Iran's prosecutor general's office has issued a stern warning to Iranians living abroad, threatening the confiscation of their properties and additional legal penalties if they express sympathy, support, or cooperation with the United States and Israel amid the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026. The statement, carried by state media, targets diaspora members who have voiced criticism of Iran's clerical authorities or celebrated developments in the conflict, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in early strikes.

The warning follows reports of marches and demonstrations organised by Iranians abroad in cities across Europe and the United States, where participants expressed support for the military actions and called for political change in Tehran. Some newly established Telegram channels have reportedly shared names and details of prominent Iranians overseas who posted comments backing the US-Israeli operation or denouncing the Iranian regime, potentially exposing them to scrutiny under the new threats.

Iran's government estimates that up to 5 million Iranians live abroad, with figures from Iranian media placing the number closer to 10 million, primarily in the United States and Western Europe. Many in the diaspora have long opposed the Islamic Republic's theocratic rule, and recent events have intensified expressions of dissent from afar. The prosecutor general's office framed its warning as a response to what it described as alignment with the “American-Zionist enemy", vowing enforcement in accordance with Iranian law.

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Reactions from Iranians abroad have largely dismissed the threats as ineffective. Meyam Aghakhani, an Iranian-origin shop worker in London, told Reuters he was unconcerned, emphasising solidarity with those protesting inside Iran who face live ammunition unarmed and risk death. “My war and my fight continue without any hesitation,” he said, highlighting that property concerns pale in comparison to the sacrifices made by people within the country.

Similarly, Naser Kayvani, who owns a dry cleaning business in London, stated that Iranians have no choice but to continue opposing the regime after more than 40 years of attempts to bring about change, referencing recent killings of protesters by government forces. Such sentiments reflect a broader defiance among segments of the diaspora, many of whom view the threats as symbolic rather than practically enforceable given their residence outside Iran.

The warning comes shortly after the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader, signalling continuity in leadership amid the war. As the conflict disrupts domestic stability and draws international attention, Iran's authorities appear intent on suppressing perceived internal and external dissent through legal and economic measures, even as their ability to act against citizens abroad remains limited by jurisdictional constraints.

The development underscores the deepening divide between Iran's ruling establishment and parts of its overseas population, with the regime using property seizure threats as a tool to deter vocal opposition from exile communities while the military campaign continues to unfold.

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