TOP STORIES
Trump To Renew ‘Maximum Pressure’ Campaign Against Iran | The Wall Street Journal
President-elect Donald Trump plans to drastically increase sanctions on Iran and throttle its oil sales as part of an aggressive strategy to undercut Tehran’s support of violent Mideast proxies and its nuclear program, according to people briefed on his early plans. Trump took a dim view of Iran during his first term, aborting a six-nation agreement with Tehran—known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—that sought to curb Iran’s nuclear-weapons work. He also imposed what was described as a “maximum pressure” strategy in hopes Iran would abandon ambitions for a nuclear weapon, stop funding and training what the U.S. considers terrorist groups and improve its human-rights record.
Iranians, like many around the world, are divided on what Donald Trump’s next presidency will bring: Some foresee an all-out war between Tehran and Washington, particularly as other conflicts rage in the region. Others hold out hope that America’s 47th president might engage in unexpected diplomacy as he did with North Korea. But nearly all believe something will change in the U.S.-Iran relationship. “Trump will use tougher levers against Iran,” warned Ahmad Zeidabadi, a political analyst. “Iranian officials will keep rejecting him and that could make him escalate his pressure.”
Trump Returns As Iran’s Oil Exports Plunge Amid Israeli Threats | Iran International
As Iran's oil exports sharply declined in October amid Israeli threats to its oil facilities, Donald Trump’s US election victory signals the potential for stricter sanctions enforcement next year. Following Iran's ballistic missile strikes on Israel on October 1, and the likelihood of Israeli retaliatory strikes on Iranian oil facilities, especially the Kharg oil terminal, Iran’s oil loadings sharply declined. Arman Azizian, a senior analyst at the energy consulting firm Vortexa, told Iran International that Iran's loadings of crude and biproducts dropped to 1.5 million barrels per day in October, with most of this decline occurring in the first half of the month.
UANI IN THE NEWS
Trump’s Election Has Checkmated Iran | UANI Director Of IRGC Research Kasra Aarabi For The Telegraph
“We’re about to go onto the streets to hand out sweets.” This was the message sent from a friend celebrating Donald Trump’s victory – not in Texas but in Tehran. Yes, the Iranian people are overwhelmingly celebrating The Donald’s White House return. This may shock readers, but the explanation is simple: Trump’s election has checkmated the Ayatollah’s regime in Iran – a regime the Iranian people have been desperate to overthrow for decades. Trump’s election is the worst possible scenario for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his brutal ideological paramilitary, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Trump’s Reelection An Unsettling Reality For Iran, But One It Must Confront | Alarabiya News
Between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, there was little doubt as to which candidate Iran would prefer. Now that Trump has won the US presidential election, the man who makes Tehran uneasy is set to return to the White House, raising questions about how Iran will handle his second term... “Since the Iranian regime has been accused of trying to undermine Trump’s campaign and even killing him, I can imagine he will be even angrier with the clergy than before,” Golkar, also a senior advisor at United Against Nuclear Iran, told Al Arabiya English.
Trump's Hawkish Iran Envoy Oversees New Diplomat Hires, Media Report | Iran International
Donald Trump’s former special envoy for Iran is managing the president-elect's hiring for the state department, US news outlets reported, likely signaling a tough policy on Iran... Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against a Nuclear Iran, told Iran International: “Personnel is policy and I think Brian heading transition efforts at the State Department is a signal that the incoming Trump administration will be reassessing US Iran policy and reviving a maximum pressure approach, which was very successful.”
As questions emerge about how President-elect Donald Trump will handle the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East during a second term, some pro-Israel foreign policy voices say they have been reassured by recent news reports that Brian Hook, a special envoy for Iran in the first Trump administration, is expected to lead the transition team at the State Department... Even as the geopolitical situation has changed since Trump was in office — with a widening regional war that has included attacks between Israel and Iran — it still “presents opportunities to further enhance the maximum pressure strategy,” Jason Brodsky, the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran, told JI. “Europe,” he added, “may be more willing to take steps to pressure Iran than during the first Trump administration.”
SANCTIONS, BUSINESS RISKS, & OTHER ECONOMIC NEWS
Oil Rises 1% As Investors Digest US Election Fallout | Reuters
Oil prices rose nearly 1% on Thursday as the market weighed how President-elect Donald Trump's policies would affect supplies and as drillers cut output while bracing for Hurricane Rafael. A strong dollar and lower crude imports in China limited gains. On Wednesday, the election of Republican former President Trump initially triggered a sell-off that pushed oil down more than $2 as the dollar rallied. Crude prices later pared losses to settle down by less than 1%. On Thursday, Brent crude oil futures settled up 71 cents, or 0.95%, at $75.63 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 67 cents, or 0.93%, to $72.36.
PROTESTS & HUMAN RIGHTS
Nurses Day In Iran Marked By Nationwide Protests | Iran International
Iranian nurses protested across Iran on Thursday leaving several facilities minimally staffed as the government fails to address the country's healthcare crisis. Sit-ins and strikes were seen across multiple cities protesting what nurses described as a government failure to address their demands to raise salaries, pay delayed wages, and improve working conditions. The situation reflects years of unmet promises, with wage delays now stretching up to six months. One nurse from Kermanshah, speaking to Etemad newspaper, said that many colleagues have been forced to leave public healthcare for private sector jobs or to emigrate.
The female university student who stripped to her underwear in defiance is reportedly admitted to a psychiatric unit in Iran and human rights groups fear that she might be withstanding torture at the facility. The woman, named Ahoo Daryaei on social media, has been declared mentally unfit and a “troubled individual” by the Iranian government after a video of her walking around half-naked at the Islamic Azad University in Tehran became viral. The woman was detained by security guards at the university.
U.S.-IRAN RELATIONS & NEGOTIATIONS
Additional US F-15 Fighter Jets Arrive In Jordan As Israel Anticipates Iran Attack | Al-Monitor
Additional US F-15 fighter jets have arrived in the Middle East as the Biden administration seeks to dissuade Iran from launching yet another retaliatory attack against Israel amid a drawn-out exchange of strikes that risk escalating into a wider conflict. The fighters join other American strike aircraft in the region amassed by the Pentagon in recent weeks in response to Iranian officials' threats to retaliate against Israel. Among the recently deployed assets are additional Navy destroyers and several B 52 bombers based at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The Pentagon announced the deployments last week as replacing the strike capabilities of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which was scheduled to return home.
Team Trump Signals Harder Line On Iran As Tehran Pledges Defiance | Iran International
Donald Trump's return to the White House will likely herald a tougher line on Iran, with Trump and his prospective administration officials signaling a return of their so-called maximum pressure policy only two days after their election victory. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose country is bracing for a potential Iranian retaliatory attack any day, was one of the first world leaders to call Trump and congratulate him after his victory. The two leaders discussed Iran as a key security issue, according to Netanyahu's office. They "agreed to work together for Israel's security as well as the threat posed by Iran."
MILITARY/INTELLIGENCE MATTERS & PROXY WARS
Iran Supreme Leader Aide Warns Against Impulsive Response To Israel Attack | Alarabiya News
An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei has warned against launching an “instinctive” response to Israeli air strikes on the Islamic Republic last month. Israel, Iran’s sworn enemy, is engaged in conflicts with the Iran-backed Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli warplanes struck military sites in Iran on October 26 in retaliation for a large Iranian missile attack on Israel at the start of the month. “Israel aims to bring the conflict to Iran. We must act wisely to avoid its trap and not react instinctively,” the adviser, Ali Larijani, told state television late Thursday.
GULF STATES, YEMEN, & IRAN
US Sends Navy Bombers To Qatar As Israel-Iran Tensions Flare – Satellites | Iran International
Satellite imagery revealed six heavy B52 bombers were moved to Qatar this week after more US forces and air defenses were already stationed in Israel ahead as Iran pledged to strike the Jewish State. Iran has pledged retaliation for the Israeli air attacks on its missile sites on October 26, the latest direct confrontation between the regional arch-foes. Capable of carrying large loads of munitions, the B52 deployment shown by imagery from Planet Labs indicates the United States is pushing its most powerful air assets even closer to Iran.
AFGHANISTAN & IRAN
Iran Emphasizes Deportation Of Undocumented Migrants | Amu TV
Nader YarAhmadi, an advisor to Iran’s Ministry of Interior, has reiterated the government’s commitment to deporting undocumented foreign nationals, emphasizing that this policy is a priority for the year. According to the state news agency IRNA, Yar Ahmadi highlighted that managing the legal status of Afghan migrants also remains a central focus. YarAhmadi noted that Iran continues to extend “significant services” to Afghans who have entered the country legally. However, he underscored that the presence of undocumented Afghan migrants is unlawful and that these individuals must return to Afghanistan. “The Dogharoun border is the most strategic crossing point in the east of the country, and the highest number of undocumented individuals are returned to their country through this border after undergoing legal processes,” he said.
MISCELLANEOUS
Disinformation From Adversaries And Americans Swamped 2024 Election | The Hill
The swirl of disinformation surrounding the 2024 election marked a new high for foreign influence efforts and the elevation of false claims by people within the U.S., raising questions about the impact on the electorate. Russia, Iran, and China continued to promote content that sows division among Americans, perfecting techniques and reaching new audiences.