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Iran Update, June 9, 2023

Iran is establishing military storage facilities in eastern Syria, likely to facilitate Iranian weapons transfers and military entrenchment along a critical transportation route into the country. These construction projects are part of a larger Iranian effort to build military infrastructure throughout Deir ez Zor Province.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published its quarterly safeguards, verification and monitoring reports on the Iranian nuclear program on June 8, detailing significant Iranian nuclear advancements. The IAEA reports furthermore demonstrate that Iran has not resolved any of the agency's inquiries into undeclared nuclear activities—contrary to recent Western media reports.

Iranian news outlets published the finalized version of the Judiciary's Chastity and Hijab Bill on June 8. This bill demonstrates the regime's uncompromising stance on women's rights issues and continued refusal to grant sociocultural concessions in the aftermath of the Mahsa Amini movement.

The Biden administration revealed on June 9 that Iran is helping Russia build a drone manufacturing factory in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, Russia, which underscores the growing military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow despite Western sanctions.[15] National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated on June 9 that the drone factory—which the Wall Street Journal reported in February 2023 could produce at least 6,000 Iranian Shahed-136 drones—could be operational by early 2024.[16] Kirby previously announced on May 15 that Russia is seeking to purchase new drones from Iran after expending most of its Iranian drone supply.[17] A factory producing Iranian drones in Russia would support Russia's war effort against Ukraine. Russia could provide Iran with advanced military equipment that would help modernize Iran's armed forces, such as Su-35 fighter jets, attack helicopters, radars, and YAK-130 combat trainer aircraft, in return for helping construct the factory

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-june-9-2023

Iran Update, June 12, 2023

Iranian officials are promoting reports of resumed nuclear negotiations with the United States likely to generate short-term benefits for the Iranian economy.

Iranian security forces are attempting to discourage citizens from holding commemoration ceremonies for killed Mahsa Amini protesters. Security forces’ renewed violence against innocent citizens could revive anti-regime protests.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-june-12-2023