Iran’s Disinformation Campaign Aims to Discredit Legitimate Opposition Voices

Immigration Scholar Detained by ICE Reveals Iranian Propaganda Networks Operating in US

In an alarming case highlighting the reach of foreign influence operations within the United States, an academic was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 28, 2025, after reporting a change of address in Dallas, Texas, despite having received prior permission from ICE authorities in Los Angeles.

The individual, who has lived in the United States since 2003 and has been pursuing political asylum since 2013, was detained shortly after appearing on Iran International TV to discuss a lawsuit against Parviz Sabeti, a former Iranian security official. The detention occurred despite the person having no criminal charges filed against them.

“Within days of my detention, online networks began spreading misleading claims about my background and motives,” the scholar explained. “Anonymous accounts distributed conflicting information, often drawing on outlets or individuals linked to regime-affiliated or separatist circles.”

The case exposes a sophisticated propaganda network operated by Iranian state actors and their proxies operating inside the United States. These networks have demonstrated an ability to manipulate American legal systems, media channels, and exploit divisions within diaspora communities to shape narratives that benefit the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Earlier this year, activists abroad filed a lawsuit against Parviz Sabeti through an American real estate attorney. Though presenting no substantial legal claims, media outlets quickly circulated the filing across Persian-language and Western social media platforms. The lawsuit appeared designed primarily to advance historical narratives against Iran’s monarchist movement and discredit opposition figures, particularly Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has been gaining increased visibility as a potential alternative to the current Iranian regime.

This case illustrates how the Islamic Republic conducts information operations beyond its borders. These operations often find willing amplifiers in Western media and academic institutions, especially when framed around human rights or minority advocacy issues.

Intelligence analysts note that these influence operations extend beyond official Iranian state media. Kurdish nationalist groups, including some with Marxist or militant histories, frequently participate in campaigns aligned with Tehran’s interests when such alignments serve their own objectives. Together, they form what experts call a “hybrid propaganda ecosystem” that shapes how U.S. policymakers and journalists perceive Iranian opposition movements.

“These activities influence immigration proceedings, security assessments, and congressional understanding of dissident communities,” explained a former State Department official familiar with Iranian influence operations. “When propaganda creates uncertainty about who genuinely represents opposition groups, American bureaucrats typically respond with caution or delay – outcomes that serve Tehran’s strategic interests.”

The Islamic Republic’s media arms, including Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and Press TV, have spent years cultivating sympathetic voices abroad. They skillfully present regime loyalists as reformers while labeling genuine critics as extremists or impostors. American policymakers rarely trace these narratives to their original sources until after consequential decisions have already taken effect.

Similarly, Kurdish authorities have been documented fabricating charges to discredit critics. The Turkish government employs similar tactics, often attempting to pass false information through intelligence channels to neutralize the effectiveness of dissidents and potentially secure their extradition.

“My detention demonstrates how this influence can manifest in practice,” the detained scholar stated. “It represents not only a personal hardship but also a structural policy challenge. Open societies like the United States remain vulnerable to information operations that exploit legal and administrative systems to neutralize critics.”

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach. Security experts recommend authorities ensure greater transparency in legal processes, improve media literacy in policymaking circles, and strengthen coordination between law enforcement and counterintelligence agencies.

The case remains under review by U.S. authorities. Meanwhile, it serves as a stark reminder that propaganda is not merely harmless speech when it endangers lives and shapes decisions at high levels of policy. As disinformation campaigns grow increasingly sophisticated, American institutions face mounting pressure to recognize and counter these tactics before they undermine policy credibility or harm individuals caught in their web.