Tehran has issued a stark warning, threatening to confiscate the assets of Iranian nationals living abroad who it alleges support the United States and Israel in the ongoing conflict. The move comes as the war enters its tenth day and follows recent U.S.-Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to state media, the prosecutor general’s office stated that individuals who “sympathise, support, or cooperate with the American-Zionist enemy” will face the seizure of their property and other legal penalties. This threat is reportedly based on a law allowing the confiscation of assets from those cooperating with governments or groups deemed hostile to Iran’s security interests. The escalation in rhetoric underscores the regime’s determination to suppress dissent, even among its diaspora.
The announcement follows public celebrations within the Iranian diaspora in cities across the U.S. And internationally, following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. These displays of support for the strikes contrast sharply with the 40-day mourning period mandated by the Iranian regime. A 2025 report by the Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran (GAMAAN) revealed that only approximately 20% of Iranians supported the continuation of the Islamic Republic in 2024, with a majority desiring a different political system.
Diaspora at Risk: Potential Scope of Asset Seizures
As of 2024, the Pew Research Center estimated that around 750,000 Iranians resided in the United States. The potential impact of Tehran’s threat on this population, and other Iranian expatriates globally, remains unclear. Legal experts suggest the practical implementation of such seizures would be complex and face significant legal challenges internationally.
The warning from Tehran coincides with the confirmation that Mojtaba Khamenei will succeed his father as the new Supreme Leader. This transition signals a continuation of the hardline policies that have defined the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously described Mojtaba Khamenei as an “unacceptable” choice and expressed his disapproval of the appointment, according to reports.
Oil Prices Surge as Strait of Hormuz Remains Blocked
Meanwhile, the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, with President Trump demanding an “unconditional surrender” from Iran – a demand that has been firmly rejected. The ongoing war has effectively brought the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, to a standstill, causing a significant surge in crude oil prices. A barrel of oil is now trading at over $100, a level not seen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Finance ministers from the G7 nations – comprising the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Japan, among others – held an emergency meeting on Monday to address the escalating oil prices. While no formal agreement was reached, the International Energy Agency (IEA) confirmed that all available options were being considered, including the potential release of emergency oil stocks. The IEA member countries collectively hold over 1.2 billion barrels of public emergency oil stocks.
The situation remains fluid and highly volatile. The Iranian government’s threat to seize assets adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught geopolitical landscape. The coming days will be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can de-escalate the conflict and prevent further escalation.
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