Brief Notes

Friday Prayer Leader Calls Saudi Arabia ‘America’s Milk Cow’: Leading Tehran’s Friday Prayers today, Mohammad Javad Haj Aliakbari attacked the UN and several Arab states for backing President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan, calling it a “worthless plan presented by the gambler Trump.” Calling the UN Security Council a “puppet show,” the hardline cleric insisted the plan “lacks any legitimacy” and accused the U.S. and its allies of seeking to impose “guardianship over the Palestinian nation,” singling out Saudi Arabia as “America’s milk cow.” The cleric also dismissed Western pressure over the regime’s nuclear program, mocking the recent IAEA resolution as evidence of a “discredited” agency rather than a serious challenge. Aliakbari’s sermon was broadcast live throughout the country. President Laments Lack of Support From Russia, China During 12-Day War: During a gathering of educational employees in the northwestern city of Qazvin yesterday, Islamic Republic President Masoud Pezeshkian said, “It seemed that we were friends with a number of countries. Basically, they should have helped Iran when it was attacked during the 12-Day War, but they did not,” with some domestic outlets interpreting his comments as directed at China and Russia. Pezeshkian continued, saying that states that claim partnership with the Islamic Republic “should have helped,” but ultimately stayed on the sidelines. Tehran Repatriates Prisoner From Belgium: Regime authorities yesterday announced that Belgium has returned an Iranian prisoner to the country under a bilateral exchange agreement. Asgar Jalalian, deputy head of the judiciary for human rights and international affairs, said the prisoner will serve the remainder of their sentence in Iran, though no details were given on their identity or charges. Jalalian added that more than 200 foreign nationals jailed in Iran have been repatriated since March 21, while 160 Iranians have been returned from abroad during the same period. IRGC Believes ‘War May Break Out at Any Moment’: IRGC spokesperson and senior commander Sardar Naeini warned that the regime’s armed forces are operating on the assumption that “war may break out at any moment.” He added that top commanders returned home only briefly after the 12-Day War and are now “working day and night,” accusing the regime’s adversaries of trying to keep the country in a prolonged state of anticipation and tension. Supreme Leader Attends First Night of Shia Mourning Season: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei attended the first night of mourning ceremonies for the “martyrdom of Lady Fatimah Zahra” today in Tehran. The event marks the start of a season of Shia religious commemorations and is attended by Khamenei yearly.

Tehran Threatens Further Retaliation After IAEA Resolution

The Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry has called a resolution by the IAEA “anti-Iranian” and warned of unspecified retaliatory measures, escalating tensions with the Agency. The resolution, passed yesterday by the IAEA Board of Governors, demanded that Tehran fully cooperate with inspectors, provide “precise information” on its near weapons-grade uranium stockpile, and grant access to nuclear sites damaged during the 12-Day War. Tehran’s reaction formalizes the end of the Cairo agreement, which Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi negotiated with IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi in September to resume inspections suspended after the June strikes on nuclear facilities. Araghchi sent a letter to Grossi declaring the agreement invalid, calling the resolution “illegal and unjustified.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei threatened that Tehran may take “other actions” in response to the resolution, without specifying what those actions may be. In addition, he accused the IAEA of echoing “grudges” held by the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany. Moscow has publicly backed Tehran in the dispute. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov accused European countries of obstructing a negotiated solution to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program and described the EU as the “main spoiler” of diplomatic efforts due to “political and geopolitical battles.”

On the Radar

Foreign Ministry Director for Foreign Media Alireza Miryousefi urged deeper media cooperation among Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation states, accusing Western outlets of distorting coverage of Iran and the region. At the group’s first media forum in Baku today, Miryousefi framed the 12-Day War as an “unjust” Israeli–U.S. attack, during which Tehran claims it “forced the aggressor to seek an unconditional ceasefire,” and said major outlets continue to amplify “politicized” narratives about the regime’s nuclear program. He proposed joint content production, journalist exchanges, and shared digital platforms as tools to counter it.
The Russo-Iranian Center for Economic and Legal Cooperation met with officials at the Chadian embassy in Moscow yesterday to explore investment opportunities tied to Chad’s National Development Plan. Delegates signaled strong interest in infrastructure-focused projects and pledged to pursue concrete ventures. The discussion underscored Chad’s push to “diversify partnerships beyond traditional Western allies,” deepening economic and security ties with Moscow and Tehran.
Mohammad Mehdi Seddiqi, son of hardline cleric Kazem Seddiqi, has died of cardiac arrest at age 48 while facing fraud charges tied to a high-profile Tehran land scandal. Questions remain over transparency, as Seddiqi was reportedly no longer in custody but still facing court proceedings and restitution obligations.