Iran’s ‘shadowy’ tactics in Australia | 7.30

Key Concepts:

• Transnational repression by Iran
• Weaponization of relatives
• Physical and online attacks
• Assassination attempts and rendition
• Iran International journalists as targets
• IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)
• Criminal proxies (cutouts)
• Designation of IRGC as a terrorist organization
• Diplomatic channels

1. Methods of Transnational Repression Used by Iran:

• Weaponizing Relatives: The Iranian regime targets relatives of perceived enemies and opponents who reside in Iran. This includes intimidation tactics, imprisonment, and asset freezing. The regime threatens these relatives to silence critics abroad, such as journalists and human rights activists.
  • Example: Relatives in Iran are imprisoned and threatened unless their family members abroad cease their activities.
• Physical Attacks: Increasingly, Iran is using physical attacks, online attacks, assassination attempts, and rendition to target individuals outside of Iran.
  • Example: The stabbing of Puria Zerati, a journalist working for Iran International, in London on Good Friday 2024. Three men flew in specifically to attack him and then flew out.
• Exploiting Holidays: Iran strategically times attacks to coincide with holidays when the world's attention is diverted. This includes Christmas holidays, August, and bank holidays.
  • Example: The attack on Puria Zerati occurred on Good Friday, a bank holiday.
• Online Attacks: The Iranian regime also uses online attacks to harass and intimidate its critics.

2. Targeting of Iran International Journalists:

• Iran International: A popular TV station reporting to people within Iran and the Iranian diaspora since 2017. It has been targeted by the IRGC and Iranian intelligence for holding the Iranian authorities accountable.
• Threats: 45 Iran International journalists worldwide have been threatened with assassination if they do not stop working for the organization. 315 family members globally, including Australians, have also been targeted.
• Correspondents in Australia: Iran International has correspondents based in Melbourne, Australia, and many staff members have family in Australia.

3. Use of Criminal Proxies (Cutouts):

• Tactics: Iran employs criminal proxies to carry out attacks, making it more difficult to trace the operations back to the state.
• Comparison to Other States: Unlike Russia and Saudi Arabia, which often use their own operatives, Iran's use of criminal proxies creates difficulties in tracing individuals involved in transnational repression.
• Examples:
  • In the US and Canada, South American drug gangs are used.
  • In the UK, Eastern European criminal gangs are often employed.
• Challenges: The use of third-party proxies makes it far more shadowy and difficult to trace the individuals involved.

4. Designation of IRGC as a Terrorist Organization:

• Australia: The Australian government has decided to prescribe the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
• UK: The UK has not yet prescribed the IRGC as a terrorist organization due to concerns about closing off diplomatic channels and setting a precedent for designating military arms of foreign states as terrorist entities.
• Arguments Against Designation:
  • Closing off diplomatic channels could hinder efforts to assist British nationals detained in Iran.
  • Concerns about designating military arms of foreign states as terrorist organizations.
• Arguments For Designation:
  • The IRGC is essentially acting as a terrorist state, nationalizing terrorist tactics.
  • The UK should follow Australia's lead and designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

5. Notable Quotes:

• "Iran has been honing its tactics since 1979 in using the long arm of the state to try to silence their critics wherever in the world they may be." - Keelen Galaha
• "We are dealing essentially with a terrorist state. We're dealing with the nationalization of tactics which are essentially terrorist." - Keelen Galaha

6. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Transnational Repression: The practice of governments reaching across national borders to silence, control, or punish dissidents and critics who live outside of their country.
• IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps): A branch of the Iranian Armed Forces tasked with protecting the country's Islamic system.
• Criminal Proxies (Cutouts): Third-party individuals or groups, often with criminal backgrounds, used by a state to carry out covert operations, making it harder to trace the operation back to the state.
• Rendition: The practice of seizing and transferring an individual from one country to another, often for the purpose of detention and interrogation.

7. Logical Connections:

The discussion begins by outlining Iran's methods of transnational repression, then focuses on the specific targeting of Iran International journalists and the use of criminal proxies. It concludes with a debate on the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, highlighting the different perspectives and concerns in Australia and the UK.

8. Synthesis/Conclusion:

Iran employs a range of tactics, including weaponizing relatives, physical attacks, and the use of criminal proxies, to silence its critics abroad. Iran International journalists are particularly vulnerable targets. The debate over designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization highlights the complexities of balancing security concerns with diplomatic considerations. The speaker advocates for the UK to follow Australia's lead and designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, arguing that Iran is essentially acting as a terrorist state.