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WASHINGTON (AP) — In a strategic move on Tuesday, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provided detailed guidance for potential informants in Iran, offering Farsi-language instructions on how to safely establish contact with the U.S. spy agency. This development comes as President Donald Trump considers potential military action against Iran.
This latest outreach is part of a broader CIA effort to connect with individuals in various countries, with previous recruitment messages shared in languages such as Korean, Russian, and Mandarin. The Farsi-language communication, distributed via platforms like X, Instagram, and YouTube, coincides with a particularly tense period in U.S.-Iran relations, marked by internal unrest within Iran’s theocratic regime.
The United States has positioned its most significant military presence in the Middle East in several decades, reflecting escalating tensions with Iran. In January, President Trump issued a military threat following the Iranian government’s severe suppression of nationwide protests. Subsequently, his focus shifted to Iran’s contentious nuclear program, urging them to negotiate a deal. Diplomatic talks are scheduled to resume later this week.
Amidst this backdrop, fresh signs of unrest have emerged in Iran, with students staging anti-government demonstrations at universities in Tehran on Monday.
“Hello. The Central Intelligence Agency hears you and wants to help,” the CIA’s message stated, as per an English translation. “Here are some tips on how to make a secure virtual call with us.”
The Farsi-language post racked up millions of views within just a few hours.
The agency won’t disclose details about the new tips or sources that resulted from earlier recruitment videos, but Director John Ratcliffe has said the posts are having an impact.
“Last year, CIA’s Mandarin video campaign reached many Chinese citizens, and we know there are many more searching for a way to improve their lives and change their country for the better,” Ratcliffe said earlier this month when a new Mandarin video was posted.
The CIA’s tips include using a virtual private network, or VPN, to circumvent internet restrictions and surveillance, and the use of a disposable device that can’t easily be traced back to the user. The CIA also urged potential informants to use private web browsers and to delete their internet history to cover their tracks.
The instructions include ways to reach the CIA on its public website or on the darknet, a part of the internet that can only be accessed using special tools designed to hide the user’s identity. The CIA has also posted similar instructions in Russian.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment about the new video.
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