Iranian Journalists and Activists Under Threat from the Islamic Republic Voices in Exile: Iranian Journalists and Activists in Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey Under Threat Following the Iran-Israel War Following the end of the twelve-day war between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel in June 2025 and the announcement of a ceasefire, Iran’s security apparatus has launched a new wave of threats, surveillance, and targeted actions against Iranian journalists and human rights activists abroad. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Turkey—safe havens for these individuals in recent years—have now become increasingly dangerous and hostile environments. Threats Persist, Even in Exile According to reports from international organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Islamic Republic of Iran remains one of the most repressive governments regarding press freedom. What has intensified in recent years, however, is the regime’s expanding cross-border operations aimed at silencing dissent beyond Iran’s borders. Since 2019 alone, at least 12 cases of attempted abduction, assassination, or direct threats against Iranian journalists and civil activists in Turkey, Iraq, and even European countries have been documented. Incidents such as the abduction of Habib Asyud from Turkey and the brutal assassination of Masoud Molavi in Istanbul highlight the regime’s resolve to eliminate independent voices, even abroad. Kurdistan and Turkey: Unsafe Havens The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has become a major destination for Iranian asylum seekers over the past decade. However, several independent journalists and human rights defenders in the region are now facing threatening phone calls, surveillance, harassment, and even physical violence. Many are being targeted due to their collaboration with Persian-language media outlets or their documentation of the IRGC’s cross-border activities. In Turkey, which hosts the largest number of Iranian asylum seekers, the situation is no better. Some individuals have reported threats, temporary detentions, or indirect pressure from security agencies. Even more alarming are reports of tacit cooperation between local security forces and Iranian intelligence agents. Another War After the Ceasefire: The Battle Over Narratives During the Iran-Israel war, many of these activists undertook independent news coverage, strategic analysis, and documentation of civilian harm. These narratives, often fundamentally different from Iran’s official line, triggered fierce backlash from Iranian security bodies. Threats of "retribution," the publication of journalists' personal information in IRGC-affiliated media, and both virtual and physical intimidation are all part of the Islamic Republic’s organized efforts to silence these voices. One journalist based in Erbil told us: “For us, the war wasn’t on the battlefield—it continued in the anxious nights inside our homes. They want to silence us because we speak of the people’s suffering.” International Silence Equals Complicity Despite repeated warnings by human rights organizations, there has been little serious or effective response from host governments or the international community. Activists are calling for the following: Accelerated relocation to safe third countries Immediate asylum based on documented security threats Active monitoring of the Islamic Republic’s extraterritorial intelligence operations in Kurdistan, Turkey, and Europe An Urgent Appeal to Germany and the European Union Germany, as a global advocate for human rights, free expression, and civil society, bears a critical responsibility at this moment. Supporting the legal and safe transfer of these journalists and activists is not only a humanitarian act, but also a defense of the values upon which Europe is founded: freedom, human dignity, and truth. If these voices are not protected today, there may be no voice left to hear tomorrow.
Shoresh Mohi
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