Watan-Statements made by a former Iranian official have sparked major controversy in political and media circles in Tehran, after he spoke of what he described as a “deep Western infiltration” within Iran’s sensitive state institutions—allegedly orchestrated by French journalist Catherine Shakdam, who had earlier claimed she worked for Israel inside Iran.
In remarks aired on Iran’s state-owned “Shabakeh Khabar” (News Network), Mostafa Kavakebian, Secretary General of the Mardom Salari Party (People’s Democracy) and a former Iranian MP, said:“Infiltration means someone like Catherine Shakdam, who had sexual relations with 120 very important figures in the country.”
He went on to criticize those downplaying the seriousness of espionage, accusing them of distracting the public by focusing instead on Afghan migrant issues:“Reducing the infiltration issue to mere talk of Afghan migrants is just a distraction from the core of the real breaches.”
These remarks are considered among the most explosive public claims in recent years concerning espionage and internal infiltration in Iran—especially coming from a figure who held parliamentary office.
According to Arab and Iranian media reports, Catherine Shakdam, a Jewish French political analyst and writer, previously wrote for hardline Iranian outlets such as Kayhan, Tasnim, and Mehr. During that time, she posed as a journalist sympathetic to the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” held advisory positions in some official institutions, and even participated in religious and security-themed events inside Iran.
In 2021, Shakdam published a bombshell article in The Times of Israel, revealing that she is Jewish and had entered Iran under the guise of a “special media mission.”
These shocking allegations come at a sensitive time, as Iran continues to reel from Israeli attacks that targeted senior military officials on June 13, fueling persistent questions about security breaches and espionage networks operating inside the country.
As of now, no official response has been issued by Iranian authorities regarding Kavakebian’s statements.
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