Iran and Russia have discussed plans to launch a joint shipping company amid international sanctions on both countries and expanding bilateral ties.
It quoted experts as saying that as cooperation between the two countries deepens, the Caspian Sea route is being used to move drones, ammunition, and mortar shells that the Russian government has purchased from Iran to use in Ukraine.
Last year, shipping analytics company Vortexa also reported that eleven ships that previously carried Iranian crude transported Russian oil and products since April 2022. “As more companies scale back from carrying Russian crude and products, those familiar with the sanctioned crude trade will continue using their tankers to assist Russia in exporting oil East of Suez,” Armen Azizian, a crude market analyst at Vortexa.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202306163308
Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community has, in its latest report, accused the Islamic Republic of using state-sponsored terrorism for intimidating dissidents.
The 380-page report also warns about Iranian regime’s possible abduction of dissidents in Germany.
https://twitter.com/IranIntl_En/status/1671200181914677264
Verfassungsschutzbericht 2022
https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/downloads/DE/publikationen/themen/sicherheit/BMI23007.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3
An IRGC-affiliated news outlet tracked a US-Iraqi logistics convoy, possibly to signal Iranian intent to direct an attack on US interests in Iraq.
Iranian leaders met with senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hamas officials in Tehran, likely to signal Iran will provide greater support to the groups to combat Israel. Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ahmadian meeting with senior PIJ and Hamas officials likely reflects his effort to integrate himself into Iranian policymaking vis-à-vis Israel.
The IRGC Intelligence Organization (IRGC-IO) chief framed threats to Iran in a domestic context, which indicates the organization is prioritizing internal security over external threats. Kazemi’s interview represents a continuation of the IRGC Intelligence Organization's shift away from external threats toward internal security. IRGC Intelligence Organization Chief Brigadier General Mohammad Kazemi gave an interview about the Mahsa Amini protest movement with the supreme leader's website on June 19. He accused 18 countries—including Saudi Arabia and the UAE—of abetting the Mahsa Amini movement.
Kazemi’s interview represents a continuation of the IRGC Intelligence Organization's shift away from external threats toward internal security. Kazemi replaced Hossein Taeb, who largely gave priority to external security, as IRGC Intelligence Organization chief in June 2023. [typo should be 2022][16] Taeb’s dismissal additionally followed the killing of several IRGC members in Iranian territory, suggesting he was removed due to his failure to ensure Iranian internal security. Kazemi’s interview marks his first media appearance since becoming IRGC Intelligence Organization chief in June 2022.[17]
Iran is attempting to expand economic relations with Uzbekistan, likely to improve the Iranian economy.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-june-20-2023