The move coincides with a major U.S. military buildup in the Middle East, as President Donald Trump signals he might authorize strikes on Iran if nuclear talks with Tehran fail.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has intensified efforts to recruit Iranians as intelligence sources, posting detailed instructions in Farsi on how to safely contact the agency, amid rising tensions and the possibility of U.S. military action against Iran.
This outreach comes as the United States continues a major military buildup in the Middle East, with President Donald Trump suggesting he could order strikes on Iran if nuclear negotiations with Tehran fail.
On Tuesday, the CIA published a message across X, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, and YouTube, urging potential Iranian contacts to prioritize their safety before reaching out.
Vibeslyfe translated the opening of the message on X as:
“Hello. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) can hear your voice and wants to help you. Below is the necessary guidance on how to securely contact us virtually.”
Source
The agency advised individuals to take precautions, including avoiding work computers and personal mobile phones. It recommended using a new, disposable device if possible, and staying aware of one’s surroundings to prevent others from seeing activity.
Prospective contacts were asked to provide their location, name, job title, and any information or skills that might be of interest to the CIA. The message also suggested using a trusted Virtual Private Network not based in Russia, Iran, or China, or the Tor Network, which encrypts data and hides a user’s IP address.
The Farsi-language outreach is the latest in a series of recruitment drives targeting potential sources in Iran, China, North Korea, and Russia, reflecting a broader push to expand human intelligence capabilities in rival states.
Reuters reports that the CIA declined to comment on the latest initiative. Iran’s delegation to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The recruitment drive coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts. 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 nuclear talks.
President Trump has warned that military action could follow if negotiations collapse or if Tehran continues executions of individuals arrested during nationwide anti-government protests in January. Rights groups say thousands were killed in the crackdown, describing it as the most severe domestic unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump emphasized the need for potential action, saying he would not allow the Islamic Republic, which he described as the world’s top sponsor of terrorism, to acquire a nuclear weapon. Iran, however, has consistently denied pursuing a nuclear arsenal.