Iran Update, March 10, 2025
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reiterated his rejection of negotiations with the United States. Khamenei rejected negotiations with Western powers during a speech to senior Iranian officials in Tehran on March 8.[17] Khamenei dismissed talks as a ”tool for imposing new restrictions” on Iran’s defense capabilities, missile range, and international partnerships. Khamenei framed Western insistence on negotiations as a ”pressure tactic” and emphasized that ”Iran will not accept any new demands.” Khamenei’s remarks come after US President Donald Trump sent a letter on March 5 proposing nuclear talks.[18] Khamenei’s remarks reinforced his speech on February 7, where he categorically rejected nuclear talks and called negotiations with the United States, “unwise, unintelligent, and dishonorable.”[19] Senior Iranian military officials, including Armed Forces General Staff Chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri, have echoed Khamenei’s rejection of negotiations since his speech on March 8.[20]
Khamenei also addressed Iran’s economic challenges during his speech and tried to downplay the impact of sanctions.[21] Khamenei demanded currency system reforms, increased investment in domestic industries, and stronger action against smuggling to stabilize the economy. It is unlikely that any of these policies would outweigh the effects of US sanctions on the Iranian economy or solve the underlying issues that plague the Iranian economy. These issues include corruption, nepotism, and the outsized role of the IRGC and parastatal organizations in the economy. Khamenei warned that Western powers aim to weaken Iran by targeting public livelihoods and claimed that Iran’s adversaries want to make Iran’s economy fail. Khamenei framed economic reforms as essential to resist Western pressure. Khamenei remarks reflected the regime’s concern over economic instability, rising inflation, national currency devaluation, and the impact of renewed US ”maximum pressure” sanctions against Iran.[22]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-march-10-2025
Iran likely seeks to exacerbate sectarian tensions in Syria to try to destabilize the Syrian interim government. Iranian media has accused the Syrian interim government of committing acts of sectarian violence. Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)-affiliated media claimed that the interim government has targeted innocent Alawite civilians with “no political affiliation,” for example.[10] An outlet linked to the Islamic Propaganda Organization separately argued on March 8 that Kurdish, Druze, and Christian groups in Syria must coordinate to ensure the success of the “Alawite uprising.” This statement may seek to encourage minority groups in Syria to band together to resist the interim government.[11] The same outlet also claimed that the possibility of “disintegration and civil war in Syria is very high.”[12] These reports focus on Syrian interim government crimes against Alawites but do not acknowledge that the recent flare-up of sectarian violence in Syria has also included sectarian killings and other extrajudicial killings perpetrated by Alawite, Assadist insurgents.[13] Former Assad regime members initiated the violence on March 6 by attacking interim government forces in Latakia Province.[14]
Iran appears to be growing increasingly frustrated with Turkey's influence in Syria and Turkish regional policy. Iranian media circulated reports that claimed that Turkey interfered in Syrian affairs and condoned the killing of Alawites. An outlet linked to the Islamic Propaganda Organization claimed that the Syrian interim government is a Turkish proxy.[15] Iran views Turkey's influence in Syria as a threat to its long-standing strategic regional objectives. Iran and Turkey's opposing interests and policies in Syria and other parts of the region could increase fissures in the Iran-Turkey relationship.
The Artesh Navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy started a three-day joint military exercise with China and Russia in the northern Indian Ocean on March 11.[59] Iran, China, and Russia annually conduct a joint naval exercise and last conducted such an exercise in March 202.[60]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-march-11-2025