Iran Issues Stark Warning: Citizens Abroad Risk Losing Property Over Support For U.S., Israel Attacks

Iran has warned that it may seize property and impose legal sanctions on Iranians living overseas who openly support the United States or Israel following the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The warning was issued on Monday by the Iranian prosecutor general’s office as some members of the Iranian diaspora celebrated Khamenei’s death in cities across Europe and the United States.

On the same day, Iran announced Mojtaba Khamenei as the successor to his father.

According to a statement quoted by state media, Iranian authorities cautioned citizens abroad against backing what it described as the “American-Zionist (Israeli) enemy.”

“A warning has been issued to Iranians living overseas who in any way sympathise with, support, or cooperate with the American-Zionist enemy. Such individuals will face the confiscation of all their properties and other legal consequences in accordance with the law,” the prosecutor general’s office stated.

Meanwhile, several newly created Telegram channels have begun publishing personal details of prominent Iranians living abroad who have criticised Iran’s clerical leadership and voiced support for the US-Israeli military campaign that began on February 28.

Some members of the Iranian diaspora seeking political change in Tehran also took to the streets in cities across Europe and the United States to celebrate Khamenei’s death amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Estimates from Iranian government data and media reports suggest that between 5 million and 10 million Iranians live outside the country, with most residing in the United States and Western Europe.

Analysts say the warning about property confiscation appears to be an attempt by Tehran to silence critics among Iranian expatriates who left the country and now live in nations where freedom of expression protects political views.

Although Iranian authorities have previously targeted diaspora critics through online intimidation and by pressuring relatives still living in Iran, the latest threat of property seizure signals a stronger effort by Tehran to influence political speech among its citizens abroad.