Iran Summary – September 2025

Summary

On September 27, the United Nations reimposed extensive sanctions on Iran that the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’s (JCPOA) nuclear deal had lifted after the E3 (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) had triggered “snapback” and Iran failed to satisfy their concerns about its nuclear program. As sanctions loomed, Iran signed a $25 billion deal with Russia, permitting the Kremlin to build four new nuclear plants inside Iranian territory. Additionally, Iranian leadership vowed to evade these sanctions by selling oil to China.

In September, Iran began the process of rebuilding its nuclear program and military capabilities after the 12-Day War. Satellite imagery revealed expanded construction at Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected nuclear facility buried deeper than Fordow. The Iranian military announced plans to deploy four satellites in 2026 and appeared to begin rebuilding its damaged missile production sites. Simultaneously, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen launched at least 48 missiles and drones at Israel, more than any other month and over double the total launched during August. The Houthis also twice targeted a Dutch-flagged cargo ship transiting the Gulf of Aden, damaging it in the second attack.

Internationally, Iranian cyber criminals carried out several phishing campaigns targeting over 100 embassies’ and diplomatic agencies’ emails worldwide, as well as Israeli civilians. Iranian operations sought to interfere in regional politics in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. At home, the regime carried out at least 183 executions in September alone, surpassing 1,000 executions in 2025, while also arresting Kurdish children and teachers for participating in unions.

Click here to read the September 2025 Iran Summary.