Iran has reportedly signalled its willingness to resume negotiations with the United States if its “rights” — which refers to its right to enrich uranium on Iranian soil — are guaranteed.[1] Iran's demand violates the stated US red line that Iran must halt all domestic uranium enrichment to resume negotiations.[2] Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in a letter to convey Iran's openness to negotiations with the United States, “provided its rights are guaranteed,” on his recent visit to Washington, DC, according to two regional sources with knowledge of the matter who spoke to Reuters on November 20.[3] Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi said on November 20 that Iran will not negotiate its right to enrich uranium in an interview with The Economist.[4]
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a resolution on November 20 that mandates Iran to immediately inform the IAEA about the status of its enriched uranium and damaged nuclear facilities.[5] IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that Iran has not yet submitted a report on its highly enriched uranium stockpile and nuclear sites. Israel and the United States struck nuclear sites that reportedly held the stockpile in June 2025. Iran continues to block IAEA access to these facilities.[6]
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian continues to emphasize the urgency of Tehran’s water shortage crisis, likely to create broader support for the evacuation of the city. Pezeshkian stated on November 19 that evacuation from Tehran is necessary due to the city's inability to support the population's water consumption.[7] The successful evacuation of a city as large as Tehran would require large-scale public support to ensure an orderly evacuation, reduce friction, and ultimately, prevent widespread protest against the measure. Some Iranian climatologists and a former official have called Pezeshkian‘s calls to ration Tehran‘s water supply and move the capital infeasible.[8] An unconfirmed report from an Iranian water expert stated on November 14 that the areas of Tehran that consume the most dam water would be evacuated first.[9] The first, second, and third districts in northern Tehran, which are generally considered wealthier areas, reportedly account for 50 percent of the city's water consumption, according to Tehran Provincial Water Company data.[10] CTP-ISW has not observed any indications that Iran has begun taking steps for evacuation at the time of writing.
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-november-20-2025/
Iran Update, November 21, 2025
Iranian defense officials examined aircraft and air defense assets at the 2025 Dubai Airshow from November 17 to 21. Iranian Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasir Zadeh and Intelligence Protection Organization Head Brigadier General Rahim Yaghoubi led an Iranian delegation to the airshow in the United Arab Emirates.[29] The Iranian Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Ministry oversees the Iranian defense-industrial complex and manages Iranian arms sales and purchases.[30] Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS)-affiliated Defa Press reported that the trip is part of Iran’s “defense diplomacy” to strengthen regional engagement and explore new opportunities for cooperation. [31] The airshow featured drones, air defense systems, and aircraft, including Russian Su-57 fighter jets.[32] Iran did not display any military equipment in the airshow, which suggests that Nasir Zadeh was at the airshow to determine possible future Iranian defense purchases.[33]
The United States sanctioned over 50 entities, individuals, and vessels on November 20 for facilitating illicit Iranian oil exports that support Iran’s armed forces and proxies in the region.[34] The US State Department reported that Iran has relied on oil revenue to rebuild its military following the Israel-Iran War.[35] The United States sanctioned several entities linked to the AFGS-affiliated Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company (Sepehr Energy Jahan). The US Treasury previously sanctioned Sepehr Energy Jahan in 2023 for generating revenue for the Iranian Defense Ministry.[36] Sepehr Energy Jahan utilizes a network of front companies and shadow fleets to sell billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil annually.[37] The United States also sanctioned seven aircraft operated by Mahan Air.[38] The United States originally designated Mahan Air in October 2011 for ”providing financial, material, and technological support” to the IRGC Quds Force and supporting its efforts to supply weapons to members of the Axis of Resistance, including the former Bashar al Assad regime in Syria and Lebanese Hezbollah.[39] The United States also sanctioned seven vessels involved in Iran’s petroleum trade.[40] At least some of the vessels may have been involved in ship-to-ship transfers to obfuscate illicit Iranian oil exports, according to commercially available maritime data.
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-november-21-2025/