December 11
International: Britain, France, and Germany signaled their intent to the U.N. Security Council to trigger a “snap back” of international sanctions on Iran to deter it from producing a nuclear weapon. Under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which enshrined the 2015 nuclear deal, parties to the agreement can employ this mechanism up until Oct. 18, 2025, when the resolution will expire.
December 12
Nuclear: Iran agreed to additional monitoring by the U.N. nuclear watchdog at the Fordow nuclear site through increased inspections and intensity of safeguard measures. Iran recently accelerated the pace of its uranium enrichment at the underground site, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Nuclear: Israeli military officials told Israeli media that the air force was preparing for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear site under the assumption that Iran will move forward with its nuclear program. The weakening of Iranian allies Hezbollah and Hamas coupled with the fall of the Assad regime provided Israel with an opportunity to disable Iranian nuclear capabilities, according to Israeli media.
December 13
International: The number of spies arrested in Israel who were gathering intelligence for Iran over the past year was unprecedented, reaching over 30 Israeli nationals, according to the Israeli Police. Most were not trained operatives, but the photographs and video they took of the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel were useful for Iran’s targeting of the base in its October 2024 ballistic strike.
December 14
International: Hezbollah lost its supply route through Syria, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, acknowledged in a televised address. But he said the situation could change with time that the group will search for alternative options for obtaining supplies or seek a re-establishment of the route under “a new regime.” Qassem did not directly mention the rebel coalition ruling much of Syria or former President Bashar al Assad.
Domestic: Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Iranian court for his work at Radio Farda and alleged collaboration “with the hostile U.S. government.”
December 15
Domestic: A woman was arrested by Iranian authorities after posting a video of her singing without a hijab. The concert recording, a clear act of defiance, went viral. The charges for Parastoo Ahmadi were not revealed, but the arrest came after a parliament passed a new law for stricter modesty requirements on November 30.