Iranian Military Appointments: The Iranian regime announced new Artesh appointments as part of a broader reshuffling of senior Iranian military leadership following the Israel-Iran War. Artesh Commander Major General Amir Hatami appointed Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi Fard as his assistant for air defense affairs. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei separately appointed Brigadier General Bahman Behmard as the new Artesh Air Force commander based on Hatami’s recommendation.
Anti-Iranian Regime Baloch Groups: Ansar al Furqan recently conducted a tactically sophisticated attack targeting Iranian security forces in southeastern Iran. This attack is demonstrative of the growing threat that anti-regime Baloch groups in southeastern Iran have posed to the Iranian regime since late 2022.
Hezbollah Disarmament: The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is reportedly “ready” to begin disarming Hezbollah between the Litani and Awali rivers as part of the second phase of the LAF’s disarmament plan. Hezbollah will likely resist the LAF’s efforts to disarm it north of the Litani River more strongly than it has done in southern Lebanon.
Syrian March 10 Agreement: Several Syrian and Kurdish sources have indicated that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian transitional government may imminently implement the March 10 agreement or extend the deadline for the implementation of the agreement. Syrian President Ahmed al Shara likely prefers to implement or extend the deadline of the March 10 agreement over conducting a joint Syrian-Turkish offensive against the SDF that would further destabilize Syria.
Syrian Ministry of Defense Appointments: The Syrian Ministry of Defense (MoD) reportedly appointed three Syrian National Liberation Front-affiliated commanders to oversee military affairs in central, western, and southern Syria as “assistant defense ministers.” The MoD probably appointed these commanders to improve the MoD’s capacity to supervise armed groups operating under the MoD across Syria.
Iran Update, December 17, 2025 (Institute for the Study of War)
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