News Digest: Week of October 14

October 19, 2024

October 14

International: The European Union adopted new sanctions against Iranian individuals and firms in connection with weapons transfers to Russia. The sanctions targeted Deputy Defense Minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, senior officials in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force, three Iranian airlines, two procurement firms, and two companies involved in weapons production. 

International: The Biden Administration warned Iran to stop plotting against former President Donald Trump and former U.S. government personnel, according to a U.S. official. The U.S. government said that it would consider any attempt on Trump’s life as an act of war.

 

October 15

Domestic: A fire at the Pars Petro Shustar refinery in Iran killed one person and injured others. Local authorities said that the incident was caused by “a tanker collision with gasoline tanks.” The fire was still under investigation.

International: The Biden administration sent a team of U.S. military personnel along with an advanced Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) to Israel to defend against future missile attacks by Iran and its proxy groups. A Pentagon spokesperson said that about 100 U.S. troops would arrive in Israel to help set up the air defense system.

Military: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will make its decision regarding a retaliatory attack on Iran “based on Israel’s national security needs.” The statement was in response to media reports about his willingness to abide by U.S. opposition to attacks on Iran’s nuclear and oil facilities.

 

October 16

International: Israeli citizen Vladimir Verhonsky was indicted on charges of conspiracy to assassinate an Israeli scientist in coordination with Iran. Verhonsky made contact with Iranian intelligence services in August 2024. The plan to kill the Israeli figure was the latest in a series of tasks like gathering intelligence and painting graffiti for cash transfers. 

Military: Iranian atomic energy spokesperson Behrouz Kamalvandi said that an Israeli strike on nuclear facilities was improbable and that any attack would be “quickly compensated.”

International: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and King Abdullah II in Jordan. They discussed Israeli escalation in Gaza and Lebanon and agreed on the need to stop the war. Safadi said that “Jordan will not be a battlefield for anyone, and will not allow any party to violate its sovereignty and airspace and threaten the security of its citizens.”

 

October 17

International: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Egyptian President Abdel-Fatteh el Sissi in Cairo where they discussed efforts to de-escalate the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. It was the first diplomatic visit to Egypt by a senior Iranian official in about a decade.

International: Israel’s security cabinet was told that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was likely killed in an operation in Gaza. Hamas had not commented on the status of Sinwar. 

 

October 18

International: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian, Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Armenian officials in Istanbul to discuss efforts to promote stability in the south Caucasus. Iran wanted to collaborate on economic exchanges and a regional framework for peace with its neighbors.

Military: Two classified U.S. documents, assessing Israel’s preparations for attacking Iranian targets, were leaked on Telegram. The documents detailed the potential use of long range air-launched ballistic missile systems. The documents did not contain information on specific targets or when the attack would occur.

 

October 19

International: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Hamas’ Shura Council leader Mohammad Ismail Darwish in Istanbul where they discussed ceasefire efforts and Iran’s continued support for Palestinian militia groups. Aragchi also met with Hamas Deputy Political Bureau Chairman Khalil al Hayya and senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk.

Some of the information in this article was originally published on October 15, 2024.