Following a CNN investigation into potential links between Iran and a recent spate of antisemitic attacks in Europe, Telegram channels examined in the report have been removed from the platform.
One channel, VIPEmployment – which had asked a CNN journalist what actions they could take “against Zionist individuals or assets” and told the undercover reporter they were looking to “hire anyone who can harm Israeli interests or individuals” – had disappeared from Telegram by Tuesday morning. Other accounts linked to the channel also seem to have been removed in recent hours.
CNN’s story, published Monday, showed how VIPEmployment was openly claiming to recruit “high-paid agents” around the world to act against Israeli individuals and assets. It also found other accounts claiming to be Iranian intelligence who offered money, paid via crypto, to carry out low level anti-West protests.
The report also found a Telegram channel by the same name appeared in Israeli indictments and other official documents. Israeli officials allege it was used by Iran to recruit Israelis to spy on sensitive sites and individuals in exchange for money.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared CNN’s report online on Monday describing the recruitment channels as “outsourcing terror” and calling on the governments of other countries to do more, saying: “Host countries of Iranian diplomats cannot keep ignoring the regime’s networks and activities operating on their soil.”
In a message sent to CNN on Telegram when VIPEmployment was closed down, another user calling themselves “Sina” said: “If (US President Donald) Trump and (Israeli leader Benjamin) Netanyahu’s opponents want to support free people, the whole media screams. Our communication channel for free people is always open.”
The channel appears to have immediately launched a similarly named handle on Telegram, indicating just how hard it is for authorities to crack down on social media recruitment by foreign or hostile interests.
