CIA makes social media push to recruit Iranians as Trump threatens military action
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has released new Farsi-language instructions on social media aimed at Iranians who want to securely contact the agency.
The outreach comes as the United States increases its military presence in the Middle East, with President Donald Trump signaling he could authorize action against Iran if upcoming negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program do not produce an agreement. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump said he would not allow the Islamic Republic — which he described as the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism — to obtain a nuclear weapon. Iranian officials have repeatedly denied seeking to develop nuclear arms.
The CIA shared its Farsi-language message Tuesday across its accounts on X, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram and YouTube.
The post is part of a broader campaign in which the agency has sought to recruit sources in countries including Iran, China, North Korea and Russia.
In the message, the CIA advised Iranians who wish to reach out to take steps to protect their security. It cautioned against using work computers or personal phones and suggested using a new, disposable device if possible. The agency also urged individuals to be mindful of their surroundings and who might be able to see their screen or online activity.
Those who make contact are asked to provide their location, name, job title and any access to information or skills that could be of interest to the agency.
The CIA recommended using a trusted virtual private network not based in Russia, Iran or China, or the Tor network, which encrypts data and conceals a user’s IP address.
The agency declined to comment further. Iran’s delegation to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet Iranian officials led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Geneva on Thursday for another round of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
President Trump has warned that the United States could pursue military action if talks collapse or if Iranian authorities carry out executions of individuals arrested during nationwide anti-government protests in January.
Human rights groups say thousands were killed in the government’s crackdown on the demonstrations, described as the most serious domestic unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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