The website Zeytoon, close to reformists in Iran, reported that hundreds of political activists, social activists, and journalists in the country received a "threatening" text message on Thursday, asking them to cut off their connections with "hostile elements abroad." According to the report, these threatening messages were sent from "four personal phone numbers," one of which has a user account on the "Imo" application. The message states: "Any communication and cooperation with hostile elements abroad via email, secure portals, and other means of communication is a criminal act and subject to legal prosecution. It is essential to cut off your communications." The message also warns that "this text message serves as the last security warning." According to this website, journalists, graphic designers, and editors of reformist media received this message at 19:00 on Thursday, July 1st, while some political activists, student activists, and families of political prisoners received it at 17:00 the same day. As reported by Zeytoon, even individuals from the field of publishing and children's literature in Iran were among the recipients of this warning text. Meanwhile, the report indicates that some institutions affiliated with Hassan Rouhani's government, including the Minister of Intelligence's office, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and the government's spokesperson's office, claimed ignorance of such a message being sent. According to this website, "this is the first time" that a message of this kind has been sent via "personal phone numbers," whereas previously such messages were sent from an "SMS center." In previous years, especially after the wave of protests following the 2009 presidential election, the Ministry of Intelligence under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned the public through group messages about the consequences of communication with Persian-language media abroad. In 2009, the Ministry of Intelligence also declared the prohibition of "contracting and obtaining facilities" by individuals and institutions from 60 foreign foundations and institutions.
Security Warning Text Messages Sent to Hundreds of Political Activists and Journalists in Iran
Hundreds of political activists and journalists in Iran received threatening text messages urging them to sever ties with foreign adversaries. The messages, sent from personal phone numbers, mark a new method of intimidation by the government, which denies knowledge of the warnings. This development highlights ongoing repression against dissent in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Hundreds of political activists and journalists in Iran received threatening text messages urging them to sever ties with foreign adversaries. The messages were sent from personal phone numbers, marking a new method of intimidation.
- The messages warned against communication with hostile foreign elements.
- This is the first time such messages were sent from personal numbers instead of an SMS center.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a history of suppressing dissent, particularly after the 2009 presidential election protests, using various methods to control communication with foreign entities.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%