Exclusive: New Protections for Jewish Places in Iran to Foil Vigilante Attacks

Iranian authorities have increased security at synagogues and other Jewish sites amid Israel’s military campaign against Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, IranWire has learned.

Sources said that the Islamic Republic’s security institutions have stationed uniformed and plain clothed personnel around at the entrance of synagogues since last week as part of measures to prevent potential attacks against the religious minority.

The authorities believe that any attack against Iranian Jews would destroy the Islamic Republic’s recent “foreign policy achievements,” including the ongoing diplomatic rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh, one source said.

"In recent months, during meetings held by [the Basij paramilitary force] and other security institutions, there has been a consistent emphasis on the enemy's intention to undermine Iran's foreign policy achievements and strain the diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia,” the source told IranWire. “As of last week, due to concerns about potential threats against the Jewish community, there has been a notable escalation in the deployment of intelligence personnel and security forces in the vicinity of synagogues and sacred sites of the Jewish community to ensure their safety."

Homayoun Sameyeh, the head of the Jewish Association of Iran, has asked members of the Jewish community not to gather at the entrance of synagogues. 

Some synagogues and Jewish museums have suspended their activities since last week.

A few months ago, closed circuit cameras were installed at Jewish places of worship and the surrounding streets.

In the years after the 1979 Islamic revolution, many members of the Jewish community were forced to leave the country due to discrimination and threats, with the security institutions of the Islamic Republic routinely accusing Jews living in Iran of "spying for Israel." 

Islamic Republic officials say they seek the destruction of Israel but insist they have “nothing against Jews.”