Iran Summary – December 2025

As President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at Mar-a-Lago, Iran’s president declared his country is at “total war” with the United States, Israel, and Europe.

While Iran prioritized expanding its military capabilities, the country’s economy collapsed, with the Iranian rial’s value reaching an all-time low of 1.42 million per one U.S. dollar. The economic turmoil sparked a strike in Tehran’s bazaars, which quickly evolved into ongoing nationwide protests against the regime’s authoritarian rule—the largest demonstrations inside Iran since the 2022 “Women, Life, Freedom,” movement. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that as of January 5, 29 people have been killed during the protests including two security personnel, at least 64 have suffered injuries, and over 1,203 have been arrested by government forces.

While failing to suppress internal dissent, Iranian agents recruited spies amongst, and carried out cyberattacks on, Israeli citizens and government sectors. Meanwhile, Israeli and Syrian authorities uncovered Iranian financial networks and smuggling operations throughout the Middle East.

With assistance from Russia, Iran also advanced its technological development by launching three satellites into space, mounted on a Russian Soyuz rocket, while leaders from both countries signed agreements to strengthen their cooperation in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Meanwhile, China helped Iran evade international sanctions and foster deeper diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia.

Click here to read the December 2025 Iran Summary.