Iran Crisis Update, March 24, 2023
The US has become entangled in a regional escalation pattern between Iran and Israel.
Prominent Sunni cleric Moulana Abdol Hamid on March 24 responded to and challenged the main arguments that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei made in his Nowrouz address.
At least two protests occurred in two cities across two provinces.
Multiple US officials expressed alarm over the Iranian nuclear program and reiterated the US commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-march-24-2023
Iran Crisis Update, March 27, 2023
Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah have messaged that the Axis of Resistance is prepared to continue escalating against American forces in eastern Syria.
An Iranian-backed group called the Al Ghaliboun Brigade issued a statement claiming responsibility for the kamikaze drone attack that killed an American contractor.
Some Iranian proxies have tried to avoid becoming involved in the escalation cycle, possibly to keep it confined to Syria and/or prevent the US from retaliating against them.
Iranian regime officials remain split over how to enforce the mandatory hijab law in the aftermath of the Mahsa Amini protest movement.
Regime officials—regardless of whether they espouse a confrontational or “smart” approach to hijab enforcement—continue to speak about the hijab in a tone-deaf manner.
At least one protest on March 25, four protests on March 26, and one protest on March 27.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-march-27-2023