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Iran confiscates assets of 129 alleged ‘traitors’ in West Azerbaijan province

Iranian authorities have cracked down on people accused of collaborating with the US and Israel since the war erupted in February while fears of renewed fighting remain high amid stalled peace talks.

Amid FARAHI / AFP via Getty Images
Demonstrators march across the Francis Scott Key Bridge during a rally in support of the Iranian people and to condemn the execution of political prisoners in Iran, in Washington on May 16, 2026. — Amid FARAHI / AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s judiciary seized the assets of 129 people over their alleged ties to the United States and Israel as Iranian authorities continue a crackdown on individuals suspected of spying since the start of the war in February.

What happened: On Monday, the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency quoted the chief justice of West Azerbaijan province, Nasser Atabati, as saying that the properties of 129 “enemy elements and traitors” involved in “anti-security actions” and cooperation with “hostile countries” had been confiscated.

Atabati accused the people of being prominent members of what he called “counter-revolutionary and separatist groups,” adding, “These terrorists, in collaboration with America and Israel, are operating against the honorable people of Iran and against the country.”

He stressed that the judiciary will continue to take “decisive and deterrent actions” against foreign agents and traitors.

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