September 30
International: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived in Tehran for talks with President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials. “I believe that there is enormous potential for expanding cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, industry, trade, and cultural and humanitarian relations between Russia and Iran, though over the past seven months our joint trade has increased by 6.5 percent,” Mishustin told Pezeshkian. They finalized a gas supply deal in which Iran would import Russian gas via a pipeline as part of a swap agreement.
Military: Rear Admiral Shahram Irani discussed the potential for deeper maritime cooperation, including joint patrols and educational exchanges, with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Hu Zhongming in China.
October 1
Military: The Revolutionary Guards launched at least 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders as well as an Iranian brigadier general. But Israel, with the help of a U.S. and other forces, intercepted most of the weapons.
October 2
International: President Pezeshkian arrived in Doha, Qatar to participate in the 19th Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit. He met with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. During a joint press conference, Pezeshkian suggested that the United States and Europe restrain Israel. He warned that Iran would harshly respond to any Israeli counterstrike. Qatar and Iran signed six cooperation agreements during the visit.
Domestic: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appointed Esmail Baghaei, a veteran diplomat, as the new ministry spokesman. Baghaei had previously served as ambassador to the U.N. office in Geneva. He replaced Nasser Kanaani.
International: President Joe Biden said that he would not support an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites as retaliation for Iran’s October 1 missile attack. The United States and allies reportedly urged Israel to calibrate its response to avoid a full-blown regional war.
October 3
International: Mohsen Ghomi, a senior aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneii, traveled to Beirut to meet with senior Lebanese officials.
International: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that the G7 condemnation of Iran’s against Israel was “biased” and “irresponsible” because G7 countries increase instability throughout the region by supporting Israel.
October 4
International: Officials from Iran and the Gulf Arab states discussed de-escalation in Qatar while attending a conference of Asian nations. Gulf Arab states emphasized their neutrality in the conflict among Iran and its allies and Israel. They reportedly feared that a wider conflict could endanger their oil facilities.
International: Foreign Minister Araghchi met with senior Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in Beirut. They discussed efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza. Araghchi reiterated Iranian support for Lebanon against Israel.
Domestic: In two defiant sermons, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other militias will “not retreat” from the battle against Israel despite the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other leaders. “The resistance will be victorious,” he told tens of thousands of people in Tehran gathered for Friday prayers. Khamenei, speaking in Persian and then in Arabic, warned the entire Muslim world to be vigilant against aggression by the United States and its allies.
October 5
International: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Damascus and met with Syrian President Bashar al Assad to discuss developments in the region. The two leaders confirmed their support for one another and their opposition to Israel.