TEHRAN – Verbal abuse, threats of sexual assault, and physical violence were what Iranians trying to vote on June 28 in Western nations were met with as they made their ways towards polling stations.

Individuals affiliated with anti-Iran groups, including terrorists, separatists, and monarchists, ensured that any Iranian who chose not to comply with their media campaigns advocating for the boycott of the presidential election left with a traumatizing experience of brutal retaliation following their vote.

Then they took to social media to brazenly share evidence of their savage and brutal actions. A woman boasted that she had forcefully snatched an elderly lady's hijab, a guy in his 20s bragged that he had prevented a man from casting his vote by threatening to "crush his brains", and a group of young men said they had harassed a young girl by implying that they would find her and rape her.

Attackers won't manage to dissuade voters 

Dr. Hamid Reza Moghadamfar, an analyst and political activist, argued in an interview with the Tehran Times that while the harassment of Iranian voters by anti-Iran groups and opposition is deeply sad and concerning, it will ultimately benefit Iran. 

"The events of June 28 sent a clear message to both Iranians and foreign governments," he explained. "Firstly, the opposition's actions, characterized by their savage conduct on Friday, demonstrate their limited capacity. They resort to intimidation tactics to scare voters because they lack any genuine means to attract support or attention."

Moghadamfar further asserted that this harassment will not deter Iranian voters, but rather inspire them to participate and support the Islamic Republic. That's because the opposition's tactics have inadvertently revealed the true nature of the "alternative government" they are advocating for. 

"This also serves as a warning to Western nations," he stated, "that their decades of investment in the opposition have been misguided. They have mistakenly believed that this group could gain legitimacy among Iranians. What legitimate force resorts to harassing people for exercising their right to vote?"

Runoff vote to proceed under tighter security

Alireza Mahmoudi, the director general of consular affairs at Iran's foreign ministry, who oversees elections held abroad, has announced Iran is determined to ensure the safety of Iranian voters in the upcoming second round of the presidential election.

In an interview with the Tehran Times, Mahmoudi said Iranian embassies across Western states are assessing the situation and will be working with local authorities to further ensure security for Iranian citizens particularly in the United Kingdom, where the most incidents of harassment occurred during the first round. 

"Under international law, it is the responsibility of foreign governments to ensure the safety of voters when we hold elections abroad," Mahmoudi stated. He explained that the Foreign Ministry had proactively engaged with ambassadors, sending letters and making calls prior to the first round, urging them to guarantee voter safety. "While we did not experience significant disturbances in most countries, the situation in Britain was more intense," he acknowledged. 

Mahmoudi detailed his meeting with the British ambassador to Iran on Monday, during which he demanded stricter security measures. "Despite the efforts of British police to cordon off attackers, Iranian voters were still subjected to verbal abuse. We need to ensure that Iranian citizens are completely safe and free from any form of harassment when voting," he emphasized. 

Mahmoudi also talked about the fate of individuals arrested by British police on June 28 for disrupting the election. He emphasized the importance of the UK government holding these individuals accountable for their disorderly conduct. "This is not just about the harassment of Iranian citizens," he argued. "When these attackers openly declare their intent to prevent people from voting, they are fundamentally challenging the sovereignty of the British government, which has authorized us to hold elections within its borders."