Hamas Request to Iranian Regime: “$500 million to Destroy Israel”
Israel’s Defense Minister revealed a document found in Hamas tunnels in which the Hamas organization requested $500 million from the Iranian regime for the complete destruction of Israel. At the time, a commander from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) agreed to the request.
Israel Katz, Israel’s Minister of Defense, disclosed the existence of an intelligence document showing that the leaders of Hamas, Yahya Al-Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, had sent a letter in June 2021 to Esmail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, requesting financial support to carry out a plan to attack Israel—a plan that was eventually carried out on October 7, 2023.
According to Katz, this document proves the direct connection between Iran and Yahya Al-Sinwar and Mohammed Deif and shows how Iran supported Hamas’s plan to destroy Israel.
He added that the document requests the Quds Force commander of the IRGC to provide $500 million to implement the plan to destroy Israel.
According to the contents of the document, Hamas requested $20 million per month from Iran for two years to accomplish “major goals” that, in the words of the letter’s authors, would “change the face of the world.”
One part of the letter reads: “We are confident that by the end of these two years, or during them, God willing, we will uproot this monstrous entity and end this dark chapter in our nation’s history.”
Katz also stated that Saeed Izadi, head of the Palestine division in the Quds Force, agreed to the request and replied that despite Iran’s difficult economic situation and the struggles of its own people, the Iranian regime would continue to fund Hamas because fighting Israel and the United States is its top priority.
The Israeli Defense Minister further emphasized that the conclusion is clear: Iran is the head of the snake, and despite repeated denials, is financing and advancing terrorism in all regions—from Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank, and now alongside the Houthis in Yemen—all with the aim of destroying Israel.
Katz added that Israel will do everything it can to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining nuclear weapons and will continue striking the regime’s proxy forces in the region until this Iranian axis of evil is ultimately suppressed and destroyed.
Reuters: Khamenei Orders “Military Alert”
Reuters, quoting an Iranian regime official, reported that Tehran has issued a threatening warning to regional countries in the event of participation in an attack on Iran. According to the official, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Iranian regime, has also ordered the armed forces to be placed on “alert.”
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the Iranian regime is resisting U.S. demands for direct talks over its nuclear program or facing military confrontation.
According to the official, the Iranian regime has warned neighboring countries hosting U.S. military bases that if they participate in an attack, they will be targeted by Tehran’s fire.
Iran’s 2025 Budget: Massive Oil Revenues for Military, State Assets Transferred to IRGCThe Iranian official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, stated that although Iran has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s request for direct talks, it is willing to continue indirect negotiations with the United States through Oman, which has long served as a channel for message exchanges between the two countries. The Iranian regime official added that indirect negotiations provide an opportunity to assess Washington’s seriousness in achieving a political solution with Iran. According to the Iranian official, although this path may be “bumpy,” such negotiations could begin soon if the U.S. sends a positive signal.
Khamenei’s “Alert” Order and Warning to Regional Countries
The Iranian regime official also stated that Tehran has informed Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain that any support for a U.S. attack on Iran — including the use of their airspace or territory by American forces during such an attack — will be considered a “hostile act.” The official, noting that such an action “would have severe consequences for them,” also stated that Ali Khamenei has placed Iran’s armed forces on “alert.” Trump’s repeated threats of military action against Iran’s regime have escalated regional tensions, especially following the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, military strikes on the Houthis in Yemen, shifts in the balance of power in Syria, and military confrontations between Israel and Iran’s regime. The widening conflict in this part of the world has raised concerns among the Gulf countries, which supply a significant portion of global oil demand through the region’s waters. The regime’s state media reported on April 1 that Kuwait has assured the Iranian regime that no offensive action against other countries will be launched from its territory. Russia, an ally of the Iranian regime, also called the U.S. threat of military action against the Iranian regime “unacceptable” on April 2 and urged restraint from any provocative actions the following day. Another Iranian regime official told Reuters that Iran is seeking stronger support from Russia but is doubtful of Moscow’s commitment. According to the official, this depends on the “dynamics” of the Trump-Putin relationship.Two-Month Deadline
Trump has said that he prefers a nuclear deal with Iran over military confrontation. On March 7, he also announced that he had sent a letter to Khamenei proposing negotiations. The top Iranian official told Reuters that the first round of indirect talks with the U.S. may involve Omani mediation between the delegations of both sides. The Iranian regime has consistently denied accusations of seeking nuclear weapons. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that Iran has significantly increased its enrichment of uranium to 60%, which is close to the 90% level required for nuclear weapons production. While the Iranian regime has accepted indirect talks with the U.S. to address concerns over its nuclear program, it has rejected direct negotiations under “threats” and has also stated that it is not willing to negotiate over its missile program.End of New Year Holidays Marked by Continued Decline in the Value of the Iranian Rial
On the first day that markets reopened after the Nowruz (Persian New Year) holidays, the value of the Iranian rial continued its decline, reaching its lowest level against the U.S. dollar. Each dollar was priced at over 1,043,000 rials.
On Saturday, April 5, the value of the Iranian rial fell to its lowest level against the dollar. The exchange rate, which had already surpassed one million rials per dollar during the Nowruz holidays, reached 1,043,000 rials with the reopening of exchange shops.
According to the Associated Press, on Ferdowsi Street in Tehran — the country’s main currency trading hub — some currency exchange dealers have turned off their electronic boards, as they are uncertain about the constant fluctuations in exchange rates.
Foreign Pressure and Tensions with the United States
After Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal with world powers in 2018, Iranian regime’s economy came under severe international sanctions. At the time of the agreement — in which the regime significantly limited its uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief — one U.S. dollar was equivalent to 32,000 rials.Iran’s Rial Continues to Plummet in New Persian YearBut with Trump’s return to power, the “maximum pressure” campaign was restarted, and sanctions against Iran intensified. Trump also targeted companies involved in trading Iranian oil. He even wrote a letter to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Iranian regime, attempting to initiate direct talks between Tehran and Washington — although so far, Iran has only shown interest in indirect negotiations.
Economic Pressures and Public Discontent
According to the state-run newspaper Eghtesad Online, Mehdi Darabi, a market analyst, believes that recent foreign pressures have led to “expectations of reduced oil sales, higher inflation, and increased foreign exchange rates.” Economic instability and the falling value of the rial have driven people to safeguard their assets by turning to foreign currencies, gold, cars, and other tangible assets. Many have also turned to cryptocurrencies or entered high-risk investment schemes. Meanwhile, domestic political pressures continue, particularly around the issue of compulsory hijab. There are also rumors of a potential increase in the price of subsidized gasoline — a move that previously sparked nationwide protests in November 2019. The collapse of the rial has added further pressure on Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran’s regime. In March, when the exchange rate hit 930,000 rials per dollar, the Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament) impeached Abdolnaser Hemmati, the Economy Minister, for the sharp devaluation of the currency and allegations of mismanagement. Public dissatisfaction also prompted Pezeshkian to dismiss his deputy, Shahram Dabbiri, due to a lavish trip to Antarctica that drew heavy criticism. Explaining his decision, Pezeshkian said: “At a time when people are under severe economic pressure, luxury trips by officials are unjustifiable.” On Saturday, April 5, Pezeshkian also stated that Iran seeks “equal dialogue” with the United States. He added: “If you want to negotiate, why are you threatening?” He continued: “Today, the United States is humiliating not only Iran but the world, and this behavior contradicts the call for negotiations.”Iran Has Enough Uranium for 6 or 7 Nuclear Weapons
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated in an interview that while Iran’s regime currently does not possess a nuclear weapon, it has enough enriched uranium to produce six or seven nuclear warheads.
On Saturday, April 5, Rafael Grossi spoke with an Argentine media outlet about the Iranian regime’s nuclear program and the new U.S. policies regarding it.
In the interview, Grossi emphasized that the Iranian regime currently has no nuclear weapons but has acquired the equipment and materials needed to build them. According to him, the amount of enriched uranium in Iran is sufficient to construct six or seven nuclear weapons.
Iranian Regime Accelerates Uranium Enrichment to Concerning LevelsGrossi referred to ongoing correspondence between Tehran and Washington, saying that the United States has presented Iran with two choices: reaching an agreement on the nuclear program or facing airstrikes. Grossi expressed his concern about the current situation. According to U.S. officials, the Iranian regime has two months to make a decision. In a phone call between Grossi and the Iranian regime’s Foreign Minister, it was agreed that Grossi would travel to Iran in the coming weeks. Grossi stated that the main reason for his trip to Iran is to prevent a direct confrontation between the Iranian regime and the United States. He said Iran has agreed to clarify the disputed issues as soon as possible in hopes of avoiding “any destructive conflict.” Contrary to the regime’s official position of not pursuing nuclear weapons, Ali Larijani, the former Speaker of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (Parliament), said last week: “If the United States makes a wrong move regarding Iran’s nuclear issue, it will force Iran to pursue nuclear weapons, because Iran must defend itself.” Ali Larijani, who is a member of Iran’s Expediency Council and an advisor to the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said in a televised program, following discussion of the current situation and recent communications from Donald Trump: “The Supreme Leader’s fatwa (a legal ruling on a point of so called Islamic law) is that we will not pursue [nuclear] weapons. A fatwa is different from political instructions, and his letter [on this issue] has also been registered once at the United Nations. But when they apply pressure, then [building a nuclear bomb] will have a ‘secondary justification’.”
Iranian Regime Media Repeats Call for Murdering Trump
Kayhan, a state-run newspaper managed by a representative of Ali Khamenei, Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, once again defended the idea of shooting the President of the United States in the head, despite widespread criticism.
In its “Dialogue” column, the newspaper repeated its statement from the previous day that Donald Trump would soon be shot in the head in revenge for Qasem Soleimani. It defended this controversial remark that had received strong backlash.
In the Kayhan article, presented as a fictional conversation between two people, the character proposing Trump’s assassination claimed that critics were expressing their objections because they were “scared.”
The article described the killing of Trump as a “good event” that would bring joy to the people of Gaza and the so-called “resistance forces.”
Syria, Hezbollah, and Iran’s Regime Obstructed Lebanese Reconciliation for Years
Coinciding with the visit of Morgan Ortagus, Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, to Lebanon and her meetings with Lebanese officials, Sami Gemayel, leader of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, declared that the disarmament of Hezbollah is no longer open for discussion.
On April 5, Gemayel told Lebanon’s LBCI television channel that the presence of weapons outside government control violates the constitution, the rule of law, and the principle of equality among citizens.
He emphasized that national reconciliation must not become a cover for the continuation of this situation.
Iran and Hezbollah’s Cyber Attacks on Israel Have Tripled Since October 7 AttackGemayel also stated that the Syrian government, Hezbollah, and the Iranian regime have for years obstructed reconciliation among the Lebanese. However, he said that today, after five decades, there is a genuine opportunity for joint dialogue and building a shared future. This Lebanese political figure stressed that reconciliation must be based on truth-telling and mutual respect for the diverse narratives of the Lebanese people. He added that as long as some believe they can impose their will through the force of arms, national consensus cannot be achieved. According to Arabic-language media outlets, the Lebanese presidency announced that President Michel Aoun met with Ortagus on Saturday to discuss the situation in southern and eastern Lebanon, financial and economic reforms, and strategies for combating corruption. A private meeting between Aoun and Ortagus took place prior to the official talks. It had been anticipated that discussions on the disarmament of Hezbollah and limiting the group’s activities would be among the topics of the meetings. Earlier, on February 7, Ortagus had stated at the Baabda Presidential Palace in Lebanon that the United States has drawn a red line: Hezbollah must not be part of Lebanon’s future government. Referring to what she called Hezbollah’s “defeat” in its conflict with Israel, she stated that “Hezbollah’s era of terror is over.” On February 8, Mohammad Raad, head of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” parliamentary bloc representing Hezbollah, described Ortagus’ remarks as “blatant interference in Lebanon’s sovereignty” and “entirely outside diplomatic norms and the principles of international relations,” calling them full of malice and irresponsibility. On April 3, senior Republican and Democratic senators on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee warned that the Lebanese Army must accelerate the implementation of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the United States, or else Washington’s military aid to Beirut will be reconsidered. Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, the group is required to move its forces and weapons at least 32 kilometers away from the Lebanon-Israel border. In return, Israel is to fully withdraw from the remaining occupied Lebanese territories, and the Lebanese Army will take control of the vacated areas. During the meeting between Aoun and Ortagus, the two sides discussed matters related to southern Lebanon, the activities of the international monitoring committee, Israel’s withdrawal process, and the security situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border. According to Al Hadath TV, financial and economic reforms, as well as the Lebanese government’s anti-corruption efforts, were also part of the negotiations. Ortagus also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam during her trip and discussed enhancing economic cooperation, implementing structural reforms, and promoting financial transparency. The U.S. envoy’s return visit to Lebanon comes at a time when the country continues to face economic stagnation, political turmoil, and a severe collapse in public infrastructure.
Large-Scale Farmers’ Protests in Iran Against the Policy of Drying Up the Zayandeh Rud River
On Friday, April 4, a group of farmers in the Khorasgan area, located in eastern Isfahan, held a protest and march to voice their objection to the government’s failure to allocate water rights from the Zayandeh Rud River and to protest officials’ disregard for their demands. This gathering, which included the chanting of protest slogans, is part of a series of demonstrations that farmers have held in recent days and weeks regarding the water crisis in the region.
The protesting farmers chanted slogans such as “Zayandeh Rud’s water is our rightful claim!” and “No nation has ever seen such injustice!” They demanded that the authorities fulfill their earlier promises regarding the provision of agricultural water rights and stated that they would continue their sit-ins and protests until their demands are met.
Warning About the Possibility of Water Rationing in IranOn April 3, farmers in the town of Ziyar also held a similar demonstration. The protesters strongly criticized the government and certain officials, chanting slogans such as “Death to Pezeshkian,” referring to regime president Masoud Pezeshkian, and warned about the continuous neglect of their livelihoods and water resources. On the same day, a number of residents in Natanz also gathered in front of the county courthouse to protest the activities of mining companies in the region. These citizens cited excessive extraction of rural water resources, environmental damage, and the support these companies receive from the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade as well as the Forests and Rangelands Organization as reasons for their demonstration.
Background of Farmers’ Protests in Isfahan
The protests by farmers in Isfahan province—particularly in its eastern parts—have a long history. The main issue at the heart of these demonstrations is the government’s failure to allocate the legal water rights of farmers from the Zayandeh Rud River. This river has faced drought for years due to water diversion projects that prioritize the steel industry and military systems of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with ineffective water resource management policies. In recent years, farmers have repeatedly held protests in areas such as Varzaneh, Khorasgan, Ziyar, and other parts of eastern Isfahan. These protests have taken the form of multi-day sit-ins, marches, road blockades, and demonstrations in front of government offices. However, the authorities have yet to provide a clear response to the demands of these producers, and the crisis remains unresolved. On Thursday, farmers expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the policies of Pezeshkian’s administration by chanting “Death to Pezeshkian.”Iran’s 2025 Budget: Massive Oil Revenues for Military, State Assets Transferred to IRGC
The detailed text of Iran’s new budget bill (which started on March 21) was released by the Iranian government on Monday, March 31. It not only highlights the massive share of oil revenues and national budget allocated to the military and security forces but also facilitates these institutions’ acquisition of state assets.
For several years, a portion of Iran’s oil exports has been allocated to military forces, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), under the “Strengthening National Defense” program. However, this year, not only has the military’s oil share increased significantly, but government budget expenditures to finance them have also grown. Additionally, the authorization for direct crude oil deliveries has expanded to include other institutions and projects, such as Iran’s nuclear program.
Furthermore, the budget law text indicates that the government has allowed IRGC-affiliated institutions, such as the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, as well as organizations under the control of Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, including the “Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order” (EIKO), to settle government debts through the transfer of state assets.
The Military’s Oil Share
The government of Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran’s regime, has planned for daily oil exports of 1.85 million barrels this year. One-third of this amount (valued at $12.4 billion) will be directly allocated to the armed forces and their special military projects. This figure is three times higher than last year. The remaining exported oil (along with all exported gas) will be shared among the government budget, the National Development Fund, and the National Iranian Oil Company, totaling $33.5 billion.The Iranian Regime’s Economic Crisis in a Critical YearAnother crucial point is that the government has set the exchange rate for the oil given to the armed forces at approximately 600,000 rials per euro, while the euro’s current free market rate in Iran is 1,140,000 rials. This creates a massive financial advantage for the military, allowing them to sell oil and generate significant profits by exchanging the revenue at free market rates. Moreover, the military has priority in selling oil. Any decline in Iran’s oil exports will primarily impact the non-military sector. If the armed forces fail to export the oil they receive, the government must compensate them with equivalent cash payments. While Masoud Pezeshkian has planned for daily oil exports of 1.85 million barrels for the current fiscal year, data from commodity intelligence firm Kpler indicates that Iran’s daily oil offloading at Chinese ports—its only customer—was about 1.34 million barrels in the first three months of this year. This is down from an average of 1.5 million barrels per day last year. Meanwhile, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump launched a “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at reducing Iran’s oil exports to zero. Several oil tanker tracking firms and energy consultancy companies had previously predicted that Iran’s oil exports could drop by about 500,000 barrels per day in the coming months. The decline in Iran’s oil exports to China comes as the government has also granted direct oil export rights (from the state’s share) to five other entities and projects, including “nuclear energy projects.” Given that Iran’s regime has no new nuclear power plant construction projects planned for this year, the allocated funds are likely to be used for nuclear activities unrelated to electricity generation, such as uranium enrichment, a highly sensitive part of Iran’s nuclear program. Another point is that, in addition to revenue from direct oil sales under the so-called “Strengthening National Defense” program, Iran’s military and security forces receive a 10% share of the government’s general budget for paying military personnel salaries.
Transfer of State Assets to the Military
In the absence of transparency in the economic activities of the IRGC and institutions controlled by the regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, unofficial reports suggest that these entities dominate nearly half of Iran’s shadow economy. Over the past two decades, a significant portion of the government’s privatization initiatives has deviated from its original goal of transferring assets to the genuine private sector. Instead, state-owned assets have been handed over at deeply discounted prices to the IRGC and entities under Khamenei’s control. Organizations under the IRGC and Khamenei’s leadership have extensive involvement in Iran’s construction and infrastructure projects. The exact amount of government debt owed to the IRGC and entities under the Supreme Leader’s office for construction projects remains unclear. However, Iran’s 2025 budget law (effective from March 21, 2025) explicitly names the IRGC-affiliated Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters and the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO), which operates under Khamenei. These institutions are allowed to claim up to $2 billion worth of state assets in exchange for government debt sum equivalent to roughly 13% of the government’s total asset sales plan for this year. Given the weakened and marginalized state of Iran’s private sector, it is expected that once again, institutions under the IRGC and the Supreme Leader’s office will dominate the acquisition of state assets during the privatization process, just as they have in the past.The Iranian Regime’s Economic Crisis in a Critical Year
The Iranian year 1404 (starting on March 21) begins with a widespread consensus among Iranians of all political beliefs that the country is in an economic crisis. This crisis indicates an even grimmer future. One of the signs of this is a budget deficit of 8,700 trillion rials (approximately $8.7 billion) and an inflation rate exceeding 40%.
Continued Inflation Growth
According to the Iranian regime’s Statistics Center, the price of goods and services used by the public has increased by 35% compared to last year. The situation for workers’ wages is even more painful, as their value has dropped by nearly 50% over the past 14 years. “The minimum dollar wage of workers, which was nearly $300 in 2012, has dropped to below $150 in 2025, nearly halving. In other words, Iranian workers’ purchasing power has drastically declined during this period.” (State-run EcoIran, March 29, 2025)Surging Inflation in the New Iranian YearLast year was, in fact, the year of economic bankruptcy for the Iranian regime. The financial imbalance, particularly in the energy sector, led to the shutdown of industries, schools, and even government offices.
Continuous Money Printing by the Government
Mahdi Pazouki, a government-affiliated economist, stated: “The most critical economic problem Iran faced in 2024 was economic instability. The key indicator of this instability is rising inflation. Another issue is the budget deficit. When government expenditures exceed revenues, it results in a deficit, which in turn fuels inflation. When the Central Bank is ordered to print money, it leads to increased liquidity.”Governments’ Addiction to Raiding the National Development Fund
The administration of Masoud Pezeshkian, the current president of the Iranian regime, like previous governments, turns to the National Development Fund whenever it fails in economic policies. The electronic voucher program, which had been suspended since early last year, will now be reinstated under a new cabinet decision, financed by a $1 billion withdrawal from the National Development Fund.The Banks of Iran: Serving the Economy or Corrupt Capitalism?Electronic vouchers will provide low-income groups (bottom three deciles) with 5 million rials per person (~$5) and middle-income groups (deciles 4–7) with 3.5 million rials per person (~$3.5) to purchase 11 essential goods. The voucher program covers meat, chicken, eggs, rice, pasta, cooking oil, milk, cheese, yogurt, legumes, sugar, and sweeteners.
Billion-Dollar Withdrawals from the Fund
In September 2024, at the start of Pezeshkian’s presidency, the Iranian regime’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, approved his request to withdraw $8 billion from the fund to settle government debts to wheat farmers, nurses, and truck drivers. More recently, a $17 billion withdrawal from the fund was approved to finance the South Pars gas pressure-boosting project and to channel funds to the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters (a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and several front companies.Economy in Crisis, Without an Economy Minister!
Meanwhile, the Minister of Economy has been impeached and removed from office. “An economic expert stated: One of the major challenges facing businesses is the performance of the Industry Minister, who, due to foreign currency shortages, has restricted currency allocations. This situation has led to reduced production, rising prices, and increased inflation.” (State-affiliated newspaper Eghtesad Online, March 27, 2025)Iran Heading Towards More Crises
The Iranian’s problems extend far beyond the economy. Weak foreign policy, fears of potential wars, uncertainty over succession for the regime’sSupreme Leader, and the possibility of popular uprisings have made the Persian year 1404 (March 2025-March 2026) a year of crisis and potentially the beginning of the regime’s downfall.U.S. Treasury Secretary Consults Global Banks on Iranian Oil Sanctions
Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, met with representatives of 16 global banks and federal law enforcement agencies to discuss U.S. sanctions policies against the Iranian regime, particularly efforts to reduce Iran’s oil exports. He also hinted at the possibility of increased sanctions against Tehran.
On Wednesday, April 2, in Washington, D.C., Bessent announced that the Trump administration is exerting maximum pressure on the Iranian regime to prevent it from accessing financial resources, which are used to fund Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East, as well as the Iranian regime’s nuclear program.
He stated that these financial resources include billions of dollars that the Iranian regime earns annually from oil sales, which it uses to fund its dangerous programs and support several terrorist groups.
U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on Iran’s Drone Supply NetworkOn February 4, former President Donald Trump issued an executive order to resume the maximum pressure policy on the regime. This order specifically emphasized that Iranian oil exports must be reduced to zero.
