Iran's judiciary chief warns of heightened security threats
The head of Iran's judiciary on Monday cautioned against what he described as intensified efforts by foreign adversaries to destabilize Iran through terrorism and psychological warfare.
The head of Iran's judiciary on Monday cautioned against what he described as intensified efforts by foreign adversaries to destabilize Iran through terrorism and psychological warfare.
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said that, while these destabilizing efforts have so far been thwarted by Iranian security forces, there is a continued need for strengthened vigilance and heightened security efforts across the country.
"Today, the enemy is working harder than ever to disrupt internal security and create instability in the country through acts like terrorism,” Ejei said, adding that psychological security has also come under threat.
Iran's ruling establishment frequently emphasizes threats from foreign enemies, typically pointing to Israel and the United States. At times, government shortcomings and public discontent over restrictions or economic hardship are attributed to foreign propaganda.
He warned that external forces are attempting to distract citizens with trivial matters, diverting attention from significant national issues.
"To counter this plot, we need the vigilance of all officials and the general public. Some individuals, out of carelessness, play into the enemy’s hands and, even with good intentions, inadvertently contribute to undermining the psychological security of the people."
Supreme Leader appoints the head of the Judiciary, who controls both prosecutors, courts and judges. There is no independent judiciary in Iran.
Ejei said that those contributing to societal insecurity, whether through careless actions or intentional misconduct, will face decisive legal action if necessary.
“Some, either out of carelessness or due to misidentifying the issues, take actions that disrupt the psychological security of society. These individuals should first be warned, and if necessary, swift legal measures will be taken.”
His remarks come as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei earlier commented on national security, advising decision-makers to pay closer attention to online content.
“Not everything should be shared in cyberspace, and the public should not be made to feel fear and anxiety,” Khamenei said.
As part of this focus, Iran’s Criminal Content Determination Task Force recently deemed support for or legitimization of Israel in cyberspace a criminal act. The regulation also criminalizes providing services to Israeli platforms and facilitating Iranian citizens’ travel to Israel through online means.
Ejei’s comments reflect the growing role of social media and the internet in Iran. Over the past decade, platforms have played a central role in organizing and amplifying grassroots protests, most notably during the December 2017 protests, the November 2019 demonstrations, and the 2022 Mahsa movement. Despite government efforts to control the flow of information, social media remains an influential tool for citizens to share information globally.
In authoritarian systems, governments may use online platforms to identify and repress protesters, a risk that has been recognized in recent reports by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran.
In an interview with UN Web TV, the rapporteur highlighted ongoing restrictions on freedoms, reporting that human rights defenders and journalists in Iran are being threatened, and in some cases, detained.
The judiciary’s approach, as indicated by Ejei, appears focused on cracking down on internal dissent, while Iranians rely on social media platforms more than ever.
Addressing rapid demographic shifts, Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi warned on Sunday that declining birth rates could lead to a significantly smaller, aging population, with projections indicating a sharp decline. By 2101, the population could shrink by as much as 50%, with nearly half of the country potentially classified as elderly.
Raisi said that Iran has experienced one of the world’s fastest fertility declines, dropping from an average of six children per family to fewer than three within just a decade. If the trend continues, he explained, the country’s total population could decrease to around 42 million by the end of the century—a drastic change from the current level, which is over 87 million.
“This means half of Iran’s population will be elderly,” Raisi added, urging awareness of the potential social and economic consequences that such a shift may entail.
The issue of Iran’s aging population has drawn concern among officials and demographic experts alike. Hesameddin Allameh, former head of Iran's National Elderly Council, recently described a looming demographic pitfall, as nearly 10 million Iranians are now classified as elderly.
He said that today, the provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran have the oldest populations in Iran, while Sistan-Baluchestan and Hormozgan remaining the youngest, highlighting disparities across the country.
Despite calls from senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, for families to increase the national birth rate, these efforts have shown limited success. In spite of banning legal abortion, and offering benefits such as free land and insurance coverage, the government has failed to stem the tide.
Data from the National Organization for Civil Registration indicated a decrease of 17,000 births in 2023 compared to the previous year, suggesting that the government’s pro-natal policies have struggled to gain traction.
The main factor driving this decline is the economic crisis which has seen over a third of Iranians now living below the poverty line, with inflation staying above 40% for five consecutive years. Other factors include shifting social norms, and urban lifestyle changes, which are increasingly affecting family planning choices.
In addition to Iran’s internal population shifts, Raisi raised concerns about the nation’s demographics relative to its neighbors. While Iran looks likely to soon face a population decline, nearby countries are projected to experience significant population growth.
This disparity, he argued, could have serious implications for Iran's economic and geopolitical standing in the region if current trends persist.
The demographic challenge is contrasted by the country’s annual death rate, currently around 450,000, and an annual birth rate of roughly one million. With a net population increase of approximately 550,000 people each year, the nation is seeing its growth rate decline.
Raisi cautioned that, without meaningful policy changes, Iran could face an existential threat. “If the situation persists, in 100 years, there will be no country called Iran,” he stated, calling for unified action among government officials to confront the issue.
Shahla Kazemipour, a demographer and university professor, said the birth rate decline is nationwide, indicating that the trend will likely continue without targeted intervention. Kazemipour added that Iran’s aging population, which is becoming an inevitable reality, will pose significant economic and social challenges in the coming decades, on top of the country's crisis amid global sanctions.
Currently, the country’s elderly population stands at around seven million, approximately 8% of Iran’s total population, according to Ahmad Moazen Zadeh, head of the Iranian Physiotherapy Association. With the projected growth of this demographic, health and social services are preparing for increased demand, which will require extensive planning and resources to manage.
As Iran contends with the realities of an aging society and the potential for long-term population decline, the future stability of its workforce, economic resilience, and healthcare infrastructure may depend on policy reforms designed to encourage sustainable demographic growth.