Brief Notes

IRGC Commemorates October 2024 Attack on Israel: The IRGC issued a statement on the anniversary of its October 1, 2024 missile barrage on Israel, which it calls “Operation True Promise II.” The statement says, “ The ‘True Promise II’ mission was not only a severe punishment in response to the aggressions and crimes of the enemy amid the silence of ineffectual and inactive international bodies, but also a clear message to the world and to the vile, wolf-like Zionist regime that the era of cost-free threats has ended, and that any aggression will be met with a regretful response.” Additionally, today, the IRGC held an air defense drill in the Turkmenistan-bordering province of North Khorasan. Chabahar Port Sanctions Waivers Officially End: As promised by the U.S. State Department on September 16, sanctions exemptions for Iran’s Chabahar Port, first issued in 2018 to support Afghanistan’s reconstruction and economic development, have come to an end. The State Department wrote, “This action is being taken pursuant to the counterterrorism authority E.O. 13224… directing a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran.” The statement concludes, “Once the revocation is effective, persons who operate the Chabahar Port or engage in other activities described in IFCA may expose themselves to sanctions under IFCA.” Imam Killed in Tehran: An imam was killed during prayers at a Tehran mosque today. According to initial reports, the alleged perpetrator, a 40-year-old man, “had stabbed the cleric twice, once in the abdomen and once in the leg, leaving him severely injured.” The alleged attacker was arrested at the scene. He reportedly blamed “life pressures and personal problems” for his actions. University of Tehran Explosion Kills One, Injures Two: One student was killed and two others were injured in a laboratory explosion at the Technical School of the University of Tehran. University officials said the explosion was caused by “an incident which took place during the replacement of a hydrogen gas capsule.”

Islamic Republic Continues to Deny Snapback Realities

Reacting to last Saturday’s return of UN snapback sanctions on the Islamic Republic, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani yesterday said, “The U.S. has a comprehensive plan for the region, which envisions Israel dominating it, controlling regional affairs, and cutting ties with China.” He argued that Washington has no interest in genuine negotiations, adding, “They believe this moment gives them leverage. According to reports we’ve received, the West and Israel think that by applying enough economic pressure, they can trigger social unrest in Iran.” In a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart yesterday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the snapback mechanism should be considered expired and unactivated as of October 18. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei today also condemned the G7’s support for what he characterized as the “illegal and unjustified” snapback move orchestrated by the E3 and the U.S. Additionally, Foreign Minister Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday claimed they sought to prevent the snapback of sanctions by proposing a 45-day delay and requesting a meeting with the United States, the E3, and the IAEA, but the idea was rejected. Internally, other officials are playing down the sanctions’ effects. For instance, Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said, “In the past year, the U.S. has already imposed the toughest sanctions on our oil industry, and there is nothing left for them to add.” Yesterday, Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters that Russia does not recognize the return of UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova additionally condemned the UN and the E3 for the reimposition of snapback sanctions, saying, “The UN Secretariat rushed to post a statement on its website regarding the reinstated resolution on Iran. This is a classic example of the UN Secretariat acting outside its mandate, outside its authority, in violation of international law, simply because it is biased by Westerners.”

On the Radar

An imam was killed during prayers at a Tehran mosque today. According to initial reports, the alleged perpetrator, a 40-year-old man, “had stabbed the cleric twice, once in the abdomen and once in the leg, leaving him severely injured.” The alleged attacker was arrested at the scene. He reportedly blamed “life pressures and personal problems” for his actions.
Yesterday, Newsweek reported that the U.S. has deployed military assets to the Middle East, marking an increase in American military readiness in the region. Today, in response, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said, “Whether they made the move or not, we must always be ready to defend the country, and other sectors of the nation should not be influenced by the psychological operations surrounding this issue.” He further added, “If war is imposed upon us, it is our duty as soldiers to defend the country, and we will do so as we did during the 12-Day War.”
Yesterday, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh paid an official visit to Ankara, where he met with his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler. During the meeting, Nasirzadeh stated, “Turkey, as an important country in the Islamic world and on the international stage, possesses significant economic, political, and military capacities. Expanding defense and military relations with Turkey can play an influential role in addressing the challenges facing the Islamic world and the region.” Güler expressed Turkey’s readiness to expand cooperation with the Islamic Republic.
Students’ protests in Iran are growing. In Semnan Province, medical students gathered at their university’s central office to demand better safety after a bus accident killed and injured several of their peers. Meanwhile, in Tehran, Khajeh Nasir University students protested over rising food and housing costs, the cancellation of transport services, and new social restrictions imposed by university management.