Iran Crisis Update, January 25, 2023
Grievances related to deteriorating economic conditions and essential service provision have generated most protest activity in Iran in recent days.
The pro-Pahlavi Mashhad Neighborhood Youth urged protesters to continue their struggle against the regime on January 25.
At least three protests occurred in three cities across two provinces
Prominent Sunni cleric Moulana Abdol Hamid criticized the “intensification of security atmosphere” on January 25, referencing the reported increase of security forces in Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchistan Province.
The Supreme Economic Coordination Council (SECC) convened on January 25 to discuss stabilizing the Iranian rial and operations at the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Iranian media outlets reported a ten-minute internet outage.
Artesh Southwestern Regional Headquarters Commander Brigadier General Hamzeh Bidadi announced the confiscation of smuggled arms near Abadan, Khuzestan Province.
Law Enforcement Command (LEC) Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan stated that the LEC is prioritizing expanding Iran’s “security umbrella” during a meeting in Khorasan Razavi Province.
IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri met with newly appointed Law Enforcement Commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Reza Radan.
Anti-regime Black Reward hacker group leaked documents on January 25 suggesting that the regime permitted the Imam Sadegh University to engage in cryptocurrency activities, despite ongoing Iranian cryptocurrency restrictions.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-crisis-update-january-25-2023
Iran Crisis Update, January 26, 2023
Ongoing disruptions to Iranian energy supplies may be generating severe air pollution.
The Iranian Neighborhood Youth Union (INYU) is apparently trying to cooperate with foreign governments and possibly the Iranian diaspora to isolate the regime internationally.
Security forces have reportedly maintained their heightened presence around Zahedan, Sistan, and Baluchistan Province, likely in preparation for the weekly Friday sermon from prominent Sunni cleric Moulana Abdol Hamid.
At least two protests occurred in two cities across two provinces.
Shiraz City Governor Lotfollah Shibani announced on January 26 that local merchants are required to deny services to unveiled women.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi blamed the Mahsa Amini protest movement on a cultural schism between Iranian youth and the values of the Islamic Republic on January 26.
Iranian media circulated a survey demonstrating limited domestic engagement with regime-endorsed social media outlets on January 26.
Protesters gathered outside the Iraqi Central Bank in Baghdad, Basra, Dhi Qar, and Diwaniyah to protest ongoing economic crises.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-crisis-update-january-26-2023