Iran Update, January 10, 2025
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new underground missile depot on January 10, as IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami and IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajji Zadeh visited the site.[82] The facility reportedly played a role in the Iranian missile attacks against Israel in April and October 2024.[83] The IRGC claimed that the facility contains medium-range Emad and Ghadr ballistic missiles and short-range Qiam ballistic missiles.[84]
The IRGC held the Rahiyan-eh Ghods exercise in Tehran on January 10, likely as a show of force aimed at deterring both internal dissent and external threats.[85] The Fatehin, Imam Ali, and Imam Hossein battalions, which are the Basij’s most elite and loyal units, participated in the exercise. These units are notably responsible for protest suppression and have previously been deployed abroad to deal with external security threats.[86] Commander of the IRGC Tehran Provincial Corps Brigadier General Hassan Hassan Zadeh said that the exercise was meant to showcase the Basij’s readiness to counter threats.[87] Iranian state media claimed that 110,000 Basij members participated and displayed military equipment, likely to signal that Iran has a large force to deal with any threats.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-10-2025
Iran Update, January 11, 2025
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Khuzestan Province Unit claimed that it identified and arrested a spy network linked to the intelligence services of an unspecified Persian Gulf country on January 11.[52] The IRGC claimed that the arrested individuals gathered sensitive information from critical sites in Khuzestan Province. The IRGC has transferred the suspects to judicial authorities.[53]
Iran shut down government offices and educational centers in around 22 provinces on January 11 due to energy shortages caused by a spike in gas consumption and increased electricity usage.[54] The shutdowns occurred despite weather reports indicating rising temperatures rather than a decrease.[55] The energy crisis has also sparked concerns over increased fuel consumption, with officials pointing to rising gas use in households and limited energy production capabilities.[56] Iranian media reported that educational centers in several provinces will be closed on January 12.[57] CTP-ISW previously assessed that the energy crisis could generate internal unrest in Iran.[58] Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei recently ordered Iranian security forces to prepare for potential unrest in late December 2024.[59]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-11-2025