CIA steps up Farsi social outreach to recruit Iranians as Trump warns of strikes

CIA’s Farsi Outreach and Security Guidance

WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has posted on social media new Farsi-language instructions for Iranians wishing to securely contact the spy service.

The CIA recruitment effort comes amid a massive buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East that President Donald Trump could order to attack Iran if talks with the U.S. set for Thursday fail to reach a deal on Tehran's nuclear program.

Trump began laying out the case for a possible U.S. operation in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, saying he would not allow the Islamic Republic, which he called the world's biggest sponsor of terrorism, to have a nuclear weapon. Iran denies seeking a nuclear arsenal.

Where the Message Appeared

The CIA posted its Farsi-language message on Tuesday on its X, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram and YouTube accounts.

Who the CIA Aims to Reach

The message is the latest in a series by the CIA aimed at enlisting sources in Iran, China, North Korea and Russia.

Avoid Using Work Devices

How to Contact Securely

The agency urged Iranians wishing to make contact to "take appropriate action" to protect themselves before doing so and avoid using work computers or their phones.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

"Use a new, disposable device, if possible" and "be aware of your surroundings and who may be able to see your screen or activity," continued the message, adding that those who make contact, provide their locations, names, job titles and "access to information or skills of interest to our agency."

Use Trusted VPN or Tor

Those individuals, said the message, should use a trusted Virtual Private Network "not headquartered in Russia, Iran or China," or the Tor Network, which encrypts data and hides the user's IP address.

CIA Declines Comment; Iran Mission Silent

Official Responses

The CIA declined to comment. Iran's delegation to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Talks in Geneva and What’s at Stake

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet Iranian officials led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Geneva on Thursday for a new round of negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Potential U.S. Military Action

Trump has threatened military action if the talks fail to reach an agreement, or if Tehran executes people arrested for participating in nationwide anti-government demonstrations in January.

Protest Crackdown Context

Rights groups say thousands of people were killed in the government crackdown on the protests, the worst domestic unrest in Iran since the era of its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Don Durfee and Bill Berkrot)