Iran Is Using Foreign Criminals to Attack Its Critics Overseas

Iranian journalist Zeraati, thirty-eight at the time, immigrated to England in 2007 to pursue a mechanical engineering degree. Upon graduating, he secured a position as a reporter for Manoto, a London-based Persian-language television channel that was one of the most-watched in Iran. Zeraati's sharp opinions and Fox News/CNN-inspired style gained him significant attention.

In 2022, he launched "The Last Word," a Friday-night program on Iran International, a satellite channel that had gained traction for its critical coverage of the regime. Zeraati, known for his polished and charismatic demeanor, appeared in a quiffed hairstyle and was reportedly reaching audiences in Iran via satellite broadcasts, where the government's censorship had largely suppressed independent media.

Iran International, established in 2017 with funding from Saudi-British investors, remains banned inside Iran, leading to speculation that it may be part of a media campaign to bolster the Iranian government's opposition. Suspicion arose when the network refused to disclose its private donors and provided little transparency.

As protests erupted across Iran in support of women's rights following the detention and abuse of Mahsa Jina Amini, Zeraati and his colleagues at Iran International continued to broadcast interviews with anti-regime activists and Israeli officials. Their coverage featured videos of street demonstrations, with participants burning their hijabs, protesting against police brutality, and expressing their disdain for the "Islamic Republic of filth."

Zeraati's calls for "the destruction of a murderous regime" and his admiration for Iranian dissident Reza Pahlavi further elevated his profile, resulting in an increase in threats and security measures.

In early March 2024, as Zeraati was commuting to Iran International's studios, he was ambushed by three Romanian nationals. The assailants, George Stana, Nandito Badea, and David Andrei, approached him and attacked him, one of them stabbing him in the leg multiple times. Zeraati's wife had received warnings through a neighbor and had taken precautions, such as installing alarms in their home and moving temporarily to a safe location.

Despite the heightened security threats, Zeraati did not alter his messaging, even calling the Iranian regime "the Islamic Republic of filth" after the executions of two protesters. His program experienced a surge in viewership, while the number of threats against him continued to rise.