Iran Is Using Foreign Criminals to Attack Its Critics Overseas
- Posted on August 24, 2026
- By The New Yorker
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
The Iranian government has escalated its campaign against political opponents by recruiting international criminal networks to carry out violent attacks abroad. Recent incidents, including an assault on prominent dissident Pouria Zeraati in London orchestrated through Romanian criminals, reveal a sophisticated strategy to intimidate and silence expatriate critics. This pattern demonstrates how authoritarian regimes exploit organized crime to extend their reach beyond borders, creating a climate of fear among diaspora communities opposing the Tehran regime.
Summary auto-generated by AI from the original publisher's content. Editorial standards.
Iran Is Using Foreign Criminals to Attack Its Critics Overseas
Pouria Zeraati, a dissident who was living in London, was stabbed by a group of Romanian thugs. His case is part of a widening campaign by the Iranian regime to silence its detractors.
