From protest to precaution: Iranians in India delete anti-regime posts amid threats from Tehran

Iranians living in India, many of whom have long been vocal critics of the Tehran regime, are increasingly self-censoring on social media following warnings from Iran’s attorney general on Monday. The office has threatened to seize property and warned of harsh penalties for Iranians abroad who support US-Israeli attacks on Iran, sparking new concerns among foreigners with families, homes or business interests in Iran.

For many, the warnings led to immediate action. An Iranian woman with more than 10,000 Instagram followers in India said she deleted several anti-regime posts after receiving a direct threat regarding opposition to Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei. “Even though I don’t have much property at home, I can’t take the risk of endangering my family,” he told TOI.

Others remembered past oppression. Roya, whose family lost their business and apartment in 1988 due to allegations of anti-regime activity, described the lasting financial and emotional impact. “We are still living in fear. I cannot endanger my family in Iran,” he told TOI. He said memories of previous crackdowns still live with him physically. He said that as a child, he would tremble whenever the doorbell rang or the landline phone rang, afraid that someone from the regime would come in and take his father away. “This fear still lingers within me. I cannot afford to endanger him and my other family members in Iran,” he added.

The environment online has become more restrictive. Regime-aligned telegram channels published photos of expatriates protesting Tehran, labeling them as traitors and warning of consequences such as property confiscation, revocation of citizenship and travel bans. Asadi, an Iranian who lives in Mumbai, said most expats have been cautious since the announcement, avoiding posts criticizing the regime. “The post I came across contains photographs and details of around 20 Iranians from the West, with the caption, ‘Being a traitor no longer goes unpunished. They will be identified,'” he told TOI.

According to Asadi, the messages threatened criminal actions such as revocation of citizenship, banning entry to Iran, confiscation of property and stripping of inheritance rights. “Since Monday, all Iranians have become more careful on social media and have stopped posting anything anti-regime,” he said.

He added that the situation has become more complicated following US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure. “Those protesting abroad supported the overthrow of the regime, but supporting foreign forces with attacks that harm ordinary Iranians now risks harming our own people,” he said.
With TOI entries