STILL FEWER INTERNET FREEDOMS
In early September, Iranian lawmakers proposed a draft bill aimed at further intensifying censorship in the country. The bill, known as the Cyberspace Regulation Plan, would tighten state authority over the internet, shifting oversight away from the Information and Communication Technology Ministry to the Supreme Cyberspace Council, placing control in the hands of the Council's members, who are handpicked by the Iranian Supreme Leader. It also moves to limit the anonymity of internet users, opening up communications and posts to greater state scrutiny. Under the measure, Iranian internet service providers likewise would be required to authenticate users and be subjected to fines for violations, while foreign platforms would be forced to establish a physical presence in Iran in order to operate. For the moment, however, the measure is still notional, requiring the authorization of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to take effect. (Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, September 3, 2026)
FROM MOSCOW, WITH LOVE
Since 2023, Russia has helped Iran develop advanced supersonic cruise missiles under a covert program called C430L, transferring what has been described as highly sensitive military technology to build missiles that are harder for U.S. and regional allied defense systems to detect. The program clearly illustrates the scope of Russian-Iranian collaboration. Moscow is pursuing long-term engagement with Iran, as Russian experts help the Islamic Republic develop an advanced strategic weapons system of its own. (Financial Times, September 1, 2026)
INSIDE IRAN, UNREST GROWS...
Labor demonstrations are resurfacing across Iran as citizens confront a collapsing currency and rising living costs. Recent protests have been led by groups such as offshore oil and gas workers in Asaluyeh and laid-off workers from the Shadegan steel company in western Iran. As U.S. pressure tightens on Iran's international trade, the rial has fallen to a record low of more than two million to the U.S. dollar—a sign of deep economic crisis, which has historically served as a trigger for mass unrest in Iran. (Wall Street Journal, August 26, 2026)
...LEADING THE BASIJ TO TIGHTEN ITS GRIP
The Basij, a paramilitary force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is undergoing a reorganization to make it more capable of preventing potential protests, Iranian opposition sources say. In August, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reappointed former Basij commander Hossein Taeb as a part of a larger effort to return hardline figures to the top of Iran's military and security agencies. Taeb, in turn, has reportedly instructed local commanders to deploy large numbers of Basij forces in markets, gas stations, universities, and government service offices, and is expanding surveillance of social media platforms to identify and stop uprisings before they occur. The surveillance reportedly extends to monitoring regime officials and local commanders themselves for signs of dissent. (Al-Hurra, September 7, 2026)
CHINA'S IRAN WAR DIPLOMACY
At a recent meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that military measures are insufficient to resolve the conflict between the United States and Iran. Instead, he advocated for open dialogue and diplomacy within the framework of international law — reaffirming China's desired role in facilitating regional communication toward a "just and equitable" security framework. Wang's comments reflect Beijing's continued interest in serving as a political and economic partner for Gulf states, but notably stops short of any commitment to being a security guarantor in the region or to pressuring Tehran to open the Strait or resolve the present conflict. (Middle East Monitor, September 8, 2026)