Iran strengthens internal security measures after decisive resistance against Israeli-American aggression

Department of Research, Studies and International News -26-06-2025

Following a twelve-day confrontation with Israel and the United States, Iran has declared a national triumph and swiftly moved to reinforce internal security and legislative tools to counter espionage and foreign interference. The Iranian leadership, confident in what they describe as a “historic victory,” is now tightening laws and enhancing penalties for those found cooperating with hostile foreign regimes, notably the Zionist entity and its Western backers.

President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the nation on Tuesday night through a formal statement, assuring the public that recent attempts to destabilize Iran have failed. He underscored that foreign efforts to divide and weaken the country were effectively countered, and that unity remains a cornerstone of Iran’s continued resilience.

The Iranian parliament has subsequently endorsed a robust legislative proposal aimed at punishing espionage and collaboration with enemies of the state. Under this draft law, individuals engaged in intelligence sharing or covert activities that support foreign adversaries, including the US and Israel, could now face the death penalty. The proposed legislation broadens the definition of espionage and includes the use of cryptocurrency or material compensation in service to enemy states as a punishable offense.

Alireza Salimi, a senior parliamentary figure, emphasized that these activities fall under the Islamic Republic’s classification of “corruption on Earth”, a serious crime under Iranian law. The new measures are expected to offer greater freedom of action for security forces in identifying and prosecuting individuals who endanger national sovereignty.

Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir noted that existing legal frameworks are inadequate for the current geopolitical context. He explained that the legal ambiguity surrounding espionage has constrained judicial effectiveness, particularly in light of recent threats posed during the war with Israel.

This legislative tightening follows a wave of arrests and executions linked to alleged cooperation with Israeli intelligence. In Urmia, a city in northwestern Iran, three individuals accused of smuggling assassination tools across borders were executed. Authorities have linked these activities to the broader pattern of Israeli operations within Iran, including the high-profile assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020.

Since the onset of the conflict on June 13, Iran has detained over 700 individuals accused of aiding the enemy or undermining national security. Prosecutors across several provinces, including Khuzestan, Kermanshah, Fars, and Gilan, have issued numerous indictments for charges ranging from sabotage to propaganda against the state.

Authorities have also turned their attention to online behavior, warning citizens against engaging with Zionist-affiliated platforms. Users discovered to be following or interacting with such content reportedly received formal legal warnings from Iran’s judiciary, demanding they disassociate immediately or face prosecution.

In parallel, Iran is moving to regulate drone ownership after Israeli forces used unmanned aircraft in their attacks. Parliament has approved initial steps to criminalize the possession of unlicensed drones, a response to the internal drone strikes facilitated by foreign actors.

Lawmakers have also taken steps toward asserting Iran’s sovereign right to nuclear development. In a clear rebuke to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which Iranian officials accuse of facilitating enemy strikes, the parliament voted to suspend cooperation with the body. Some members have even expressed readiness to exit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), asserting that national security demands full control over the country’s nuclear agenda.

During the parliamentary session, chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” echoed through the chamber as lawmakers rallied in defense of Iranian sovereignty. Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf affirmed that the country’s nuclear ambitions would now proceed with renewed strength and urgency.

While Western outlets such as CNN reported that recent U.S. strikes failed to compromise Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear facilities, Washington’s frustration is growing. U.S. President Donald Trump, reportedly displeased by the ineffectiveness of these strikes, has faced criticism at home for underestimating Iran’s preparedness.

Meanwhile, the IAEA has publicly admitted it lacks precise knowledge of Iran’s enriched uranium reserves, particularly the 408 kilograms of 60-percent enriched stockpile, further evidence of Iran’s strategic advantage in this escalating confrontation.

In sum, Iran has emerged from this latest battle not only intact but more determined than ever to fortify its defenses against external manipulation. The message is clear: The Islamic Republic remains steadfast in its resistance against imperialist agendas, and will respond to aggression not with retreat, but with intensified national resolve.