“Iran’s behavior threatens the national interest of the United States,” President Trump declared in early February, in his second National Security Presidential Memorandum. “It is therefore in the national interest to impose maximum pressure on the Iranian regime to end its nuclear threat, curtail its ballistic missile program, and stop its support for terrorist groups.”
So, from there, went Iran’s 2025, a year of “maximum pressure” on all fronts: U.S. sanctions targeting its intelligence officers, proxy groups, and oil and shipping networks; more sanctions and Entity List additions targeting its drone production; military strikes in June by Israel and the U.S.; and, effective late September, a snapback of United Nations sanctions from before its nuclear deal.
The Brief traced that news this year as it unfolded, and through our investigations we examined how Iran’s networks have adapted to its international isolation — and continued to generate sanctions-evasion and global supply chain risks.
Read our top seven Iran stories of 2025 below:
So, from there, went Iran’s 2025, a year of “maximum pressure” on all fronts: U.S. sanctions targeting its intelligence officers, proxy groups, and oil and shipping networks; more sanctions and Entity List additions targeting its drone production; military strikes in June by Israel and the U.S.; and, effective late September, a snapback of United Nations sanctions from before its nuclear deal.
The Brief traced that news this year as it unfolded, and through our investigations we examined how Iran’s networks have adapted to its international isolation — and continued to generate sanctions-evasion and global supply chain risks.
Read our top seven Iran stories of 2025 below:
