On March 6, 2025, the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the People of Iran held a meeting to discuss the increasing threat of transnational repression by the Iranian regime in Europe.
Iran’s Strategic Influence in Europe
The European Parliament has long condemned Iran’s human rights violations and its support for Russia’s war against Ukraine. But new reports show that Iran is expanding its hybrid influence strategies in Europe, including:
- Targeted assassinations and intimidation of regime critics and Jewish communities in Europe.
- Disinformation campaigns on social media to create division and uncertainty within the EU.
- Criminal networks and money laundering to evade sanctions and silence the opposition.
Expert Insights: How Iran’s Repression Works
Three leading experts provided key insights into the Iranian regime’s tactics and their impact:
- Roya Boroumand, founder of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, presented an interactive map documenting hundreds of cases of extrajudicial repression by the Iranian regime.
- Kambiz Ghafouri, journalist and human rights advocate, highlighted the threats faced by media professionals and Iran’s role in coordinated online propaganda.
- Golnaz Esfandiari, journalist and senior editor at Radio Farda, shared examples of targeted attacks on opposition figures and journalists in exile.
Conclusion: The EU Must Act
The meeting made it clear: The EU must take stronger action against Iran’s repression in Europe. This includes strict enforcement of sanctions against those responsible and better protection for activists at risk.
Watch the full meeting in the webstream here.
