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
Iran has embraced an offensive regional strategy to adapt for modern conflict and pursue external objectives more effectively. This shift means more aggressively empowering the so-called Axis of Resistance and expanding Iranian regional influence.
Regime officials are responding to their evolving threat perceptions and acting on their growing confidence in their defensive capabilities. They now view their conflict against the US as hybrid in nature, rather than conventional.
Iran is building an increasingly capable and cohesive coalition of state security services and foreign militias to execute its rulers’ offensive concepts. This coalition fuses conventional and unconventional means to threaten enemies.
The US must develop its Iran policy past just nuclear negotiations. The US needs a comprehensive strategy that contains the growing threat from the Axis of Resistance while maintaining deterrence and preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iran Update, June 21, 2023
The Syrian regime is leveraging regional normalization with Arab states to fund the reconstruction of Syria’s railways, which could block some Iranian efforts to secure revenue from such projects. The reconstruction of Syria’s rail infrastructure is likely to facilitate Iranian efforts to generate revenue through greater regional trade, nonetheless.
Iran is seeking to leverage arms sales to generate revenue for the Iranian economy.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-june-21-2023