Iran's Judiciary Targets Diaspora with Asset Seizure for Alleged US-Israel Cooperation
Iran's judiciary has declared it will impose severe penalties, including the confiscation of properties, on members of the Iranian diaspora residing abroad who are found to be cooperating with Israel and the United States. This announcement was made on Monday through the judiciary's official Mizan Online website, as reported by AFP, citing the prosecutor general's office.
Legal Warnings Issued Amidst Political Tensions
The prosecutor general's office stated, "Iranians abroad who align, accompany and cooperate with the American-Zionist aggressor enemy will face confiscation of all their property and other legal penalties in accordance with the law." This move follows recent events where some Iranians living overseas celebrated the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. After his passing, Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Tehran.
State media further quoted the office, emphasizing that a warning has been issued to those Iranians abroad who sympathize with, support, or cooperate with what they term the "American-Zionist (Israeli) enemy." The penalties are set to include comprehensive asset seizures and other legal actions as per Iranian law.
Diaspora Details Shared on Social Media Platforms
According to Reuters, newly established channels on Telegram have begun sharing information about prominent Iranians living abroad who have posted comments critical of Iran's clerical authorities. These individuals have expressed support for the US-Israeli military campaign that commenced on February 28. The Iranian diaspora is estimated to number between 5 to 10 million people, with the majority residing in the United States and Western Europe, based on Iranian government data and media reports.
The judiciary's announcement underscores the escalating tensions between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, particularly in the wake of recent military actions and leadership changes. This development highlights the broader geopolitical conflicts affecting Iranian citizens globally, with potential implications for international relations and diaspora communities.
