Iran Crisis Update, March 14, 2023
The Iranian government is prioritizing mandatory veiling amidst poor economic conditions, recent student poisonings, and heightened protest activity.
Protesters escalated against the regime on March 14.
At least 20 protests occurred in 14 cities across eight provinces.
Some regime officials are continuing to deny that the recent attacks on Iranian school girls were poisonings.
Iran and Bahrain could be considering normalizing their relations following the Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement.
Iranian proxy Badr-affiliated Iraqi officials rhetorically targeted Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani for his handling of security operations in Diyala, likely to deter him from interfering in Badr operations in Diyala.
Iran deployed proxy forces along the Al Mayadin-Abu Kamal segment of the Route Four highway likely to improve local operational security conditions.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-march-14-2023
Iran Crisis Update, March 15, 2023
Hardline officials are promoting conservative reforms, which will likely generate additional calls for political change in Iran.
Four protests occurred in four cities across three provinces.
Information and Communication Technology Minister Issah Zahreh Pour confirmed reports of a country-wide, and hour-long internet disruption recorded on March 15.
Supreme National Security Council-aligned Nour News Agency reported that Secretary Ali Shamkhani will travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to meet with Emirati National Security Advisor Tahnoon bin Zayed al Nahyan on March 16.
An unidentified person crossed into Israel from Lebanon and detonated a roadside bomb outside Megido Prison, approximately five kilometers from the northern West Bank border on March 13.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani ordered Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to conduct raids in Al Khalis, Diyala Province, Iraq on March 15.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-march-15-2023