Iran Seizes Assets of 129 People Accused of Ties to U.S. and Israel

JAKARTA - Iranian authorities have seized the assets of 129 people described as separatists and "enemy agents" who cooperate with the US and Israel against the country.

The Mizan Online website of the judicial institution quoted the head of the West Azerbaijan judiciary, Nasser Atabati, as saying that the individuals were involved in "anti-security actions" and cooperation with "enemy countries".

"Assets of 129 agents of the enemy and traitors to the homeland have been confiscated for the public interest and for the welfare of the people," Atabati said, launching The National (19/5).

"The assets of 129 agents of the enemy and traitors to the homeland have been confiscated for the public interest and for the welfare of the people," he said.

Furthermore, Atabati said the judiciary would continue to confiscate assets and warned of "firm and deterrent action" against those accused of threatening national security.

Iranian authorities routinely label opposition activists, Kurdish armed groups, and dissidents abroad as "anti-revolutionary" or "separatists". Human rights groups say the charges are often used broadly in national security cases.

The announcement follows similar seizures across Iran amid a widespread crackdown on alleged foreign-backed networks.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on May 16 that authorities in Yazd Province seized assets belonging to 51 people accused of collaborating with enemy networks, including Israel, in an effort to undermine security and national interests.

The latest seizure took place in Western Azerbaijan, a province bordering Iraq and Turkey that has long been a sensitive security zone where Iranian forces have clashed with Kurdish militant groups based across the border in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The move comes amid renewed risks of hostilities between Iran and the US and its ally Israel after recent fighting and a fragile ceasefire.