US sanctions on Iranian entities and vessels involved in Iranian oil shipments to China have made it more difficult for Iran to export oil to China. Reuters reported that Iran has struggled to acquire new vessels to replace those sanctioned by the United States.[93] A British shipbroker reported that the United States has sanctioned 57 percent of the 126 oil tankers involved in Iranian crude oil trade to China.[94] China's Shandong Port Group also banned sanctioned tankers from ports in Shandong Province on January 6, where many of the sanctioned vessels unloaded Iranian oil.[95] This has made it impossible for Iran to trade tens of millions of barrels of oil and has left the oil in floating storage. This situation may worsen under US President Donald Trump's ”maximum pressure” policy, which targets Iranian oil sales.[96] These oil shipment disruptions have caused Iranian crude oil prices to rise. One of the attractions of Iranian oil to China is its cheap cost.[97] A decrease in Iranian oil exports to China could badly damage the Iranian economy, which relies heavily on oil exports.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s rejection of direct negotiations with the United States may have caused further devaluation of the rial. Iranian opposition media reported that Iran's currency fell to its lowest value, reaching nearly 940,000 rials per USD on February 10, after Khamenei’s recent speech on February 7 about negotiations with the United States.[98]
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei visited the Iran Armed Forces exhibition “Eghtedar 1403” in Tehran on February 12.[99] The exhibition displayed equipment and new technologies in air defense, ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and naval vessels. Khamenei emphasized the importance of continuous innovation in defense.[100] Khamenei separately met with officials and experts in the defense industry and emphasized the importance of national defense and security. Khamenei’s visit likely highlights Iranian efforts to address air defense vulnerabilities and reinforce military capabilities amid potential external threats, particularly in light of recent setbacks for the Axis of Resistance.[101]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-february-12-2025
Iran Update, February 13, 2025
Lebanese authorities denied an Iranian Mahan Air flight permission to land at Beirut International Airport on February 13 after Lebanese authorities received unspecified warnings from Israel.[64] Tehran International Airport chief Saeed Chalandari said that Lebanese authorities have not yet issued a permit for a Mahan Air flight to Beirut scheduled for February 14.[65] Lebanese civilians waving Hezbollah flags blocked the road outside Beirut International Airport to protest the authorities’ decision.[66] The Lebanese Armed Forces deployed forces to disperse the protestors and reopen the road.[67] The IDF Arabic-language spokesperson said on February 12 that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force had used Beirut International Airport in recent weeks to transfer funds to Hezbollah.[68] Saudi media reported on February 10 that Lebanese authorities are monitoring air traffic from Iran and Iraq into Beirut to prevent Iranian cash transfers to Hezbollah.[69] Lebanese airport security forces searched a Mahan Air flight in Beirut in early January 2025 on suspicion that it was transporting funds to Hezbollah.[70]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-february-13-2025