October 7
Military: CIA Director William Burns said that the United States had no evidence that Iran was developing a nuclear weapon. He also assured that the United States and its allies could detect weaponization activities.
October 8
International: MI5 Director General Ken McCallum said that British security services had responded to 20 potentially lethal Iran-backed operations since 2022. He added that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could increase Iranian state aggression in the United Kingdom.
International: Former British soldier Daniel Khalife, age 23, was charged with collecting sensitive information for Iran over a two-year period while working in digital communication and satellite services for the British army. He was also on trial for attempted escape from a London prison.
Military: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Iran would respond with force if Israel attacks Iranian oil or nuclear infrastructure as part of its response to Tehran’s October 1 missile barrage.
International: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the death of Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine, the presumed successor of Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli air strike in Beirut on October 3. Netanyahu claimed that Israel also killed Safieddine’s replacement.
October 9
International: A senior Iranian official warned Gulf Arab states against allowing their airspace to be used in attacks against Iran, according to Reuters. They said that Iran would consider a military action by any Gulf state against Tehran as a collective action, and would respond accordingly.
Domestic: Iranian news outlets reported that lawmakers called on the Supreme National Security Council to reconsider developing nuclear weapons for national security and deterrence against Israel. For years, Iranian officials have invoked Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s fatwa, a religious edict, forbidding the production of nuclear weapons.
International: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss the situation in Lebanon and efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
Very important discussions on critical issues of common concern with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Israeli regime is dragging the whole region into a catastrophe. Insight, wisdom, courage and cooperation are what the region needs to overcome this challenging time. pic.twitter.com/OiO2KLzToq— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) October 9, 2024
October 10
Human Rights: Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian Nobel laureate and human rights activist, condemned those responsible for war and called for peace in the region. Mohammadi, who has been imprisoned since November 2021, was awarded the peace prize in October 2023 for her activism against capital punishment and the obligatory hijab.
International: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, in Doha to discuss developments in Gaza and Lebanon as well as efforts to “enhance regional security and stability.”
Had important exchanges with Qatari PM & FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman on regional situation.
Iran & Qatar share common concerns & interests, determined to cooperate.
Our region faces trying challenges need to be addressed through close consultations and joint efforts. pic.twitter.com/0B55k56wRo— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) October 10, 2024
October 11
International: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan and discussed shared positions, including opposition to Israel’s military actions in Lebanon and Gaza. Putin stated his desire to create a “new world order” with Iran, among other allies, in opposition to the West. Pezeshkian said that the two countries are close to signing a strategic partnership agreement.
October 12
Military: Iran sent two imaging and communications satellites to Russia to be put into orbit by Russian space operators. U.S. officials had voiced concern that the satellites could enhance Iran’s ability to monitor military targets in Israel.
International: Secret documents revealed that Hamas tried to persuade Hezbollah and Iran to participate in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, according to The New York Times. Hamas initially planned the attack for the fall of 2022 but delayed the operation in the hopes that Iran and Hezbollah might contribute to the attack.
October 13
International: The United States deployed a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) to Israel to defend against future Iranian missile attacks.