IRANIAN SURVEILLANCE OF US PERSONS AND FACILITIES IN 1995

Created: 1/1/1996

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

Iranian Surveillance of US Persons and Facilities iti l'J"5m

instances of probable or suspected Iranian surveillance of US persons and facilities abroad Mere reportedany occurred after the announcement of the US economic embargo on Iran In late April. These incidents involved brazen techniques, especially the frequent use of easily traced diplomatic vehicles. Theatter of intimidation rather thanfor terrorist attacks, but the information collected could facilitate future planning foroperations^

Numerous incidents of probable Irani an-sponsored surveillance of US persons and facilities overseas were reporteduch of this activity occurred in the wake of the announcement of the US trade embargo on Iran in late April. Much of it was observed in easternbut its scope has been virtually worldwide.

This surveillance is occurringime when Tehran is especially wary of US policy toward Iran. Several US statements and actions over the pastonths have been perceived by Tehran as elementseliberate US plan to undermine the Iranian leadership orS military strike. These include:

US military buildup in the Persian Gulfhich was intended to counter Iraqi moves but was misinterpreted by Tehranignal of US opposition to Iran's stance on the disputed islands ot Abu Musa. and Greater and Lesser Tunb

statements by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives in5 that US policy should aim at ovenhmwing the Iranian Gnvemment. together with the introduction of legislation in the Senate to tiGhlen sanctions on Iran.

The announcement in May of plans to base the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain, an act that was publiclyby Iran's Supreme Council for National Security.

Press reports that the US Congress hadillion for coven action against lran.|

The

Each of the examples of apparent surveillance5 involved Iran or Iranians in some way.'other incidents have been reported rhat wc suspect are pan of the same pattern, but they lack definitive links to Iran:

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Original document.

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