Iran satellite launch signals defiance after war with Israel, experts say

Some London-based underwriters offering war risk insurance for ships on these routes now mandate specific security measures, according to the report, including a certain number of firearms, ammunition and onboard armed personnel.

The decision follows a July 7 attack in which Houthi forces in Yemen launched drones and rockets at a cargo ship off the Yemeni coast, killing two crew members.

London insurers reportedly incurred a 40-million-dollar loss due to the attack, The Telegraph said.

Shipping insurance companies consider the waterways near Iranian territory to be high-risk due to Iran-backed Houthi attacks in Yemen and ongoing tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The Telegraph also reported that vessels recently docked in Israel or sailing under certain flagged states are struggling to secure insurance, as they are considered more likely to be targeted.

Since the beginning of its term, the Trump administration designated the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization and launching a series of airstrikes aimed at disrupting the group’s attacks on shipping lanes and missile launches toward Israel.

Oman brokered a ceasefire in May between the United States and the Iran-backed group which held until the Houthis attacked and sank a cargo ship on July 6 in the Red Sea.

The sanctions target companies based in Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, including Arkan Mars Petroleum and its UAE affiliates, which the US Treasury said coordinated the delivery of $12 million worth of Iranian oil to the Houthis through Yemen’s Ras Isa port.

The transfers allegedly involved Iran’s Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Company (PGPICC), a firm linked to the Revolutionary Guards.

“The Houthis collaborate with opportunistic businessmen to reap enormous profits from the importation of petroleum products and to enable the group’s access to the international financial system,” said Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender.

“These networks of shady businesses underpin the Houthis’ terrorist machine.”

The Treasury said the Houthis earn hundreds of millions of dollars annually by taxing petroleum imports and reselling fuel at marked-up prices in areas under their control.

Images of former nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani meeting Russia’s President Vladimir Putin emerged without prior notice on Sunday, shortly after a separate encounter between Putin and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The hardline daily Javan, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, reported the visit on Monday and questioned its goals and timing.

“It may have been a force majeure meeting—urgent and unpredictable,” an editorial read. “The urgency could stem from last-minute coordination on US and Israeli aggression against Iran, the nuclear dossier, the Gaza crisis and the faltering talks with the European troika.”

Javan dismissed the possibility that arms deals were on the agenda, noting that Moscow has offered only tepid support in recent conflicts despite being “indebted to Iran for undermining American hegemony.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei asserted on Monday that Larijani met Putin as a representative of Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

But the very need for clarification may be seen as confirmation of what many in Tehran already believe: Pezeshkian is not a key player in foreign policy, and important messages are conveyed by Khamenei’s aides rather than diplomats.

Signs of a comeback?

Larijani’s sudden appearance alongside Putin was seen by some pundits as a signal that the former parliament speaker might be “back” after a spell out of spotlight.

Vahideh Karimi, political editor of the reformist Sharq, analyzed Larijani’s evolving role. She noted he seized the 12-day war with Israel as an opportunity to reposition himself.

“Larijani knows the corridors of power in Tehran and is widely regarded as a moderate figure well-versed in negotiation,” she wrote.

Once a staunch conservative, Larijani aligned with former President Hassan Rouhani to tap into reformist popularity—a shift reportedly frowned upon by Khamenei, who later barred him from the presidential race.

Since the war, Larijani has returned to more conservative positions. Karimi argues that his Revolutionary Guard background, pragmatic ambiguity and rhetorical agility make him uniquely suited to the current moment.

‘Calculated ambiguity’

The timing of Larijani’s visit to Russia appears strategic. With high-stakes negotiations underway over Tehran’s nuclear program, Iran may have sought counsel from Moscow—its most powerful regional ally.

Karimi also pointed to Larijani’s increased engagement in religious circles as a calculated move to court conservative backing. Still, she warned that Iran’s hardliners—suspicious of independent operators—could once again block his ascent.

Yet Larijani’s key asset, she added, lies in his ambiguity: neither fully beholden to any faction nor entirely obedient, a trait that resonates with many Iranians.

Karimi said the Moscow meeting reflects both Khamenei’s trust in Larijani and possible backing for a future leadership role.

“Unfortunately, we will probably see rationing in most parts of the country soon,” Reza Sepahvand, a member of Iran’s parliamentary energy committee was quoted as saying by the Iranian outlet Tejarat News

“In some cities, this has already started,” he added.

Iranians have increasingly complained of water outages in the capital which began last week.

Reports to Iran International's submissions line indicate worsening water quality and intermittent cuts not only in Tehran but also in West Azarbaijan, Razavi Khorasan and Khuzestan provinces.

Sepahvand said the crisis is the result of long-standing failures to locate water-intensive industries in appropriate areas.

“Industries like steel and petrochemicals should have been built along the Persian Gulf, but instead they were placed in the heart of the desert,” he said. “This has led to expensive and incomplete water transfer projects.”

Sepahvand added that the situation has been worsened by climate change and reduced rainfall.

In a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian cited a dire report from the energy ministry and warned that the water crisis was more severe than acknowledged.

“The water crisis is more serious than what is being discussed today, and if we do not take urgent action now, we will face a situation in the future for which no remedy can be found,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by state media.

Iran's government declared a public holiday for Wednesday in Tehran Province due to ongoing extreme heat and the need to conserve water and electricity, spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced.

Earlier on Tuesday, local media citing a spokesman from the Tehran Water and Wastewater Company reported that drinking water could be distributed in hygienic plastic pouches in case of supply cuts.

However, the company later denied it had any such plans.

The outlet said Araghchi’s acknowledgment that the US strikes caused “serious damage” to nuclear facilities and led to a halt in enrichment signaled weakness.

“Our facilities have been damaged – seriously damaged,” Araghchi said. “The extent of which is now under evaluation … enrichment has currently ceased.”

Fars called the remarks exaggerated and warned that such statements could be viewed as a sign of excessive flexibility, encouraging the West to increase pressure on Iran.

The agency linked the remarks to a recent comment by US President Donald Trump, who said, “If necessary, we will strike again.”

Araghchi downplays fatwa targeting Trump

Fars also criticized Araghchi for dismissing a clerical fatwa calling for the killing of Trump as a move by “radical groups.” The decree, issued by two senior Iranian clerics, has drawn support from others and sparked online fundraising.

Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked Araghchi directly about the fundraising activity. In response, Araghchi distanced the government from the fatwa, a stance Fars said signaled weakness and undermined Iran’s unified position against what it called foreign aggression.

In the same interview, Araghchi also addressed the slogan “Death to America,” saying it is aimed at US foreign policy, not the American people. “It means death to US foreign policy, not death to the people,” he said.

A statement from Iran’s parliament last week said the slogan means “death to Trump” and “those who rule America,” directly targeting US leaders.

Iran denies seeking Israel’s destruction

The interview also drew attention for Araghchi’s comments about Iran’s position on Israel. When asked about threats from Iran-backed groups to wipe Israel off the map, he said: “That is up to them… but this has never been Iran’s policy to wipe out Israel from the map.”

Fars did not directly reference that part of the exchange, but the remarks contrast with statements made by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials over the years expressing support for Israel’s elimination.

Despite affirming Iran’s right to nuclear enrichment, Iran's top diplomat failed to maintain the right balance between diplomacy and deterrence, Fars said.

The interview aired ahead of renewed nuclear talks with Britain, France and Germany, as Tehran faces threats of a UN snapback mechanism and possible reimposition of international sanctions.