Iran has reportedly brokered secret talks between Russia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels over the potential transfer of advanced Russian anti-ship missiles to the rebel group. The system in question, called Yakhont (also known as P-800 Oniks), is a supersonic cruise missile that would enhance the Houthis' ability to strike ships in the Red Sea and pose a significant threat to U.S. and European warships in the region.
News Briefs
September 24, 2024
-- Reuters
September 22, 2024
Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile called Jihad during a military parade marking Sacred Defense week. Developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, Jihad is an optimized version of the Qiam liquid-fueled ballistic missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers and a guided warhead. Iran also displayed a launch vehicle that can carry two missiles rather than one.
-- Iran International
September 18, 2024
The Houthis fired a ballistic missile that traveled some 2,000 kilometers toward Israel before being partially intercepted by Israeli air defenses. A day later, the group released footage of the solid-fuel missile used in the attack, dubbed Palestine 2, which resembled the Iranian Kheibar Shekan. The group claimed the missile had hypersonic maneuvering capabilities, but Israel's military disputed the claim.
-- Alma Research and Education Center
September 14, 2024
Iran launched the Chamran-1 satellite into a 550-kilometer orbit using its Ghaem-100 rocket, the second successful launch of the rocket in 2024. The three-stage, solid-fuel rocket was built by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and launched from a mobile launcher near the city of Shahroud. The satellite, whose purpose was to test orbital maneuvering technologies, was built by the Aerospace Research Institute.
-- Associated Press
September 10, 2024
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia had received Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles from Iran. In response to the transfer, the United States imposed further restrictions on Iran Air and announced sanctions targeting 10 individuals and nine entities, including Russian-flagged vessels allegedly involved in delivering weapons from Iran to Russia. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom also pledged sanctions on Iran Air. Iran denied supplying the missiles to Russia.
-- Reuters
September 8, 2024
Iraqi banks used a U.S. Federal Reserve-managed system designed after the invasion of Iraq in 2003 to covertly transfer billions to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militias, according to a journalistic report. The special arrangement allowed Iraqi banks to use funds held at the U.S. Federal Reserve for international trade without disclosing who would receive the funds for each transaction. As a result, U.S. officials estimate that up to 80% of the $250 million in daily wire transfers through Iraqi banks were untraceable. A subsequent investigation by the Federal Reserve revealed that more than 24 Iraqi banks, including three operated by prominent financier Ali Ghulam (Iraqi Middle East Investment Bank, Al Ansari Islamic Bank, and Al Qabidh Islamic Bank), were involved in suspicious transfers. All of the banks have been banned from conducting transactions in dollars.
-- Wall Street Journal
August 29, 2024
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran has continued to expand its uranium enrichment activities, adding eight more IR-6 centrifuge cascades at Fordow and increasing its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent by more than 22 kg, to a total of 164.7 kg. Despite calls for greater transparency, Iran has not offered new information about uranium traces at undeclared sites.
-- Reuters
August 16, 2024
Anonymous Western security officials said that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is seeking assistance from two Chinese satellite companies to enhance its surveillance capabilities. According to the sources, IRGC personnel have held multiple exchanges with company officials from Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. and MinoSpace Technology Co., both of which offer equipment that would help Iran improve its satellites. The parties have not concluded any formal agreements yet, however.
-- Washington Post
August 14, 2024
Federal officials arrested Jeffrey Chance Nader, a U.S.-Iranian national, in California following his indictment for unlawfully exporting U.S.-manufactured aircraft components to Iran, including parts used in military aircraft like the F-4 fighter jet. Beginning in 2023, Nader and his associates allegedly coordinated the purchase and shipment of aircraft parts through his California-based business, Pro Aero Capital, intending to send them to Iran via the United Arab Emirates. The Department of Commerce seized the components before they were shipped.
-- U.S. Department of Justice
August 12, 2024
Iran displayed the Mohajer-10 long-range drone, a more advanced version of the Mohajer-6, at a defense exhibition in Moscow. According to Iranian media, the Mohajer-10 can carry a payload of 300 kg and remain in the air for up to 24 hours.
-- Reuters