Recent revelations have shed light on a troubling trend involving the Iranian regime.
According to a shocking report from The Washington Post, Iran has been enlisting notorious criminal groups from Western countries to target its critics who have sought refuge abroad.
The depth and breadth of these operations are more extensive than many might have imagined.
Unveiling the Operations
The investigation reveals that Tehran has been working with various criminal organizations, including the Hells Angels and other violent groups from around the globe.
These gangs have been tasked with abducting and assassinating Iranian dissidents in democratic nations like the US, Germany, and the UK.
Among the recruited groups are the Russian “Thieves in Law,” a heroin distribution network run by an Iranian drug trafficker, and other violent factions from Scandinavia to South America.
High-Profile Targets
The scope of these operations is alarming. Targets include a former Iranian military officer hiding in Maryland, an Iranian-American journalist in Brooklyn, and a journalist in London.
Pouria Zeraati, a British-Iranian journalist, was brutally attacked outside his Wimbledon home in March.
He was stabbed multiple times, an act that followed years of threats and harassment.
Authorities suspect that Eastern European criminals were behind the assault, hired by Tehran to intimidate Zeraati without sparking an international incident. Despite the attack, the culprits remain at large.
Global Reach and Tactics
The Washington Institute has reported 88 violent plots linked to Iran over the past five years, with at least 14 involving criminal organizations.
In the US, recent charges were filed against a Pakistani man allegedly hired by Iran to target politicians, including former President Donald Trump.
Iranian officials have also been implicated in plots against former Trump officials Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, seeking revenge for the US killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard leader Qasem Soleimani.
Foiled Plots and Continued Threats
In Brooklyn, a plot to kill American-Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad was thwarted.
This plan involved a member of the “Thieves in Law” and included a scheme to kidnap Alinejad from New York and transport her to Venezuela.
Alinejad has faced multiple threats, underscoring the persistent danger she faces.
Collaborations and Outsourcing
Tehran has reportedly outsourced some of its operations to notorious figures such as Iranian drug trafficker Naji Sharifi Zindashti, known for his involvement in violent activities.
Zindashti is accused of orchestrating several high-profile plots, including a failed attempt to murder an Iranian defector in Maryland, who had been collaborating with the CIA.
Global Implications
The Iranian regime’s tactics have not only affected individuals but have also sparked a broader trend of authoritarian regimes recruiting criminals for covert operations.
Similar strategies have been observed with other countries, including India and Russia.
For instance, a Sikh activist was killed in Canada last year by individuals hired by Indian security services, and Russia engaged mobsters in Spain to target a defected Ukrainian pilot.
Iran’s Denial
In response to these revelations, Tehran has firmly denied any involvement in assassination or abduction operations.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations dismissed the claims as fabrications created by various adversaries to distract from alleged Israeli atrocities.
As these covert operations continue to unfold, the international community faces the challenge of addressing and countering such threats effectively.
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