These annual reports provide a detailed examination of the threats posed by Iran’s intelligence operations and their broader implications.
Espionage and Influence
Hamburg’s Constitutional Protection Office has identified the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) as the primary orchestrator of Iran’s espionage activities in Western countries, including Germany. These operations are particularly focused on undermining the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), groups that aim to overthrow Iran’s religious dictatorship. The report highlights Iran’s infiltration and support of Islamic fundamentalist centers in Germany, warning of efforts to export its reactionary ideology.
According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, pro-regime institutions in Germany act as extensions of the Iranian state, promoting its theocratic doctrine. This extensive network is not only a threat to national security but also a means for the Iranian regime to exert ideological influence far beyond its borders.
Europe should change its approach and develop a new Iran policy. It's the responsibility of European countries to blacklist the MOIS and IRGC, and to shut down its embassies and centers https://t.co/IWh9bJOZe4 #ShutDownIranTerrorEmbassies @HeikoMaas @dpa @eu_eeas
— Masumeh Bolurchi (@MasumehBolurchi) May 9, 2021
Human Rights Abuses
The reports paint a grim picture of the human rights situation in Iran. The state, installed in 2021, systematically restricts personal and political freedoms, leading to the highest execution rate relative to its population globally. Arbitrary arrests forced confessions, and pressure on families are common, with prisons being overcrowded and unsafe. Freedom of expression is heavily curtailed, with strict internet monitoring and violent repression of peaceful protests.
Terrorism and Violent Activities
The report from North Rhine-Westphalia echoes these concerns, detailing the Iranian regime’s use of its intelligence services to target exiled opposition groups in Germany and Europe. Methods range from traditional espionage and infiltration to cyber-attacks and physical violence against high-profile dissidents.
A notable incident involved an MOIS operative with diplomatic credentials, sentenced in Belgium for planning a bomb attack on the MEK’s annual gathering near Paris in 2018. Despite his conviction, he was later exchanged for a Belgian NGO worker imprisoned in Iran.
Verfassungsschutz: #Iran-Moschee in Hamburg soll „islamische Revolution“ umsetzen https://t.co/wzxTSlEs61 via @welt Um den iranischen Staatsterrorismus &Fundamentalismus zu bekämpfen, ist Austausch mit der iranischen Hauptopposition (#NWRI & #MEK) notwendig. #FreeIran2021
— Javad Dabiran (@JavadDabiran) July 16, 2021
Another alarming case involved an arson attack on a synagogue in Bochum, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The perpetrator was convicted, highlighting the persistent threat of Iranian state terrorism.
Nuclear Threat
The North Rhine-Westphalia report also addresses Iran’s nuclear ambitions, noting continuous violations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The regime’s persistent attempts to procure technology illicitly in Germany underscore the need for stringent non-proliferation efforts to mitigate this threat.
Call to Action
In response to these findings, the German office of, expels their agents, shut down Iranian embassies involved in espionage, and activate the “snapback” mechanism under UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
These reports underscore the urgent need for Germany and its allies to address the growing threat posed by Iranian espionage and terrorism, ensuring the safety and security of their citizens while upholding human rights and international norms.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
