THE هفت/SEVEN THINGS TO KNOW THIS WEEK:
۱/ Trump returns next week. What does it mean for Iran?
Under Donald Trump’s previous administration, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the multilateral nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, which kept Iran’s nuclear program in check in exchange for sanctions relief. The Trump administration imposed its maximum pressure strategy, a twelve-point policy plan that included punitive sanctions as well as an oil embargo that would make the Islamic Republic—in their words—act like a “normal country.” In 2020, the Trump administration also killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani via a drone strike in Iraq. Iran has repeatedly vowed revenge for the late Quds Force commander and has singled out former Trump officials, including the US president, for their direct or indirect involvement and has plotted to assassinate them.
It’s clear that there’s a return to the maximum pressure strategy in Trump’s second term. Numerous analysts are trying to explain what Trump’s policy will look like beyond maximum pressure, but the only thing certain about the US president is his unpredictability and the fact that he’s the “ultimate dealmaker.” Looking at his rhetoric over the span of the past year, Trump isn’t interested in regime change and wants some sort of deal to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon—despite Tehran trying to assassinate him. These four years of Trump’s presidency will be consequential for Iran’s future, with anti-regime discontent historically high, the economy in shambles, the Resistance Axis mostly crumbled, and the likelihood of a supreme leader transition (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 85 and said to be ill).
Some items to read regarding the incoming Trump team:
Trump’s CIA pick warns of Iran nuclear advancements in confirmation hearing (Al-Monitor)
Rubio warns of growing Iranian influence in Venezuela, drone threats in hemisphere (CBS News)
Trump’s incoming Ukraine envoy speaks at event hosted by cult that wants regime change in Iran (Antiwar.com)
۲/2 Italy releases Iranian wanted by US over drone attack that killed 3 soldiers
A week prior, on January 8, Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was released from prison in Iran and returned to Italy. It is widely believed that the journalist was released as part of a hostage deal. The release of Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini confirms this theory. Interestingly, two Iranian officials told the New York Times that Elon Musk, President-elect Trump’s unofficial advisor, had helped secure Sala’s release. However, on January 16, Musk wrote on X:
“I did not have any interaction with Iran. Just recommended support from the US side.”
Separately, Iranian-German Nahid Taghavi was released and sent back to Berlin after four years of imprisonment (BBC). Seemingly frustrated that Tehran is holding three French citizens hostage while its neighbors are able to secure the release of its own, Paris summoned the Iranian ambassador to France (Iran International). Olivier Grondeau, one of the French citizens held in Iran, said in an audio message that the three hostages were “exhausted” and that their “strength—it is all running out." (France24)
Other prisoners in Iran are speaking out: Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh said in a phone message from Evin prison that the outgoing Joe Biden administration “has taken no effective action to follow up.” (IranWire) While Iranian-Swedish scientist Ahmadreza Jalili, currently sentenced to death, accused Sweden of neglecting his case, per an audio recording from the notorious prison (Iran International).
Read: International community must demand immediate release of Swedish academic facing execution in Iran (CHRI)
۳/3 Russia and Iran sign comprehensive strategic partnership treaty
۴/4 Kurdish-Iranian activist Pakhshan Azizi faces imminent execution
A group of independent United Nations human rights experts also expressed grave concern at the decision to execute the activist and social worker (OHCHR). It’s widely believed Azizi was sentenced to death “to silence peaceful opposition,” as outgoing Deputy Special Envoy for Iran Abram Paley noted on X.
۵/5 Iran and E3 held ‘constructive’ nuclear talks
۶/6 Iran calls ceasefire a ‘victory’ for Palestinian resistance
Hamshahri Daily headline: “Zionists are on their knees”

۷/7 California fires framed by hardline media as divine punishment for Gaza
Meanwhile, Iran’s Red Crescent Society alleges that the US requested financial assistance from Tehran to combat the wildfires (Iran International).
OTHER اخبار/NEWS THAT MADE HEADLINES:
Human rights
۰ Iran arrests brother of slain protester (IranWire)
۰ Kurdish journalist sentenced to one year in prison by court (IranWire)
۰ IRGC agents detain rapper, whereabouts unknown (IranWire)
۰ Morteza Parvin sentenced to 5 years in prison (HRANA)
۰ Activist Mohammad Nourizad attacked in Evin prison (IranWire)
۰ Political prisoner held incommunicado for over 60 days (IranWire)
۰ Execution of three prisoners in Dastgerd prison, Isfahan (HRANA)
۰ Three men executed for alleged murders (IranWire)
۰ Reports of torture, sexual abuse of incarcerated women (DW)
۰ Iran intensifies crackdown on human rights lawyers amid growing repression (CHRI)
Domestic issues
۰ Notes from underground: an evening of secret theater in Tehran (Iran International)
۰ Iran’s population aging fast, bucking government efforts (AFP)
۰ Iran’s rare diseases chief attributes high prevalence to familial marriages (Iran International)
۰ Three killed in police training aircraft crash in northern Iran (IranWire)
Foreign policy + security
۰ Two men face trial for Iranian journalist stabbing (BBC)
۰ Engineer could flee to Iran to avoid drone strike trial, US says (Reuters)
۰ French mayor scraps recycling ads showing Iran’s Khamenei (AFP)
۰ Iran holds military drills as it faces rising economic pressures and Trump’s return (AP)
۰ Iran releases footage of underground missile base used in attack on Israel (Iran International)
۰ Iranian army takes delivery of 1,000 new drones (Reuters)
۰ Iran unveils new loitering drone, announces drone buildup (Iran International)
Iran deal + sanctions
۰ US sanctions vessels carrying Iranian oil (Iran International)
۰ Trump team readies oil sanctions plan for Russia deal, Iran squeeze (Bloomberg)
۰ Chinese refiners rush to secure oil ahead of potential Iran, Russia sanctions (Bloomberg)
۰ Israel supplied Iran with centrifuge platforms containing explosives, top official acknowledges (AP)
۰ Iran airlines to launch Europe flights after EU sanctions on flag carrier (AFP)
۰ Cleric hails Iranian economy’s resistance against sanctions (Mehr News Agency)
Diaspora
۰ Journalist Ebrahim Nabavi dies by suicide in exile (IranWire)
۰ Death threats, interrogation: Why football referee Mahsa Ghorbani left Iran (Al Jazeera)