Thousands of residents in northern Tehran gathered at Imamzadeh Saleh Mosque on Friday, November 14, to pray for rain as Iran faces one of its worst droughts in decades. Local officials reported that rainfall in the capital has dropped to its lowest level in a century, with half of the country’s provinces experiencing months without precipitation. The government has begun rationing water supplies for Tehran’s 10 million residents, implementing periodic shutdowns to conserve resources. President Masoud Pezeshkian recently warned that if rain does not arrive before winter, authorities might need to consider relocating residents, though officials later clarified he intended only to highlight the severity of the situation. Five major dams supplying Tehran are nearly empty, with one completely dry and another below 8% capacity. Nationwide, rainfall this year has reached only 152 millimeters—40% below the 57-year average—raising fears of worsening water shortages across Iran.

The United States has announced a new round of sanctions against Iran, targeting individuals and entities allegedly involved in supporting the country’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said 32 people and organizations across Iran, the UAE, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine have been sanctioned. Washington accuses these networks of aiding Iran’s weapons development, while Tehran maintains that its missile and drone programs are purely defensive and its nuclear activities are peaceful. The move underscores ongoing tensions between the two nations over Iran’s military capabilities and regional influence.

Iran commemorated the 14th death anniversary of Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, widely regarded as the father of the country’s missile program. Born in 1959 in Tehran, Moghaddam played a pivotal role during the Iran-Iraq War in developing Iran’s indigenous missile capabilities. As a key figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), he led the creation of the artillery and missile units that later produced Iran’s first domestically made missiles. Under his leadership, Iran developed the Shahab and Zelzal series, laying the foundation for modern Iranian missile technology. Moghaddam also assisted in establishing Hezbollah’s first missile unit in Lebanon. He was killed in a 2011 explosion at a military base near Tehran, along with 16 colleagues, and was buried with state honors. His legacy continues to shape Iran’s defense and aerospace ambitions.

Iran has expressed willingness to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan to defuse escalating tensions along their shared border. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the offer during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, according to Iranian media. Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s readiness to assist in promoting peace, urging both countries to engage in deeper dialogue and foster mutual understanding for sustainable stability. He noted that the leaders of both nations agreed to continue cooperation aimed at maintaining regional peace and preventing further conflict. The two sides also discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and broader international issues. Araghchi voiced concern over the deteriorating border situation and emphasized Iran’s commitment to regional diplomacy and constructive engagement to avert further escalation.

Iran has reportedly approached the United States about lifting sanctions imposed over its alleged nuclear weapons program. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is open to discussions, expressing readiness to “listen” and explore possibilities for relief. The sanctions, imposed by both the UN and the U.S., have placed severe economic pressure on Iran. Trump claimed recent airstrikes—carried out by Israel and briefly joined by the U.S.—completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities, though the full extent of the damage remains uncertain. Iran maintains that its nuclear efforts are peaceful. Oman, which previously hosted U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations, has again called for renewed dialogue aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump’s remarks have raised hopes of a possible thaw in long-frozen U.S.–Iran relations.

Iran has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent large-scale military operations in Lebanon, describing them as a grave breach of Lebanese sovereignty and international law. In a statement on Friday, Tehran’s Foreign Ministry called the attacks “heinous crimes” that endanger regional peace and security. Iran urged the United Nations and the international community to intervene immediately to stop what it termed Israel’s “war hysteria.” The statement warned that continued silence could bring dire consequences for the Middle East. According to Tehran, more than a thousand Lebanese civilians have been killed or wounded since the 2025 ceasefire, with major infrastructure destroyed. Iran accused the United States of direct involvement and reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s government and resistance forces defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has stated that his country will not cooperate with the United States unless Washington withdraws its support for Israel and ceases its intervention in the Middle East. Speaking at a student gathering in Tehran on November 3, Khamenei said that if the U.S. stops backing Israel, removes its military bases from the region, and ends its interference in regional affairs, then Iran could consider cooperation. He accused the United States of arrogance and of only understanding submission.

The remarks came during an event marking the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, which followed the overthrow of the Western-backed Shah. Relations between Iran and the U.S. have worsened after Israel’s airstrikes in June that triggered a brief regional war involving both nations. The conflict left hundreds dead and disrupted ongoing nuclear negotiations. Although a ceasefire was later brokered through Qatar, tensions remain high. Khamenei emphasized that Iran’s security depends on its strength and the deterrence it poses to enemies. Since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, Iran has faced mounting sanctions and economic hardships.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent order to resume nuclear weapons testing. Araghchi described the decision as “retrogressive and irresponsible,” calling the United States a “nuclear-armed occupying monster.” In a statement on October 30, he accused Washington of renaming its Department of Defense as a “Department of War,” revealing the true character of the U.S. government. He further warned that the U.S. is maligning Iran’s peaceful nuclear program while threatening attacks on Iran’s secure facilities, actions he said violate international law. Araghchi condemned what he described as America’s long-standing hypocrisy—criticizing Iran’s nuclear program while pursuing its own weapons testing. He added that the U.S. is the world’s greatest nuclear proliferation risk and cautioned that its actions threaten international peace and security. President Trump justified the testing as a response to other countries’ nuclear programs, claiming the U.S. arsenal remains the world’s largest.

Iran, China, and Russia have jointly sent a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, declaring that all provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 have expired as of October 18. The letter, announced by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, also condemns the UK, France, and Germany’s attempt to trigger the snapback mechanism as illegal. According to Gharibabadi, the letter emphasizes that the IAEA’s verification and monitoring reports related to Iran, established under Resolution 2231 and the 2015 Board of Governors’ decision, should now cease. He noted that the relevant resolution required the issue to remain on the IAEA’s agenda for a maximum of 10 years or until a final comprehensive report was issued — whichever came first. Thus, from October 18, the matter should be automatically removed from the agency’s agenda, requiring no further action.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in Mashhad that Tehran will not return to talks with the United States so long as Washington maintains what he called "unreasonable" and "additional" demands. Araghchi blamed the collapse of previous negotiations on American demands that Iran considers unrealistic, saying such conditions preclude meaningful progress. He reaffirmed Tehran's refusal to accept talks framed around predetermined outcomes, echoing earlier comments by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that negotiations with the U.S. are futile when the other side seeks to dictate Iran's nuclear activities and even its missile capabilities. Araghchi warned that accepting such pressure would amount to surrendering Iran's right to self-defense. The remarks, reported by Mehr News on October 22, underscore Tehran’s insistence on negotiating without external preconditions and signal continued resistance to U.S. demands perceived as infringing on national sovereignty. Tehran indicated it remains open to dialogue only if demands become mutually acceptable.

Iran has expressed serious concern over recent border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan and has offered to help ease tensions. During a phone conversation on October 18, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged both countries to exercise restraint, stop military confrontations, and resolve disputes through dialogue. He warned that continued tension could not only result in humanitarian losses but also threaten the stability of the entire region. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi briefed Araghchi on the situation, emphasizing that the Islamic Emirate prioritizes peaceful solutions over military action. The ministers also discussed the Helmand River water-sharing agreement, stressing adherence to existing treaties, technical cooperation, and joint management to prevent water wastage and ensure Iran receives its rightful share. Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral relations, maintain border security, prevent foreign interference, and continue close consultation for lasting peace and stability.

Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and delivered a direct message from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani, who serves as both Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and an advisor to Khamenei, arrived in Russia on Thursday, October 16. During the discussions, both sides focused on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing economic cooperation, addressing regional development, and coordinating on international matters. The meeting comes shortly after Russian President Putin revealed that Israeli authorities asked him to convey to Iran that they are not seeking conflict and wish to reduce tensions. Speaking at the Central Asia-Russia summit in Dushanbe, Putin emphasized that Israel remains committed to peaceful resolution and has requested that the message be shared with Iranian leaders. Analysts suggest this meeting reflects Tehran and Moscow’s continued engagement on strategic regional and international concerns.

Iran has suspended its cooperation agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear monitoring body, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Sunday. He stated that Iran would only return to the agreement if the UN presents proposals safeguarding the country’s rights and national interests. The move comes amid heightened tensions following conflicts with Israel and the United States in June, when the IAEA revealed Iran holds 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, which could potentially be further enriched for nuclear weapons. Iran has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the IAEA but refused to allow access to nuclear sites. Previous European mediation efforts with the UK, France, and Germany failed, leading to UN sanctions in late September. Araghchi emphasized there is no basis for further talks with Europe.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran has no confidence that Israel will honor the terms of the newly agreed Gaza ceasefire. Speaking a day after the truce began, he accused Israel of a history of deception and ceasefire violations, referencing past incidents in Lebanon. Araghchi reiterated Iran’s support for any initiative aimed at stopping the violence, ensuring humanitarian aid, releasing Palestinian prisoners, and protecting Palestinian rights. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran backs all efforts to end what it described as a genocidal war. Araghchi also disclosed that Russia conveyed a message from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, assuring that Israel has no intention of starting a new war with Iran. The message followed a recent 12-day conflict between the two nations triggered by Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly removed all limitations on the country’s missile program, according to senior parliamentary sources. Previously, missile ranges were capped at 2,200 kilometers, but the new decision allows Tehran to expand its missile capabilities without restrictions. Analysts suggest this move indicates a significant shift in Iran’s defense posture, particularly after last June’s regional conflict, reflecting Tehran’s intent to adopt a stronger military stance. Ahmed Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the parliamentary National Security Committee, emphasized that missile development remains a key component of Iran’s security strategy, and decisions will be made based on national defense needs rather than foreign pressure. The announcement comes shortly after Iran accused Israel of spreading false claims about its intercontinental ballistic missile ambitions. The move could escalate tensions in the Middle East and influence global security dynamics.