Brief Notes

Official Confirms Missile Test: IRGC-linked Tasnim News yesterday reported that a Semnan Province official confirmed: “People in the provinces of Golestan, Semnan, western Razavi Khorasan, northern Isfahan, and parts of South Khorasan witnessed a bright light in the sky, which was caused by missile tests conducted inside the country. These actions are part of planned programs to assess domestic capabilities, and there is no cause for concern for citizens.”

Resolution to Block Snapback Fails

A UN Security Council draft resolution aimed at halting the reimposition of snapback sanctions on Tehran failed to pass, allowing snapback to move forward. Only China, Russia, Pakistan, and Algeria backed the resolution, falling short of the nine votes necessary to pass. This resolution is likely the last formal attempt, notwithstanding a last-minute deal, to block the September 28 implementation of snapback measures triggered by E3 countries late last month. European diplomats say the IAEA can and must continue the technical process of engaging Tehran. However, the E3 has its own conditions, and they need to be met in order for European powers not to go through with snapback, regardless of what is agreed on with the IAEA. Reports indicate that the E3 are demanding the full resumption of IAEA safeguards, tangible steps such as reports and renewed access, the resumption of talks between Washington and Tehran on a comprehensive deal rather than an interim HEU offer, and immediate action on the uranium stockpile, not just a roadmap, in order to pause the implementation of snapback measures. Russian UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya condemned the snapback move following today’s vote, saying, “[The E3’s] only goal now is to use the council as a tool for their bad faith play.” Following this news, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in a televised interview, “Within the framework of the Security Council, [the snapback mechanism] does not mean that the sanctions return immediately today. Rather, it will take about seven to eight more days. Naturally, the psychological effects of such a measure must already be taken into account and managed by the relevant bodies.” Earlier today, one of Tehran’s Friday Prayer Imams, Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, downplayed the impact of snapback, describing it as a form of psychological warfare. He said, “Although our diplomatic apparatus is properly fulfilling its duties, it should be noted that after overcoming the crippling sanctions, these matters are mostly psychological in nature and a trick to mislead public opinion. Such games will never deceive us.” He added, “As the Supreme Leader has stated, the current situation is neither war nor peace, but rather an opportunity for work, initiative, and reliance on domestic capabilities.” Similarly, Deputy Commander of the IRGC, Yadollah Javani, today said, “Our defeated enemy threatens us with the return of sanctions, which is mostly psychological warfare because they have already imposed every sanction they were capable of over the years.”

On the Radar

Following a surge in crackdowns on abortion in Iran, a defendant who had carried out abortions in Hormozgan Province has been tried and sentenced to death, with the case now under review by the Supreme Court.
In the same week as the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s murder, Tehran Friday Prayer Imam Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari said, “Unfortunately, in the face of [Western influence], some officials fell into negligence, inaction, or misconduct, which led to harm for part of our young society, especially girls. However, the reality is that the overwhelming majority of the Iranian people, both women and men, support modesty and hijab, and those who may have been affected constitute only a minority.”
On September 17, Tajik ambassador to Iran Nizomiddin Zohidi met with Mohammad Amin Aghamiri, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, to discuss bilateral cybersecurity cooperation. The National Information Agency of Tajikistan, Khovar, reported, “The sides exchanged views on cooperation in cyberspace, the digital economy, information security, and a joint project to promote the common culture and civilization of the two countries.”
On September 16, the U.S. announced it would revoke its sanctions waiver on Iran’s Chabahar Port, a move that Indian local media say could significantly affect India, which has been developing the site as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia. The U.S. State Department confirmed the decision will take effect on September 29, warning that anyone operating in the port “may expose themselves to sanctions.” This comes amid broader U.S.–India trade tensions, with Washington imposing a 50% tariff on India, including a 25% penalty linked to Delhi’s Russian fuel purchases.