Expanded Law Targets Cooperation with ‘Hostile States’
Tehran: Authorities in Iran have warned that individuals accused of espionage or cooperation with hostile states could face the death penalty and asset confiscation, a judiciary spokesperson said as the conflict continues. The announcement comes nearly a month after hostilities escalated involving the United States and Israel.
According to officials, the enhanced law applies to a wide range of activities, including operational, intelligence, and media-related actions deemed to support adversarial governments. Furthermore, authorities stated that even sharing images or videos that could assist enemy targeting may qualify as intelligence cooperation.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that security forces have arrested more than 1,000 individuals over the past month. These arrests involve accusations of filming sensitive sites, spreading anti-government content, or assisting hostile actors.
Crackdown Intensifies with Arrests and Indictments
In addition, the judiciary confirmed that prosecutors have issued approximately 200 indictments in such cases. Officials emphasized that enforcement will remain strict, particularly during wartime conditions. Consequently, authorities have begun identifying and seizing assets linked to suspects.
Moreover, the spokesperson warned that individuals accused of spreading misinformation or creating public fear could face prison sentences under strengthened wartime penalties. The government argues that such measures are necessary to maintain national security and stability during the ongoing crisis.
However, the crackdown has raised concerns among observers about civil liberties and freedom of expression. Despite this, Iranian authorities insist that they will show no leniency in applying the law.
As tensions persist, the measures reflect a broader effort by Tehran to tighten internal security and control information flows during an increasingly volatile regional conflict.
