Latest news with #VahidSalemi
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Two Americans Detained in Iran on Suspicion of Spying for Israel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two American citizens remain detained in Iran on suspicion of spying for Israel following last month's 12-day conflict, according to Israeli state media. One of the men, a Jewish American from Los Angeles with Iranian roots, was recently released on bail. The other, a New York resident, remains in custody. Both were visiting relatives in Iran when they were arrested amid a broader crackdown targeting individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel. Newsweek has reached out the State Department as well as the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel. Why It Matters The detentions reflect Tehran's intensifying efforts to root out alleged espionage, heightening concerns over the safety of dual nationals—especially Americans—and increasing tensions between Iran and the West. These arrests point to heightened risks for those perceived to have ties to Israel and likely will further strain already tense U.S.-Iran relations, with the U.S. State Department repeatedly warning against travel to Iran, citing the real danger of wrongful detention on espionage charges. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What To Know Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that following the conflict with Israel, Iranian authorities arrested at least 35 Jews suspected of spying, including the two Americans. The New York resident, who had left Iran 30 years ago, traveled back to visit family. The other detainee, the Los Angeles resident with Iranian heritage, was arrested alongside him but has since been released on bail. "They came to the wrong place at the wrong time," Israel's Ynet news port quoted an anonymous legal representative involved in the case as saying. Ongoing Negotiations Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi, a Jewish member of Iran's parliament, told local media he had secured the release of several detainees and confirmed that espionage charges were dropped against those held in Tehran. Some were released on light bail, he said, expressing hope that the remaining detainees would soon be freed. However, it was not entirely clear which specific detainees Najafabadi was referring to. He said he was also pursuing the release of detainees in Alborz and Shiraz provinces. Spy Arrests Iranian authorities launched a campaign to shore up domestic security after Israel's attack on June 13, and it continued after the ceasefire on June 24. Iran has detained more than 700 individuals accused of collaborating with Israel or other hostile foreign governments. The crackdown has included mass arrests, swift trials and multiple executions involving alleged spies. Homayoun Sameyah NajafAbadi, head of Iran's 8,500-strong Jewish community, poses in front of a new memorial for Iran's Jewish people engraved with 10 names -five died fighting in the 1980-88 war against Iraq, three were... Homayoun Sameyah NajafAbadi, head of Iran's 8,500-strong Jewish community, poses in front of a new memorial for Iran's Jewish people engraved with 10 names -five died fighting in the 1980-88 war against Iraq, three were killed by Saddam Hussein's bombing of Tehran and the other two died in the tumultuous early days of the revolution that ended the shah's rule- at the Beheshtieh Jewish cemetery in southern Tehran, on January 9, 2015. The eight-acre space in south Tehran is a striking reminder of a minority faith whose more than 1,000-year heritage in Iran dwarfs the comparably short 35 years of the Islamic republic. MoreU.S. Government Warnings U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has warned that Americans, including dual nationals, risk wrongful detention in Iran. The department's website states: "Americans, including Iranian-Americans and other dual nationals, have been wrongfully detained, taken hostage by the Iranian government for months, and years." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged judicial and intelligence officials to ease fears among Iranians abroad, despite the recent detentions. "These individuals are also assets of this land," he said. What People Are Saying Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi, member of Iranian parliament: "We hope the remaining two individuals in Tehran will also be freed soon." Tammy Bruce, U.S. State Department spokesperson: "Americans, including Iranian-Americans and other dual nationals, have been wrongfully detained, taken hostage by the Iranian government for months, and years. The threat of detention is even greater today. Do not travel to Iran under any circumstances." What Happens Next The spate of arrests in Iran are fueling concerns over politically motivated detentions and fears of a wider conflict. Meanwhile, negotiations between Iranian judicial officials are ongoing to secure the release of those still in custody.
Newsweek
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Issues Public Spy Warning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a nationwide warning urging citizens to resist espionage recruitment efforts following a 12-day military assault by Israel. The warning comes amid a crackdown in which Tehran arrested suspected spies accused of working with foreign security services. The message specifically cautioned the public against enemy attempts to infiltrate through mobile phone applications and digital propaganda. The appeal follows direct attacks on Iranian soil, cyber warfare, and domestic sabotage widely attributed to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. Newsweek has reached out the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for comment. Why It Matters Iran's public warning about foreign spy recruitment through mobile apps follows the intense Israeli air campaign inside Iran, which also saw the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. This connection highlights a new front in the conflict that now blends physical strikes with cyber and espionage warfare targeting civilians. As Iran braces against both external military pressure and internal digital threats, the warning reflects a broader challenge facing nations globally in an era of hybrid warfare. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What To Know The IRGC's public message emphasized "coordinated efforts by foreign spy services to recruit Iranians through mobile applications and digital ads." The statement urged citizens not only to avoid such messages but also to "alert others to the threat." While no country was explicitly named, it makes clear that Israel and its allies are the intended targets. Posted in Farsi on X, Iran's ISNA news agency published the IRGC warning, which also stated that "compatriots should vigilantly reject these tactics and inform others as well." پیام سازمان اطلاعات سپاه: با توجه به افزایش تلاش سرویسهای -جاسوسی دشمن بوسیله تبلیغات گسترده روی برنامههای گوشی همراه و دعوت به همکاری و خیانت به کشور، هموطنان با هوشیاری، این ترفندها را رد و دیگران را نیز آگاه کنند — خبرگزاری ایسنا (@isna_farsi) July 22, 2025 Spy Crackdown Since Israel's attack on June 13, and continuing after the ceasefire declared on June 24, Iranian authorities have launched a campaign to shore up domestic security. Iran has detained more than 700 individuals accused of collaborating with Israel or other hostile foreign governments. The crackdown has included mass arrests, swift trials, and multiple executions involving alleged spies. Israeli Fears Meanwhile, the Israeli government has launched its own media campaign warning citizens against being lured into espionage by Iran. Announced by Israel's National Government Diplomacy Directorate, the campaign—titled "Easy Money, Heavy Cost"—features video and audio messages cautioning that the legal consequences of spying for Tehran far outweigh any minor financial reward. The ads are set to run across radio, websites, and major social media platforms. Over the past year, Israeli authorities say they uncovered over 25 Iranian recruitment cases and indicted more than 35 Israelis on serious charges. What People Are Saying IRGC Intelligence Organization: "Please take action to inform those around you and be vigilant regarding this enemy tactic." Israel's National Government Diplomacy Directorate: "The Iranian enemy is expected to further intensify its recruitment efforts and task execution within Israel." What Happens Next In the wake of military strikes and internal arrests, Iran is expected to ramp up surveillance, expand digital monitoring, and strengthen security measures as its conflict with Israel and the U.S. intensifies on both foreign and domestic fronts.
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Escalates Crackdown on Accused Israeli Spies With Mass Raid
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. At least two people have been killed and more than 50 more arrested in a security raid by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), which said it targeted Israeli-linked "terrorists," Iran's state-run media reported. Why It Matters The arrests are a sign of the uncertainty felt by Iran's security establishment after the Israeli and U.S. attacks. Authorities have escalated a security crackdown on alleged Mossad agents following the 12-day conflict in which Israel attacked nuclear and military sites across the country, killing top commanders and scientists. Israel has claimed widespread infiltration into Iranian territory and deemed it crucial for precision strikes during June's 'Operation Rising Lion' in which Iranian air defenses were effectively neutralized. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What To Know IRGC ground forces along with security and intelligence agencies conducted the raids in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan under an operation named 'Martyrs of Security', the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. The IRGC did not clarify how two people were killed during the raids. It added that large amounts of weapons, including arms made in the United States, were found in the possession of those arrested. At least six people had been executed up until last week on charges linked to espionage, such as smuggling equipment and aiding operations targeting major Iranian infrastructure, and 700 arrested, according to state media reports. Human rights groups say Iran has one of the highest records of executions. Amnesty International described executions over accusations of espionage for Israel as "arbitrary" and called on the government to halt them. An Israeli security source told Reuters that the strikes on Iran were supported by years of intelligence work by the military and Mossad. In Israel, police arrested five people suspected of spying for Iran, Yedioth Ahronoth's news outlet reported Tuesday. What People Are Saying Iran's outlet IRNA, citing IRGC statement: "The arrested individuals are affiliated with terrorist groups based in the eastern part of the country. Their operational objectives included spreading insecurity throughout the southern province and executing disruptive acts against infrastructure and economic sectors." Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, on June 20: "Official calls for expediated trials and executions of those arrested for alleged collaboration with Israel show how the Iranian authorities weaponize the death penalty to assert control and instil fear among the people of Iran. The authorities must ensure all those detained are protected from enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment, and afforded fair trials at all times, including during armed conflict." What Happens Next Authorities say they will continue hunting down more "potential accomplices," according to IRNA.
The Star
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Iran voices 'serious doubts' over Israel commitment to ceasefire
People mourn over the flag-draped coffins of Iranian nuclear scientists who were killed in Israeli strikes, during a funeral ceremony in Tehran. Iran, Saturday, June 28, 2025. - AP Photo/Vahid Salemi TREHRAN (AFP): Iran on Sunday said it was not convinced Israel would abide by a ceasefire that ended their 12-day war this week. The most serious escalation to date between the arch-foes erupted on June 13, when Israel launched a bombing campaign in Iran that killed top military commanders and scientists linked to its disputed nuclear programme. Israel said its aim was to keep the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon -- an ambition Tehran has consistently denied, insisting it has the right to develop nuclear power for civilian purposes like energy. The fighting derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, a staunch ally of Israel's. "We did not start the war, but we have responded to the aggressor with all our power," Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, was quoted as saying by state television, referring to Israel. "We have serious doubts over the enemy's compliance with its commitments including the ceasefire, we are ready to respond with force" if attacked again, he added, six days into the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. - Deadly war - In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres published on Sunday, Iran demanded that the United Nations recognise Israel and the United States as being to blame for this month's war. "We officially request hereby that the Security Council recognise the Israeli regime and the United States as the initiators of the act of aggression and acknowledge their subsequent responsibility, including the payment of compensation and reparations," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in the letter. The United States joined Israel in its campaign during the war, carrying out strikes on three key facilities used for Iran's atomic programme. Trump has threatened further strikes should Iran enrich uranium to levels capable of manufacturing nuclear weapons. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran had enriched uranium to 60 percent in 2021, well above the 3.67 percent limit set by a 2015 agreement from which the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018. To make a weapon, Iran would need to enrich uranium up to 90 percent. Israel has maintained ambiguity about its own atomic arsenal, neither officially confirming nor denying it exists, but the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has estimated it has 90 nuclear warheads. According to Iran's health ministry, at least 627 civilians were killed and 4,900 injured during the 12-day war with Israel. Retaliatory missile attacks by Iran on Israel killed 28 people, according to Israeli authorities. During the war, Iran arrested dozens of people it accused of spying for Israel, also saying it seized equipment including drones and weapons. Iran's parliament on Sunday voted to ban the unauthorised use of communications equipment, including tech billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service, according to the official news agency IRNA. - 'Unacceptable'- An Israeli strike on Tehran's Evin prison during the war killed at least 71 people, Iran's judiciary said Sunday. The strike on Monday destroyed part of the administrative building at Evin, a large, heavily fortified complex in the north of Tehran, which rights groups say holds political prisoners and foreign nationals. According to judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir, the victims at Evin included administrative staff, guards, prisoners and visiting relatives as well as people living nearby. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday that detained French nationals Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, held at Evin for three years, were not believed to have been harmed by the Israeli strike, which he described as "unacceptable". On Tuesday, a day after the strike, the judiciary said that the Iranian prison authority had transferred inmates out of Evin prison, without specifying their number or identifying them. The inmates at Evin have included Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi as well as several French nationals and other foreigners. - AFP
Glasgow Times
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Huge crowds mourn Iranian military chiefs and scientists killed in strikes
The caskets of Guard's chief General Hossein Salami, the head of the Guard's ballistic missile programme, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh and others were driven on trucks along the capital's Azadi Street as people in the crowds chanted 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel'. Generals Salami and Hajizadeh were both killed on the first day of the war, June 13, as Israel launched an attack it said was meant to destroy Iran's nuclear programme, specifically targeting military commanders, scientists and nuclear facilities. Mourners during the funeral ceremony in Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) State media reported more than a million people turned out for the funeral procession, which was impossible to independently confirm, but the dense crowd packed the main Tehran thoroughfare along the entire 4.5km (nearly three-mile) route. There was no immediate sign of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the state broadcast of the funeral. The Ayatollah, who has not made a public appearance since before the outbreak of the war, has in past funerals held prayers for fallen commanders over their caskets before the open ceremonies, later aired on state television. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was on hand, and state television reported that General Esmail Qaani, who heads the foreign wing of the Revolutionary Guard, the Quds Force, and General Ali Shamkhani were also among the mourners. Gen Shamkhani, an adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei who was wounded in the first round of Israel's attack, was shown in a civilian suit leaning on a cane in an image distributed on state television's Telegram channel. A mourner holds a poster of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the funerals in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) Iran's Revolutionary Guard was created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Since it was established, it has evolved from a paramilitary, domestic security force to a transnational force that has come to the aid of Tehran's allies in the Middle East, from Syria and Lebanon to Iraq. It operates in parallel to the country's existing armed forces and controls Iran's arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Over 12 days before a ceasefire was declared on Tuesday, Israel claimed it killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while hitting eight nuclear-related facilities and more than 720 military infrastructure sites. More than 1,000 people were killed, including at least 417 civilians, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group. Iran fired more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted, but those that got through caused damage in many areas and killed 28 people. Saturday's ceremonies were the first public funerals for top commanders since the ceasefire, and Iranian state television reported that they were for 60 people in total, including four women and four children. Authorities closed government offices to allow public servants to attend the ceremonies. Many in the crowd expressed feelings of anger and defiance. 'This is not a ceasefire, this is just a pause,' said Ahmad Mousapoor, 43, waving an Iranian flag. 'Whatever they do, we will definitely give a crushing response.' People burn a US flag as they take part in the funeral ceremony (Vahid Salemi/AP) State media published images of an open grave plot at Tehran's Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery where army chief of staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, who was killed on the first day of the war, was to be buried beside his brother, a Guards commander killed during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war. Many of the others were to be buried in their home towns. The Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency confirmed that the top prosecutor at the notorious Evin prison had been killed in an Israeli strike on Monday. It reported that Ali Ghanaatkar, whose prosecution of dissidents led to widespread criticism by human rights groups, would be buried at a shrine in Qom. Iran has always insisted its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes. But Israel views it as an existential threat and said its military campaign was necessary to prevent Iran from building an atomic weapon. Ayatollah Khamenei's last public appearance was on June 11, two days before hostilities with Israel broke out, when he met Iranian parliamentarians. On Thursday, however, he released a pre-recorded video, in his first message since the end of the war, filled with warnings and threats directed toward the United States and Israel, the Islamic Republic's longtime adversaries. The 86-year-old downplayed US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites as having not achieved 'anything significant', and claimed victory over Israel. The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency, Rafael Grossi, has characterised the damage done by American bunker-buster bombs to Iran's Fordo nuclear site, which was built into a mountain, as 'very, very, very considerable'. The complexity and tenacity of Iranians is famously known in our magnificent carpets, woven through countless hours of hard work and patience. But as a people, our basic premise is very simple and straightforward: we know our worth, value our independence, and never allow anyone… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 27, 2025 US President Donald Trump has said that he expects Iran to open itself to international inspection to verify it does not restart its nuclear programme, and White House officials have said they expect to restart talks soon with Iran, though nothing has been scheduled. Iran's parliament has voted to suspend collaboration with Mr Grossi's International Atomic Energy Agency for the time being. In a post on X on Saturday, Mr Araghchi indicated that Iran might be open to talks, but criticised Mr Trump's remarks from Friday in which the president scoffed at a warning from Ayatollah Khamenei against further US attacks, saying Iran 'got beat to hell'. 'If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers,' Mr Araghchi wrote.
