Critical Threats (CT) and ISW - Iran Updates - August 21, 2025 - Syria, Iraq and IAEA inspections in Iran

 

Iran Update, August 21, 2025       Key Takeways • Captagon Networks in Syria: The continued survival of Assad-era Captagon smuggling networks, which helped Assad’s economy, demonstrates the economic interests that continue to animate internal conflicts in Syria. These networks have the potential to destabilize Syria, as demonstrated in violent flare-ups throughout 2025. • Justifications for the PMF: Iraqi Popular Mobilization Commission head Faleh al Fayyadh defended the Popular Mobilization Authority Law against domestic critics during an interview with Iraqi media on August 20. This law, which Parliament has yet to vote on, would likely increase Iran’s influence in the Iraqi political and security spheres by formalizing key structures of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) within the Iraqi security apparatus. • IAEA Inspections in Iran: Iran continues to block International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to its damaged nuclear facilities and highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile after the 12-day war. Iran’s 409 kg HEU stockpile remains in one or several unspecified locations, and Iran’s access to the stockpile is unclear.