The 2023 report from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Hessen, Germany, reveals alarming details about the Iranian regime’s espionage and terror activities within the country. It highlights that Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) and the Revolutionary Guards’ Foreign Intelligence Service (IRGC) have significantly ramped up their operations, targeting not only opposition groups but also German infrastructure and interests.
The report notes that the primary focus of Iran’s intelligence services is on opposition groups operating both inside and outside Iran. Chief among these are the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), as well as other Iranian groups, and pro-Israel entities. The MEK, in particular, remains a key target of Tehran’s intelligence apparatus due to its long-standing opposition and activism against the Iranian regime.
According to the report, the Iranian intelligence agencies have employed various tactics to gather information on these groups, including recruiting former and current members as agents to infiltrate opposition circles. This is part of a broader strategy to suppress anti-regime activity and stifle dissent abroad, particularly in countries like Germany where opposition groups have a presence.
#German Authorities Warn of Increasing Espionage and Terrorism Activities by #Iranian Regimehttps://t.co/5r882bWNVv
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) June 19, 2024
Additionally, the report underscores that Tehran’s espionage efforts extend beyond just monitoring dissidents. Tehran has engaged in cyberattacks aimed at German critical infrastructure, businesses, and military installations. These cyber activities, coupled with the regime’s broader intelligence operations, pose a serious threat to German security.
The report also highlights Tehran’s use of disinformation campaigns to influence public opinion and promote its narratives. A notable example is the annual Al-Quds demonstration in Frankfurt. The 2023 demonstration saw increased participation, with over 650 attendees, showcasing the regime’s ability to mobilize support for its cause in Germany.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has consistently called for the closure of the Iranian regime’s embassies, which have long served as hubs for terrorism and espionage activities. These diplomatic missions are tools for spreading the regime’s influence and pose significant security threats to countries worldwide. The NCRI has stressed that as long as this regime remains in power, genuine diplomatic and constructive relations with Iran are impossible. The global community must acknowledge what it has repeatedly learned through experience—that Tehran’s embassies are centers of destabilization, and only decisive actions, such as severing ties and expelling the regime’s spies and terrorists, can prevent further insecurity.