Iran Update, January 26, 2025
An unspecified Iraqi diplomat told a Kurdish journalist on January 26 that the United States informed the Iraqi federal government that it plans to sanction prominent Iranian-backed Iraqi actors in Iraq.[61] The diplomat claimed that the United States plans to sanction Iranian-backed Badr Organization Secretary General Hadi al Ameri. A separate unspecified senior Iraqi official claimed that the United States plans to sanction State of Law Coalition head Nouri al Maliki.[62] CTP-ISW cannot verify this report, although the report comes as the United States has increased pressure on the Iraqi federal government to rein in and disarm Iranian-backed Iraqi militias.[63]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-26-2025
Iran Update, January 27, 2025
Reuters cited a Student News Network interview on January 27 in which Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Khatam ol Anbiya Central Headquarters Deputy Coordinator Ali Shamdani stated that Iran had purchased Su-35 fighter jets from Russia.[84] Shamdani did not elaborate on how many Su-35 fighter jets or whether they had arrived in Iran, according to Reuters. CTP-ISW has not seen the original interview at this time. An Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff-affiliated news outlet published the same interview on January 27. The outlet cut the interview into three parts and may have omitted parts of the interview. Shamdani discussed Iran’s domestic military equipment production and ”foreign” purchases in the interview clips but did not include that Iran had purchased Su-35s from Russia.[85] The outlet did tag the altered interview‘s webpage with ”Su-35,” however. Iran likely reached an agreement with Russia in late 2022 to acquire Su-35 fighter jets, potentially as part of a trade that included Iranian military support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.[86] Iran and Russia likely confirmed the Su-35 fighter jets sale, when they signed their comprehensive strategic agreement this month, which covered military and defense industry cooperation.[87] The acquisition of Su-35s could enable Iran to more readily and independently project air power relative to Iran’s current capabilities.[88]
The Iranian Artesh conducted two military exercises in western Iran on January 26 and 27.[89] The Artesh Air Force carried out the “100-helicopter Air Force” exercise at the First Air Force Combat base near Naftshahr city in Kermanshah Province. The exercise tested more than ten helicopter models, including Bell 205, 206, 209, and 214 helicopters. Artesh Ground Forces and Air Force Commanders Kiomars Heydari and Ghasem Khamoshi watched the exercise. The Artesh Ground Forces’ 35th Commando Brigade also conducted airborne and night counterterrorism exercises in Kermanshah Province.
The IRGC unveiled a new Iranian-made heavy-weight drone called the “Gaza” on January 26.[90] The “Gaza” drone has a range of up to 7,000 kilometers (km) and an operational radius of 4,000 km. The drone can carry up to at least 500 kilograms (kgs) for up to 35 hours with a maximum speed of 35 km per hour.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-27-2025