Members of the G7 have expressed strong condemnation towards recent actions taken by Iran, accusing the country of engaging in transnational repression and targeting political opponents in foreign territories. The G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, comprised of Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement denouncing Iran’s activities, which have been reported by multiple nations.
The statement highlighted Iranian intelligence services’ escalating efforts to harm, abduct, and intimidate political dissidents abroad, showcasing a worrisome pattern of transnational repression that undermines the sovereignty of states. Additionally, the G7 report pointed out other malicious activities conducted by Iran, including schemes to gather and expose journalists’ personal information and actions aimed at sowing division in societies and intimidating Jewish communities.
Global Affairs Canada disclosed that its Rapid Response Mechanism team uncovered a cyber operation orchestrated by the Iran-linked group Handala Hack Team, targeting five international journalists of Iranian descent, one of whom is based in Canada. The operation, identified as a “hack and leak” campaign, involved the dissemination of compromised materials, ranging from official documents to private content, starting on July 8 and later amplified across various social media platforms and Iranian news outlets.
Moreover, Australia and New Zealand have joined the chorus of condemnation against Iran, citing instances of attacks against the Jewish community. Australia took decisive action by expelling the Iranian ambassador and three diplomats following the attacks, with New Zealand echoing Australia’s stance against Iran’s hostile behavior.
Earlier this year, Iran was specifically highlighted in Canada’s public inquiry into foreign interference, with Justice Marie-Josée Hogue’s final report identifying Iran as a significant transnational threat due to its alleged monitoring, influencing, and intimidation of the Iranian diaspora community in Canada to suppress dissent.
Despite these developments, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has yet to provide a response to the G7’s statement, as reported by CBC News.
