The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has formally requested that members of the public assist state authorities by identifying political opponents who are living abroad. This directive, reported by Iran International, represents a significant step in the state's ongoing campaign to track and suppress dissent beyond its national borders.

While the specific mechanisms for reporting this information were not detailed in the initial report, the call for public participation suggests an attempt to crowdsource surveillance of the Iranian diaspora. Historically, the Iranian government has utilized various methods to pressure dissidents living in foreign countries, including legal threats, harassment of family members remaining in Iran, and, in some documented cases, extrajudicial operations.

This development raises concerns regarding the safety of Iranian activists, journalists, and former officials who have fled the country. By involving the general public in the identification process, the state is effectively extending its reach into the private lives of expatriates. The move is viewed by many international observers as a tactic to create a climate of fear and self-censorship among those who have spoken out against the regime from abroad. As of now, there has been no official statement from the Iranian government regarding the specific intent behind this data collection or how the gathered information will be utilized in future legal or security operations.