Why is Iran so paranoid about environmentalism?

The power games of radicals for selfish ends are jeopardizing the sincere efforts of the Iran’s environmental community.

Eight Iranian conservationists have been in the Evin Prison since early 2018, being accused of using environmental activism as a cover for a mission to disrupt national security.

A group of Iranian conservationists, working for the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF) and known for their exemplary efforts in preserving the endangered Asiatic (Iranian) cheetahs, were arrested in early 2018 under espionage charges. The country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims that the PWHF members have collected sensitive environmental information for the intelligence agencies of “hostile nations” and were monitoring Iran’s ballistic missile program using camera traps.

Out of the nine detained conservationist, Kavous Seyed Emami suspiciously died in an alleged suicide two weeks after his arrest. The rest have been in “temporary detention” ever since and will face serious penalties, if convicted, for “acts against national security”.

Kavous Seyed-Emami, one of the arrested PHWF members, died under an alleged suicide in the Evin Prison in February 2018.

Their trial is occurring behind closed doors with an indictment that is claimed to be “a matter of national security”, too sensitive to be disclosed publicly. Though the absurd espionage scenarios promoted by the IRGC-directed media reveal that part of their accusations could be related to the PWHF’s large international network of collaborators, including Panthera — a charitable organization devoted to preserving big cats. This internationally reputable organization has been founded by Thomas Kaplan, a New York City based-billionaire with interests in both the environment and politics, one with the power to unite and the other existing to divide.

Kaplan’s support of endangered big cats around the world is probably unrelated to his anti-Iran advocacy activities, outspoken criticism of Iran’s leadership and its nuclear program, and ties to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. But a paranoid system in fight with the world’s powers is incapable of appreciating the love of its political enemy for its charming cheetahs.

I had a mystifying work experience in Iran. As an ex-pat environmental expert, I returned home at the invitation of President Rouhani’s government for a high level post in the…