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Iran Update, February 26, 2024

The International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) disclosed to UN member states on February 26 that Iran has reduced its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium since late October 2023.[79] The Iranian regime has, according to an IAEA report, diluted some of this stockpile to 20 percent enriched uranium, thereby reducing its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium by 6.8 kilograms to 121.5 kilograms.[80] The overall Iranian stockpile of enriched uranium has continued to expand since October 2023, however.[81] Iran has also refused the entry of several weapons inspectors into the country and the inspection of undeclared nuclear material, according to the IAEA.[82]

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-february-26-2024

An investigation by Sheba Intelligence reveals that the Iranians have begun planning to establish a free economic zone on the Red Sea coast in the Ras Issa of Al-Hudaydah as part of the benefits they will gain from the war in Yemen.

The investigation quoted commercial sources confirming that Iranian companies have completed engineering plans for the region, including constructing a number of docks to receive goods and oil shipments, constructing buildings and warehouses for goods, and completing six tanks to store Iranian oil shipments.

One Yemeni businessman described the project as “a partnership between the Houthis and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps”.

Another report says: “By being present in this region, Iran can communicate with allied groups and countries such as the Houthis in Yemen or others in East Africa, or Palestinian resistance groups, besides securing and expanding its economic interests and spreading the ideology and thought of the religious revolution.”

https://shebaintelligence.uk/iran-plans-to-establish-economic-zone-with-military-agenda-in-yemens-ras-issa

This only works if there is quasi-peace in the area.

Iran Update, February 27, 2024

The United States and the United Kingdom sanctioned Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and Houthi members on February 27.[41] The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the United Kingdom designated the following individuals and organizations:

IRGC Quds Force Deputy Commander Mohammad Reza Falahzadeh for generating revenue to fund Houthi operations
Houthi member Ibrahim al Nashiri

A Hong Kong-based shipping company that was responsible for facilitating the transport of Iranian commodities sold in China by the Said Jamal network. Said Jamal is a Houthi and IRGC Quds Force financial facilitator sanctioned by the United States on January 12.[42]
Falahzadeh has played a key role in supporting and financing Houthi, Hamas, and Hezbollah operations.[43] OFAC stated that the IRGC Quds Force and the Houthis sell Iranian commodities to foreign buyers to generate funds to support the Houthis. The US State Department designated the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Group in January 2024.[44] The US State Department designated the entire IRGC–including the Quds Force–as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in April 2019.[45]

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-february-27-2024