Iran: "UK and Saudi Will Pay the Price for Inciting Anti-Regime Agitation"

Iran Intelligence Ministry Considers UK-Based Media 'Iran International' a Terrorist Organization
Allegations Arise That Two Affiliated Journalists Faced Threats of Murder

The appearance of Niloufar Hamedi (30) and Elahe Mohammadi (35), who were indicted by the Iranian government on charges of 'anti-regime agitation' after reporting on the suspicious death of Mahsa Amini, along with other detained journalists. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Sung-wook] Iranian authorities publicly condemned the UK and Saudi Arabia for continuously reporting on anti-government protests, accusing them of inciting anti-regime agitation.

On the 9th (local time), according to the state-run IRNA news agency, Esmail Khatib, the Minister of Intelligence, stated that there is evidence of British involvement in the anti-government protests. Minister Khatib claimed, "Anti-regime propaganda that incites protests and riots is being conducted through the UK," adding, "The UK will pay the price for such actions that stir chaos within Iran." He also said, "Saudi Arabia, which funds the anti-regime media outlet 'Iran International,' is responsible for fomenting unrest within Iran," and warned, "Individuals associated with this media will be considered terrorists and punished decisively."

The Iranian government asserts that foreign powers are involved in the anti-government protests. In particular, it accused the UK of using the media to incite protests. Iranian authorities consider 'BBC Persian' and 'Iran International' as anti-regime media and have banned their broadcasts within the country. Since these outlets broadcast news in Persian, they have been a source of information for Iranians seeking news about the protests. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "They have been recognized as a terrorist organization by the Iranian Intelligence Ministry and operatives will be sought," adding, "Any future connections with this terrorist organization will be regarded as acts entering the realm of terrorism and threatening national security."

There have also been allegations that two journalists active in the UK have been threatened with assassination. On the 8th, 'Iran International' issued a statement saying, "The police have informed us that threats against two British-Iranian journalists have recently increased," and claimed, "The deadly threats against British citizens on British soil have occurred after warnings from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian authorities in recent weeks."

The Iranian government recently charged two domestic journalists who reported on the suspicious death of Mahsa Amini with "anti-regime agitation." On the 8th, the Iranian judiciary announced that journalists Niloufar Hamedi (30) and Elahe Mohammadi (35) are accused of "inciting social unrest and anti-state propaganda." Both were arrested last month and are currently detained at Evin Prison. If convicted, they could face the death penalty.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.