Regime officials and entities are endorsing an expansive, collective-punishment model to implement mandatory veiling laws as anti-regime demonstrations enter their fourth consecutive month.
The Iranian regime is likely escalating against Prominent Sunni Cleric Moulana Abdol Hamid in an attempt to quell ongoing demonstrations throughout Sistan and Baluchistan Province.
At least three protests occurred in three cities across three provinces.
WhatsApp established a feature that allows Iranians to partially circumvent regime-imposed internet restrictions.
An Iranian court sentenced a detained protester to death on December 5 for purportedly leading anti-regime demonstration efforts in Mazandaran Province.
Anti-regime outlet Iran International claimed that the IRGC sanctioned the January 3 death of IRGC officer and Tehran Basij Commander Ghasem Fathollahi.
Iran International alleged that an IRGC Intelligence Organization-affiliated actor assassinated Fathollahi in his home after intelligence officials concluded that Fathollahi was communicating with protesters, citing an inside source.[17] Regime officials previously reported Fathollahi died in a burglary on his home that was unrelated to ongoing protests.[18] Some social media users have speculated that Iran International's narrative is an information operation by the regime aimed at obfuscating the possibility that anti-regime protesters killed Fathollahi.[19] CTP cannot independently verify either of these claims.
Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council may weaponize investigations into Soleimani’s death to target pro-Western entities in Iraq.
Head of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq Faiq Zaidan announced that Iraq's judiciary will pursue legal action against Iraqi and foreign individuals accused of assisting in the assassination of former IRGC Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.[25] Pro-Iranian political actors may use the low investigative threshold to retaliate against pro-US officials from the Kadhimi Administration.
Lebanese Hezbollah Deputy Secretary Naim Qassem met with Supreme Leader Foreign Affairs Advisor Ali Akbar Velayati in Tehran on January 5.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-crisis-update-january-5-2023
A single Iranian attack drone found to contain parts from more than a dozen US companies
https://freerepublic.com/focus/news/4042550/posts?page=3223#3223
The Iranian regime failed to suppress demonstrations in Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchistan Province on January 6.
Confusing messaging from prominent protest organizations may risk further reducing protest activity.
At least two protests occurred in two cities across two provinces.
Several Friday Prayer Leaders stressed the importance of enforcing mandatory veiling laws on January 6.
The US Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned seven individuals associated with Iranian drone and ballistic missile sales to Russia [15] OFAC sanctioned six executives and board members of the Qods Aviation Industries (QAI) and the director of Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO). QAI primarily produces Mohajer-6 drones which have been used by Russian forces in Ukraine. AIO Director Nader Khoon Siavash was sanctioned for his participation in the production and sale of Iranian ballistic missiles to foreign buyers. Iran and Russia have continued to pursue closer and mutually beneficial security cooperation in recent months.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-crisis-update-january-6-2023