CIA Reaches Out to Iranians Using Encrypted Communication Methods

The Central Intelligence Agency has published detailed instructions in Farsi teaching Iranians how to safely contact the agency using encrypted technology. The outreach comes amid ongoing government crackdowns on protesters in Iran and rising tensions between the U.S. and Tehran.

The Central Intelligence Agency has released comprehensive instructions in the Persian language, providing Iranians with methods to safely reach out to American intelligence officials through encrypted digital channels. This outreach effort comes as Iran’s government continues its harsh response to domestic protesters and diplomatic relations between Iran and the United States remain strained.

Through a social media post on X, the intelligence agency announced its desire to establish safe communication lines with people living within Iran’s borders, stressing the critical importance of maintaining digital privacy and security. The agency’s message conveyed that the CIA “can hear your voice and wants to help you,” while providing readers with comprehensive security protocols aimed at avoiding detection by Iran’s government surveillance systems.

The intelligence organization strongly cautioned against utilizing personal computing devices or conventional telephone systems, instead recommending the acquisition of fresh, untraceable equipment that cannot be linked to the individual user. The agency also stressed the importance of maintaining awareness of one’s physical environment and being cautious of anyone who might observe their computer screens or track their digital activities.

To reduce the chances of digital detection, the CIA suggested utilizing third-party web browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox instead of built-in device applications. The agency also recommended enabling Private Browsing or Incognito features, along with similar privacy settings, to prevent the storage of web browsing information.

The security instructions promoted the utilization of identity-concealing and censorship-circumventing tools, including the Tor browser for accessing the Dark Web, while cautioning that Iranian security and intelligence agencies likely monitor numerous websites. The CIA explained that it offers a protected, censorship-resistant communication method accessible through these specialized tools. The agency also recommended using virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent internet censorship and monitoring, and emphasized the importance of clearing browsing records and other digital evidence after establishing contact.

Based on the provided instructions, people attempting to contact the CIA were requested to provide detailed personal and work-related information. This includes their residential city and nation, complete name, professional role and position, along with describing their level of access to information or abilities that might interest the agency. The CIA also sought secure contact details to enable ongoing communication.

The security guidelines described several methods for contacting the agency, including through its official website and through the darknet, an internet section only accessible through special software created to hide users’ identities.

This message represents the most recent in a collection of CIA recruitment communications published in Persian, Korean, Russian, and Mandarin languages, all advertising what the agency calls secure communication pathways.