Biden and Haley named as targets in Iranian plot to kill Trump

Kayhan and its managing editor, Hossein Shariatmadari, began attacking Pezeshkian even before his cabinet was finalized. Shariatmadari criticized the president's selection of ministers early on, targeting his choices before they were officially confirmed. He went further, accusing Pezeshkian of appointing aides and vice presidents who he labeled "political criminals" and supporters of "seditionists" — a term referring to those who backed popular protests.

A report on Etemad Online website on Wednesday suggested that Hossein Shariatmadari has undergone a "factory reset," returning to his familiar tactic of launching destructive attacks on the president and his administration. The report followed Shariatmadari’s accusation that the Pezeshkian administration has deviated from its commitment to Khamenei’s ideals.

Under Shariatmadari, Kayhan has worked hard to present itself as a media outlet closely aligned with Khamenei’s views. However, this portrayal is not entirely accurate, as other newspapers, such as Ettela'at, Jomhouri Eslami, and Khorasan, are also financially and editorially linked to Khamenei’s office yet maintain different editorial perspectives. This diversity of viewpoints among pro-Khamenei outlets highlights a complex media strategy by the Supreme Leader.

In several reports Iranian journalists and politicians pointed out that what Kayhan writes solely reflects Shariatmadari's ideas and biases rather than reflecting Khamenei's views. Others believe that the paper has a function of being the ‘attack dog’ for Khamenei’s court.

According to Etemad Online, Kayhan's attacks on Pezeshkian seem particularly strange given Khamenei’s favorable stance toward the new president and his cabinet. In recent instances, Khamenei has personally shown support for figures like Vice President Zarif and Health Minister Zafarghandi, who were both targets of Shariatmadari's harsh criticism. This disconnect between Kayhan's hostility and Khamenei's approval raises questions about the motivations behind the newspaper's stance.

The Kayhan whose line of thought often resembles those of ultraconservative Paydari Party pretended that the Pezeshkian administration faces no financial shortages. This was refuted by the President during an interview with the state TV in which he said his government had no funds in the Treasury and he had to borrow money from the National Development Fund to start his work.

In summary, Kayhan's opposition to the Pezeshkian administration centers on several key issues: Shariatmadari's criticism of Pezeshkian's decision to reinstate academics and students dismissed for supporting the 2022 protests, his objections to the appointment of Abbas Araghchi as Foreign Minister and the inclusion of former officials like Javad Zarif in the cabinet, and his negative views toward two reformist-leaning ministers. This broad opposition reflects Kayhan's discontent with Pezeshkian’s choices.

In another report on Wednesday, Etemad Online quoted reformist activist Mohammad Reza Jalaipour, who refuted Kayhan's claims, stating that neither Khamenei's Office nor the IRGC have plans to confront the Pezeshkian administration. He emphasized that the new government is a result of a "win-win" collaboration between the executive branch and Khamenei’s office. Jalaipour expressed optimism about the government's future, noting the Supreme Leader's support.

Meanwhile, an online campaign is calling for Shariatmadari’s resignation, suggesting he’s "tired after 30 years of hard work."

Baku has been demanding a corridor through southern Armenia to connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan enclave separated by Armenian territory.

As commentators and pundits in Tehran were criticizing Russian policy this week, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a post on X on Thursday saying, "Regional peace, security and stability is not merely a preference, but a pillar of our national security. Any threat from North, South, East, or West to territorial integrity of our neighbors or redrawing of boundaries is totally unacceptable and a red line for Iran."

Moscow and Baku want Russia to monitor and control the corridor which can serve as a significant route for trade and energy transport between Asia and Europe, but Yerevan and Tehran are opposed to such a scheme and argue that even if a transport route were to be established, Armenia should have control over it.

Former chairman of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, claimed in a Thursday X post that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s push for the establishment of the Zangezur corridor is a “preemptive move” to pressure Iran. According to Falahatpisheh, this is intended to deter Pezeshkian's government from opening "communication channels" with Washington.

Putin is aware that, despite Iran’s failed pro-Russia and pro-China policy, the key message of the recent presidential election was a call for de-escalation in relations with the West and a move away from dependence on Eastern powers, he argued.

Similarly, Iranian journalist Maryam Salari argues that Moscow's disregard for Tehran’s opposition to the Zangezur corridor must be understood in the context of Masoud Pezeshkian's election and his emphasis on negotiating with the West to lift U.S. sanctions.

“Raisi's Eastward-focused foreign policy had reassured Putin about Iran’s stance, but Pezeshkian's candidacy and his pledge to prioritize negotiations with the West to lift sanctions have unsettled Russia's regional plans,” Salari posted on X.

Russia’s prolonged delay in signing a 20-year comprehensive cooperation agreement with Iran, despite the support Iran has provided in the Ukraine conflict, has increasingly frustrated the Islamic Republic. This hesitation from Moscow has sparked irritation in Tehran, especially given the significant assistance Iran has offered.

“Russia has never cared about Iran's interests … This corridor blocks Iran's access to Europe through Armenia,” the conservative former lawmaker Ali Motahari tweeted Thursday and urged the government of Masoud Pezeshkian to be “perceptive” regarding the establishment of Zangezur corridor.

Tehran recently summoned the Russian Ambassador, Alexi Dedov, to the foreign ministry over the matter and congratulated Ukraine last month on its independence day. The move could be interpreted as an overture to Ukraine and an affront to Russia, according to some pundits.

In an editorial Thursday entitled “Russia’s Geopolitical Coup Against Iran”, the reformist Arman-e Emrooz daily criticized the foreign ministry’s reaction to Russia’s insistence on establishing the corridor.

“The foreign ministry’s reaction has not been sufficiently decisive and deterrent despite the irreparable damage caused by Russia's position which practically leads to the geopolitical suffocation of Iran at its the northern borders,” Arman-e Emrouz contended.

Not only reformists but also the media linked with the Revolutionary Guard have been criticizing the shift in Moscow’s policy.

“Russia has been also advised to avoid taking measures that may impair the strategic relations between Moscow and Tehran, because the idea of the Zangezur corridor will create a new flashpoint near the very delicate boundaries of northwestern Iran,” the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) linked Tasnim news agency warned Wednesday in an editorial on its English portal.

The Persian version of Tasnim’s editorial on the subject was stronger in tone, stressing that “Iran will not accept any changes in its borders and its security peripheries” and underlines that “confronting international bullies is a fundamental strategy” of the Islamic Republic. The editorial also called the corridor “imaginary” and reminded the summoning of the Russian ambassador.

Iranian journalist Mohammad Parsi also took to X to protest that the Islamic Republic still considers Russia as a “friend and strategic ally” althoughMoscow sided with Saddam Hussein in his war against Iran, stood alongside the United States when the UN Security Council passed resolutions against Iran, supported European sanctions, and supports Azerbaijan’s demand regarding Zangezur. “What does this mean?” he asked.

“Russia’s illusions and problems should not distract our country from its own national interests,” Hadi Mohammadi, another Iranian journalist, posted on X.

The thwarted attacks, planned for 2024, involved a criminal network recruited by Tehran to conduct surveillance on Jewish and Israeli targets in Germany. At the same time, a series of arson attacks targeted Israeli-owned businesses in southern France, starting at the end of 2023 and continuing into 2024.

Iran International reported In May this year that Israeli and Swedish Intelligence agencies warned about Iran using criminal networks as terrorist proxies in Europe to carry out a string of attacks on Israeli embassies in Europe since October 7.

Planned attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets in Germany

According to the report, one of the key suspects who is referred to as Abdolkarim S., is a 34-year-old French national with a history of violent crime. Abdolkarim, known for his involvement in the drug trade in Marseille, was allegedly recruited by Tehran to scout Jewish and Israeli-related targets in Europe.

In February 2024, Abdolkarim and his wife traveled to Berlin, where, according to German investigators, he used his wife's phone to locate the office of a Jewish lawyer who represents Israeli clients. Investigators found the address of the lawyer’s office on a navigation app used during the trip. This marked the first appearance of the Iranian-sponsored cell in Germany.

Two months later, in April 2024, Abdolkarim made two separate trips to Munich, this time without his wife. According to Der Spiegel, German security services closely monitored him as he scouted a Jewish family’s business in the eastern part of Munich. He filmed the building, its surroundings, and doorbell signs. Investigators suspect the family, which has close ties to Israel, was the intended target of a planned attack. In one audio message sent to an unknown recipient, Abdolkarim reportedly said, “I have seen the company, there were people inside, but the person wasn’t there,” suggesting he had been scouting for a specific individual.

These surveillance activities did not go unnoticed. German intelligence services tracked Abdolkarim’s movements, leading to his arrest in late April 2024. Abdolkarim was subsequently detained in France, and French authorities have charged him with terrorism-related offenses. His surveillance efforts in Germany are believed to have been part of a broader plan by Tehran to orchestrate attacks against Jewish and Israeli figures in Europe.

Arson attacks on Israeli-owned businesses in France

While the attacks in Germany were thwarted, Israeli-owned businesses in southern France were targeted in a series of arson attacks. Between December 2023 and January 2024, four businesses were set on fire, including a warehouse near Montpellier. The businesses ranged from a water treatment company to a software engineering firm, which on the surface appeared to have little in common. However, investigators, according to Der Spiegel, discovered that all the companies were owned by Israelis, linking the attacks to the same criminal network associated with Abdolkarim.

French intelligence agency DGSI believes the arson attacks were part of a larger Iranian plot to strike Israeli-linked interests in Europe. Investigators reportedly found the addresses of the targeted businesses on Abdolkarim’s phone, suggesting his role in passing the information to those who carried out the attacks. However, the physical perpetrators of the arson attacks have not yet been identified.

Tehran’s use of criminal networks

Western intelligence agencies have been tracking an emerging trend where the Iranian regime uses criminal networks in Europe to carry out state-sponsored terrorism. Tehran has shifted its strategy in recent years, moving away from using its own agents and instead relying on local criminals to execute terror attacks, as reported by Der Spiegel. This approach, security officials suggest, allows Iran to maintain “deniability” by distancing itself from direct involvement.

The thwarted attacks in Germany and the arson in France are part of this broader pattern. Abdolkarim was released from prison in 2023 after serving time for his role in a gang murder. Shortly after his release, he was allegedly recruited by Tehran’s network.

Despite the arrests, investigators remain concerned that media reports revealing the Iranian-backed plot in April may have compromised their efforts to fully dismantle the terror cell.

Although the proposal does not explicitly mention any nationality, the term ‘foreign national’ is widely used by Iranian officials and media to target Afghan migrants, who constitute a significant portion of the foreign population in Iran.

According to a report by state-affiliated ISNA on Tuesday, the plan outlines strict limitations on residence and employment for foreign nationals. The Ministry of Interior is tasked with ensuring that "the population of foreign nationals residing in the country decreases by 10 percent annually."

Additionally, if passed into law, within three months of its enforcement, authorities must ensure that foreign nationals and their families do not exceed "three percent" of the population in any city, village, county, or province.

As part of these efforts, border closures are being implemented and monitored with the help of artificial intelligence. Ahmad Ali Goudarzi, the commander of the Iranian Border Guard, announced that the closure of borders in key regions, including the southeast, northwest, west, and southwest, is advancing rapidly.

“The closure of the borders is being pursued swiftly and is progressing,” Goudarzi stated on Wednesday. He further explained that responsibilities like building border walls and roads have been assigned to the army and the IRGC, while tasks such as installing sensors, cameras, drones, and constructing watchtowers rest with the Border Guard.

The proposal comes amid growing concerns within Iran about the increasing number of Afghan migrants. Earlier this year, the Deputy Governor of Tehran warned about the "threatening" presence of undocumented Afghan immigrants, likening their removal to a "war” effort.

A recent report from the Tehran-based pro-reform newspaper Ham-Mihan revealed that Afghans must now purchase an expensive smart card to stay in Iran, a card that costs one billion rials (nearly $1,700), highlighting the Iranian authorities' intensified pressure on Afghan migrants.

Last year, the Supreme National Security Council banned Afghans from nearly half of Iran's provinces, further tightening immigration policies. Some reports suggest that as many as 10,000 Afghans have been entering Iran daily, with the Afghan population in the country approaching 10 million.

In addition to the growing influx, Iran's handling of Afghan migrants has raised humanitarian concerns. According to Afghan authorities, over 20,000 Afghan children were deported from Iran last year, many of them unaccompanied.

Iran's proposal to reduce the foreign population, particularly targeting Afghan migrants, reflects a stricter approach to immigration control under the new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

The measures look set to intensify the difficulties faced by Afghan immigrants, raising concerns about the broader social and humanitarian implications for the population fleeing Taliban rule in war-torn Afghanistan.

Rejecting a statement by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, the move is consistent with Iran’s long-standing strategy of denying responsibility for its provision of drones used on civilian populations in Russia's war on Ukraine.

In a letter to the President of the Security Council and the UN Secretary General, Iravani attempted to redirect the blame, accusing the US and its allies of "fueling the flame of war" by providing Ukraine with advanced weapons.

Iravani specifically stated that the representatives of France and the UK had invoked United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) to back their accusations against Iran.

He also accused the US of spreading similar false claims and of labeling Iran as a supporter of terrorism, asserting that such remarks are "misleading and baseless", in spite of Iran's support of terror proxies around the Middle East.

The denials ring hollow given the growing body of evidence that suggests Tehran has been actively supplying military hardware to Moscow, including Iranian-made drones.

The drones, including the Shahed-136 and 131 kamikaze models, have been deployed to attack civilian infrastructure and overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, with hundreds of such drones being used since October 2022. Most recently, a large-scale assault involved around 100 Iranian Shahed drones.

Reports from late 2023 indicate that Tehran has also supplied ballistic missiles to Russia. Despite initially denying that it had supplied drones to Russia, the Iranian government later admitted to the transfers but claimed the equipment had been sent before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Over the last 18 months, Iranian-backed plots across Europe have also been foiled as Tehran exports its terror beyond the Middle East to countries including the UK, Belgium, Greece and Sweden.

The head of the UK's MI5 intelligence agency also named Iran as one of the country's biggest domestic threats, while last year, the US named Iran as the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism.