Nariman Gharib

U.K.-based Iranian opposition activist and independent cyber espionage investigator focused on uncovering digital espionage activities and promoting digital security.

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My Blog

Personal thoughts and technical writings on cyber security, digital rights, and Iranian politics.

Iranian Threat Actors

A comprehensive list of Iranian cyber threat actors compiled from various online sources.

Media Mentions

AP Exclusive: Iran hackers hunt nuclear workers, US targets

As U.S. President Donald Trump re-imposed harsh economic sanctions on Iran, hackers scrambled to break into emails of U.S. officials. Another sign of how deeply cyber espionage is embedded into US-Iranian relations.

AP News December 13, 2018

Video Shows Ukrainian Plane Being Hit Over Iran

New video evidence appears to show an Iranian missile hitting a Ukrainian jetliner, shedding light on the tragic incident that led to the loss of 176 lives.

New York Times January 9, 2020

Iranian Jetliner Explosion Video

This video taken by Nariman Gharib captures the Ukrainian jetliner moments after an explosion, adding visual evidence to discussions of the incident.

AP News January 10, 2020

Iran Launched an App That Claimed to Diagnose Coronavirus. Instead, It Collected Location Data on Millions of People.

Under the guise of diagnosing COVID-19, Iran launched an app that collected location data from millions of citizens, raising serious privacy concerns.

Vice March 14, 2020

Microsoft and Amazon Enable Censorship Circumvention Tools in Iran. Why Doesn’t Google?

In the context of increased censorship, Microsoft and Amazon enable tools to bypass government filtering, while Google remains silent.

Vice January 15, 2018

Iran Denies Censoring the Secure Messaging App ‘Telegram’

The popular messaging app Telegram faced disruptions in Iran, sparking concerns about censorship motives. Telegram reported limitations on Iranian traffic, but the government denied it was for political reasons.

Vice June 30, 2015

Iran’s ‘Smart’ Instagram Censorship Isn’t That Smart

Despite advanced attempts at censorship, Iran's efforts to block specific Instagram content still face challenges. This highlights the ongoing battle for control of online spaces.

Vice May 7, 2015

Iran Is Trying to Block Tor

In March 2015, Iran began blocking Tor, a key tool for circumventing censorship, raising concerns about online freedom and privacy.

Vice March 5, 2015

Encrypted Messaging App Telegram Claims Iran Wanted It to Spy on Users

Telegram's creators allege Iran tried to force them into surveillance cooperation. The app faced temporary blocking due to its refusal to spy on users for the Iranian government.

Vice October 21, 2015

Cyber operations linked to Israel-Hamas fighting gain momentum

Amid escalating cyber attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, experts predict intensifying digital warfare as more groups get involved.

CyberScoop October 24, 2023

Iran Cracks Down on Internet Access After President's Fatal Crash

Following the death of President Raisi, internet restrictions have been heightened, raising concerns about leadership and civil unrest.

Iran International May 27, 2024

Iranian Cyber Group Targets US Swing States

An Iranian cyber group linked to the IRGC has been actively attempting to influence the upcoming US presidential election by targeting hotly-contested swing states.

Iran International November 2, 2024

Leaked Document Reveals Iran’s Multiple Telecom Deals With China

Documents leaked by Nariman Gharib reveal hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of telecom contracts between Iran and China, including infrastructure for 4G/5G networks and satellite projects.

Iran International October 25, 2023

Exclusive: Iran’s Censoring Tech Firm To Be Removed From EU Sanctions

The European Union is set to remove ArvanCloud from its list of human rights sanctions, following lobbying efforts and the termination of contracts with the Iranian government.

Iran International March 26, 2024

Internet Access Difficulties in Iran After Increased Network Disruptions

Reports indicate increased network disruptions and difficulties in accessing the internet in Iran following the helicopter crash of President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iran International (Farsi) May 26, 2024

Details on the Helicopter President Raisi Was Flying

Images show that President Raisi was onboard a Bell 212 helicopter, which was purchased by Iran during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah from Italy.

Iran International (Farsi) May 20, 2024

German Think Tank Lobbying for ArvanCloud Sanctions Relief

A German think tank is lobbying for the removal of human rights sanctions on ArvanCloud by the EU, highlighting the company’s significance in Iran’s economy.

Iran International (Farsi) March 30, 2024

New Image of Armita Geravand After Fainting in Tehran Metro

An image shared by Nariman Gharib shows emergency workers treating Armita Geravand after fainting in the Tehran Metro following an altercation.

Iran International (Farsi) October 9, 2023

Iran Khodro CEO Warns of Potential Failure to Deliver 200,000 Cars

Ali Mardani Azimi, CEO of Iran Khodro, warned about possible failure to deliver 200,000 cars to customers due to currency shortages and production line stops. Nariman Gharib shared two leaked letters highlighting these concerns.

Iran International (Farsi) May 29, 2023

Final Report: Ukrainian Plane Downed Due to Air Defense Operator Error

The Civil Aviation Organization of Iran released its final report stating that the Ukrainian airliner was mistakenly targeted by an air defense operator, causing two missiles to be fired at it.

Iran International (Farsi) March 17, 2021

Leaked Confidential Documents of Multi-Million Dollar Chinese Contracts

Confidential documents leaked by Nariman Gharib reveal information on several current projects of Iran's Ministry of Communications, including contracts worth hundreds of millions with Chinese contractors.

Iran International (Farsi) May 18, 2023