Recent reports highlight an alarming rise in Iran's tactics for targeting dissidents abroad, wherein the regime increasingly relies on criminal gangs for illicit activities, including assassination and kidnapping. According to intelligence assessments from the US and Israel, these actions have intensified markedly since 2022, with several high-profile targets, including ex-White House officials, falling under scrutiny. In an unsettling incident, UK police recently arrested a group of Iranian nationals suspected of plotting a terrorist attack, allegedly aimed at the Israeli embassy in London.
Court documents obtained by BBC Eye Investigations reveal a systematic pattern of hiring criminal elements, particularly drawing attention to the operations of Naji Sharifi Zindashti, a notorious Iranian crime figure implicated in various international drug smuggling activities. Zindashti’s connections to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are under suspicion, adding a complex layer to his criminal profile that includes his alleged involvement in the 2017 assassination of Saeed Karimian. Karimian, whose broadcasts were considered a threat to Iranian ideologies, was murdered in Turkey shortly after being sentenced to prison in absentia by an Iranian court.
Zindashti has faced legal repercussions in Turkey linked to these murders, yet his swift escape back to Iran raises questions about possible collusion with Iranian intelligence. Cengiz Erdinc, a Turkish investigative journalist, remarked on the recurring pattern of overlap between organised crime and the Iranian intelligence apparatus, suggesting that Zindashti's criminal enterprise might serve as a cover for state-sponsored hit jobs. The extent of his operations came into sharper focus following the murder of Massoud Molavi, another critic of the Iranian regime, who was killed under suspicious circumstances in Istanbul.
The Iranian regime's strategies for silencing dissenters have evolved, with high-profile cases revealing the involvement of international gangs. Notably, the Thieves-in-Law, a criminal organisation originating from the Soviet Union, has been implicated in several plots, indicating a shift toward more organised and globally coordinated efforts to eliminate threats to the regime. Recent court rulings in the United States have brought to light an Iranian-backed plot aimed at US-Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad. This case, resulting in the conviction of two men with documented connections to Iranian operatives, underscores the operational alliance between the IRGC and criminal organisations.
Alinejad, a vocal critic of the Iranian government and spokesperson for women's rights, has faced numerous threats due to her activism. In March 2025, federal prosecutions linked to a plot against her culminated in convictions for Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, both of whom participated in a scheme orchestrated by the IRGC to assassinate her in New York. The investigation revealed extensive coordination involving digital evidence, including communications between the defendants and Iranian agents, highlighting the extent of Iran’s reach in its efforts to stifle dissent.
As Alinejad continues her advocacy from the US, her calls for the international community to combat Iran's transnational repression gain traction. There have been calls for increased protection for dissidents and actions against the networks that support them. Notably, charges have been brought against Brigadier General Ruhollah Bazghandi, a figure within the IRGC linked to Alinejad's assassination plot, illustrating the US commitment to confronting Iran’s extraterritorial threats.
The emergence of similar operations in Europe further highlights a disturbing trend. The so-called "Sunflowers Case" in Spain, involving the attempted assassination of Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a prominent critic of Iranian policies, sheds light on the broader implications of Iran's use of criminal networks to achieve political ends. Investigations revealed connections between the perpetrator and Iranian influence, reinforcing concerns over Iran's willingness to engage in violent retribution against its opponents beyond its borders.
Amidst these developments, Western intelligence agencies are on high alert, working to unravel the complex web of relationships linking criminal enterprises with state-sponsored activities. With reports indicating over 20 credible threats against individuals in the UK linked to these Iranian operations, the international community faces the pressing challenge of ensuring the safety of dissidents while holding Iran accountable for its clandestine activities.
In summary, the worrying pattern of Iran leveraging organised crime for extraterritorial operations underscores the regime's relentless pursuit to silence dissent and maintain its grip on power. Efforts to dismantle these networks are essential not only for safeguarding individuals targeted by these operations but also for upholding broader principles of justice and accountability on an international scale.
Reference Map
- Core article
- Iran-backed plot against Masih Alinejad
- Charges against senior Iranian military official for plotting to kill Alinejad
- Court convictions in the assassination plot against Alinejad
- The Sunflowers Case involving assassination attempts in Europe
- Overview of threats and implications for dissidents in the UK and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services