Brief Notes

Despite Regime Crackdowns, Public Discontent Reaches Streets: Two individuals dressed as Artesh (the conventional Iranian Army, as opposed to the Islamic Republic’s IRGC) officers raised the pre-1979 lion-and-sun flag of Iran in a Tehran metro station today. Initial reports say authorities “quickly intervened” to stop the individuals. Additionally, Reza Amini, the mayor of Ahvaz, located in Iran’s Khuzestan Province, has resigned after 21-year-old Ahmad Baledi self-immolated in protest after an eviction order was issued against his father’s food stall. Baledi’s father refused to collect his son’s body until municipal officials stepped down, fueling local outrage towards the regime. In Mashhad, nurses held a third consecutive day of demonstrations outside the city’s medical university. IRGC-IO Claims to Dismantle Another ‘Spy Network’: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization (IRGC-IO) says it has dismantled what it called a network of “spies” and “saboteurs” operating “under the guidance of U.S. and Zionist intelligence services inside the country.” The group was reportedly uncovered through a series of operations throughout Iran, including Kerman Province. The Kerman Province public prosecutor, Mehdi Bakhshi, said the group had “planned to take measures against national security later this fall,” adding that Israel was trying to “compensate” for its “failure in the 12-Day War.” This comes after yesterday’s separate announcement that the IRGC-IO identified and arrested several members of Iran Academia, a Netherlands-based educational program accused of promoting a “soft overthrow” of the Islamic Republic. U.S. Treasury Sanctions Regime Networks Based in Germany, Ukraine, Turkey: The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC designated 32 individuals and entities based in Iran, the UAE, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, Ukraine for operating procurement networks supporting the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile and UAV programs. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley said of the new designations, “Across the globe, Iran exploits financial systems to launder funds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies. At the direction of President Trump, we are putting maximum pressure on Iran to end its nuclear threat. The United States also expects the international community to fully implement UN snapback sanctions on Iran to cut off its access to the global financial system.” Nine in Ten Iranians Unhappy With Nation’s ‘Current Situation’: Today, a Tehran-based news outlet, Rouydad24, published the results of a confidential poll conducted by the state-controlled Iranian Students Polling Agency (ISPA), which show that 92% of Iranians are dissatisfied with “the country’s current situation.” The poll, which was originally intended for internal use and not meant to be seen by the public, found widespread frustration across regions and administrations, with Pezeshkian’s current administration ranking among the least popular. According to Rouydad24, “the most striking outcome was widespread discontent among respondents across all parts of the country.” Iran’s Water Crisis Continues: Newly published satellite imagery of Iran’s major lakes, rivers, and reservoirs highlights the dramatic drops in water levels seen throughout the country compared to only a year ago. Last week, President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that if rain does not arrive within two weeks, Tehran will ration water, and if skies stay shut two weeks more, parts of the capital could face evacuation.

State TV Frames Iraqi Election as ‘Transition From Dictatorship to Democracy’

The Islamic Republic in Iran is pre-emptively attempting to brand any wins by its Shia proxies in yesterday’s Iraqi elections as the Iraqi people’s choice rather than a Tehran-orchestrated effort. As Iraqis wait for the results of yesterday’s parliamentary elections, Tehran’s Iraq-facing Arabic-language Al-Alam TV today framed the vote as a “massive democratic day” and a milestone in Iraq’s “transition from dictatorship to democracy.” Al-Alam’s morning talk show host, Sabah Jadeed, said, “Iraq stands at a pivotal juncture in its democratic experiment, with parliamentary elections that are reshaping the balance of power and revealing the sentiments of the Iraqi public after years of political, security, and economic challenges.” Al-Alam, owned by Islamic Republic state broadcaster IRIB, also repeatedly highlighted that voter turnout reportedly topped 55%, “a clear increase in participation compared to previous elections.”

On the Radar

IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News today claimed that YouTube removed its Hebrew-language “documentary,” which glorified the Islamic Republic’s missile attacks on Israel during the 12-Day War. This comes as the regime has ramped up efforts to reach Israeli audiences, with state-run IRIB chief Peyman Jebeli recently saying that the production of Hebrew content is an “intrinsic and fundamental mission” of the organization.
Law enforcement in Iran’s Kermanshah Province announced the seizure of a major shipment of weapons “being illegally brought into the country” near the border with Iraq. Authorities stated the seizure included 17 handguns, four Kalashnikov rifles, and “significant amounts” of ammunition.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi held a phone call today to discuss regional and bilateral issues. The ministers discussed developments in the Middle East and at the IAEA, accusing the UK, France, and Germany of launching an “anti-Iranian” campaign. Among the discussions was the U.S.-proposed Gaza peace plan, which Araghchi claimed “contradicts the principles of independence and the right to self-determination of the Palestinian nation and cannot lead to success.”
A member of the Basij militia, controlled by the IRGC, has died from injuries sustained during an attack on the Khash-Zahedan motorway in Sistan-Baluchestan Province on October 31. This comes after two other members of the Basij were killed in the same incident.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed Esmail Saghab Isfahani to head the newly established Organization for Energy Optimization and Strategic Management. Pezeshkian instructed Isfahani to implement “effective steps” for sustainable energy development, efficiency improvements, and management restructuring across state agencies. The organization, founded in January, aims to enhance long-term planning amid Iran’s ongoing energy crisis, including rising consumption and widening deficits.