Iran warns diaspora over support for US and Israel

The Iranian attorney general’s office has warned citizens living abroad that their property may be confiscated and they may face further legal sanctions if they support the United States or Israel. The warning was reported on Monday by Iranian state media.

The statement applies in particular to members of the Iranian diaspora who, according to the prosecutor’s office, sympathise with, support or cooperate with the ‘American-Zionist enemy’.

The move follows demonstrations by some Iranians living abroad in cities across Europe and the United States. According to reports, the gatherings were intended to celebrate the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Tehran later announced on Monday that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain ayatollah, had become the new supreme leader.

At the same time, new channels appeared on the Telegram platform publishing information about prominent Iranians living abroad. They reportedly shared comments criticising the Iranian spiritual leadership and supporting the US-Israeli military operation that began on February 28.

According to the Iranian government, around five million citizens live abroad, while some local media estimate the number to be as high as ten million.

(reuters, max)