The United States has taken a strong stance against Iran’s attempts to silence its critics, with the recent indictment of a senior Iranian official and three others linked to Tehran for their role in a failed assassination plot targeting VOA host Masih Alinejad. This move by the U.S. government sends a clear message that it will not tolerate any threats to freedom of speech and will hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
According to the indictment made public on Tuesday, Ruhollah Bazghandi, a senior official in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was charged with participating in a failed attempt to assassinate Iranian American journalist Alinejad in Brooklyn in 2022. This is the first time that a high-ranking official in the IRGC has been directly accused of involvement in such a plot, highlighting the severity of the situation.
FBI Director Christopher Wray stated, “Today’s indictment exposes the full extent of Iran’s plot to silence an American journalist for criticizing the Iranian regime. As these charges show, the FBI will work with our partners here and abroad to hold accountable those who target Americans.” This shows the determination of the U.S. government to protect its citizens and uphold the values of freedom of speech and democracy.
Alinejad, a staunch critic of Iran’s repression of women, has been a target of the Iranian government for her activism. She expressed her reaction to the news, saying, “It shows that this is in the DNA of the Revolutionary Guards.” This indictment serves as proof of the lengths that the Iranian government will go to in order to silence its critics and suppress dissent.
The failed assassination plot is not the first attempt by Iran to harm Alinejad. In 2021, there was a failed kidnapping attempt against her, which was part of a larger plot by Tehran to bring her to Iran. This is a clear example of transnational repression, where a government uses tactics such as surveillance, harassment, and intimidation to target individuals outside of their borders. Alinejad has been under U.S. government protection since then and has had to frequently move between safe houses to ensure her safety.
Despite the threats and attempts on her life, Alinejad has refused to back down from her work. She stated, “I don’t have any guns and bullets – I don’t carry weapons. But this government, they have everything, and they’re really scared of me. And that gives me power – that, even with my words and social media, I’m more powerful than them.” Her bravery and determination to continue speaking out against the Iranian regime is commendable and serves as an inspiration to others.
Iran is known for its strict censorship and repression of journalists and activists. According to Freedom House, it is one of the most prolific countries in targeting individuals outside of its borders. The Committee to Protect Journalists ranked Iran among the worst jailers of journalists in the world at the end of 2023, with 17 reporters behind bars. This further highlights the need for the U.S. government to take action against Iran’s transnational repression.
The Iranian government has not yet responded to the charges, but it is crucial for the U.S. government to hold them accountable for their actions. Alinejad emphasized the importance of this, stating, “This is not a partisan issue. This is about protecting democracy. The Iranian regime is challenging the U.S. government on U.S. soil, and this is targeting freedom of speech, national security, and the safety of America.” This is not just about one individual, but about protecting the values and principles that the U.S. stands for.
In conclusion, the U.S. government’s indictment of a senior Iranian official and three others linked to Tehran for their role in a failed assassination plot targeting VOA host Masih Alinejad is a strong and necessary step in protecting freedom of speech and democracy. It sends a clear message that the U.S. will not tolerate any threats to its citizens and will hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Alinejad’s bravery and determination to continue her work despite the threats serve as an inspiration to all those fighting for freedom and justice.
