Iran warns expatriates over asset seizure for backing US-Israel

Iran’s judiciary has warned that Iranian citizens living abroad could face the seizure of their assets if they cooperate with countries Tehran considers hostile, amid the ongoing war involving the US and Israel.

The warning came in a statement issued by the Office of Iran’s Prosecutor General, which said such cooperation could result in confiscation of all assets and other legal penalties if deemed harmful to national security.

According to the statement, the measure is based on a law passed in October that increased penalties for espionage and cooperation with countries regarded by Tehran as hostile.

Under the law, "any operational action on behalf of the Zionist regime or hostile governments, including the US government or other hostile regimes and groups… warrants the confiscation of all assets… and the penalty of execution," according to the text cited by state-run media reported by Anadolu Agency.

The judiciary warning appeared to be directed particularly at Iranians abroad who have publicly supported US-Israeli attacks on the country.

The statement said operational or intelligence activities carried out on behalf of Israel, the United States or other hostile governments could lead to "confiscation of all assets and other legal penalties", according to reporting by Iran International.

The announcement came after some members of the Iranian diaspora gathered in cities across Europe and the US to celebrate the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader during the conflict.

A minority have fully embraced the US and Israel's war on the country, with them believing it could see a return of Reza Pahlavi, the heir of the alleged Pahlavi dynasty that was overthrown by a popular revolution in 1979.

Online activity has also intensified in recent days, with newly created Telegram channels publishing information about prominent Iranians abroad who criticised Iran and supported the deadly, unprovoked US-Israeli airstrikes that began on 28 February.

The war has already caused heavy casualties.

Iranian authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed and over 10,000 injured since the attacks began, while Tehran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

Amid the escalating conflict, Iran’s Assembly of Experts selected Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.

The warning to expatriates comes as Iranian officials attempt to tighten internal security and deter collaboration with foreign governments during wartime.

Iran has a large global diaspora. Official figures from Iran’s foreign ministry indicate that around 4 million Iranians live abroad, although some estimates place the number between 4 million and 10 million, with major communities in North America and Europe.