IranWatch Daily: August 1, 2025

Brief Notes

U.S. Sanctions Tehran’s Drone Tech Procurement Network: The U.S. Treasury has (https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0217) five entities and one individual across Iran, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China for procuring technology for the Islamic Republic’s military drone maker HESA. Tehran has not yet responded.

U.S. State Department Warns Against Travel to Iran: A statement (https://x.com/usabehfarsi/status/1951295492991697320?s=46&t=y0nry_iPWfbvqbnoLp9Kvg) to the U.S. State Department’s official Persian social media accounts read: “The Iranian regime, following the 12-Day War with Israel, is amid unprecedented paranoia and a sweeping crackdown… Anyone considering travel to Iran should reconsider their decision. We repeat: U.S. citizens should not travel to Iran!”

Supreme National Security Council Shake-Up

The Supreme Leader-controlled Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) is (https://farsnews.ir/politics/1754062339978749018) a reorganization, with Ali Larijani expected to replace Ali Akbar Ahmadian as the council’s Secretary. 

A new “Defense Council” is also being (https://farsnews.ir/politics/1754062339978749018) within the SNSC to steer national defense strategy under a revised framework. IRGC-linked Fars News (https://farsnews.ir/politics/1754062339978749018) further details will be announced soon.

Ahmadian will reportedly oversee high-level strategic dossiers, while Larijani’s appointment signals further consolidation of power in the hands of the Islamic Republic’s old guard amid mounting domestic unrest and regional challenges.

There’s a history of the Islamic Republic replacing SNSC secretaries mid-way through presidential terms. Ali Larijani himself was replaced during the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad administration (2005–2013) in his first tenure as SNSC secretary. 

The reappointment of Larijani, presented as a “moderate” by some analysts, may serve as an attempt by Tehran to project openness to diplomacy, a calculated move to deter the invocation of the UN snapback sanctions mechanism.

On the Radar

- Israel’s Channel 12 (https://www.mako.co.il/news-n12_magazine/2025_q3/Article-7fc8c1d27175891026.htm?pId=173113802&click_id=snythYTPwd) that despite a ceasefire, both Tehran and Tel Aviv are preparing for renewed conflict. The Islamic Republic is rebuilding its missile defenses and hinting at preemptive action, while Israel warns it may strike again if the Islamic Republic resumes its nuclear program.

- Yesterday, security forces (https://www.hra-news.org/2025/hranews/a-55823/) the home of the Afshar family, members of the Baha’i community in Shahin Shahr, Isfahan Province. Officers confiscated electronic devices, books, and written materials belonging to the family.

- Yesterday, members of the Pardis Gharb Mehrara Housing Cooperative in Zanjan (https://www.hra-news.org/2025/hranews/a-55827/) a protest. In a separate protest, a group of truck drivers in Bonab, East Azerbaijan Province, gathered to voice concerns over fuel shortages and high diesel prices.

- The Islamic Republic Public Prosecutor of Rafsanjan, Kerman Province, Alireza Mohammad, was (https://www.mizanonline.ir/fa/news/4849163) at his home last night by an unknown assailant who fled the scene. He underwent surgery and is in stable condition. Authorities are investigating the motive and have vowed to pursue the attacker “without leniency.”

- Senior cleric and Tehran Friday Prayer Imam Ahmad Khatami (https://www.mehrnews.com/news/6547836) in his sermon today that “if the Zionist regime breaks the truce, Tel Aviv will be destroyed once more” and turned into a “ghost town again.” He accused the U.S. of intervening in the June war to rescue Israel and condemned Western “hypocrisy” over war crimes, while praising the Islamic Republic’s resilience and national unity. Khatami claimed global protests in support of Gazans reflect a rising “hatred” of Israel and the growing influence of the Islamic Republic. The sermon was broadcast live via state-run Radio Tehran.

- The Foreign Ministry has (https://www.isna.ir/news/1404050905632) a joint statement by the U.S., UK, Canada, Germany, France, and nine other European nations condemning the Islamic Republic’s intelligence activity in their respective territories. Tehran called the accusations “ridiculous” and part of an “Iranophobic campaign.” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed the claims as a “clear projection” to deflect from Israel’s “genocide” and accused the West of hypocrisy for “hosting terrorist elements.”

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