Iran Intelligence Ministry Warns of Escalating Hybrid Warfare by Adversaries

TEHRAN, May 27 (AP) — Iran's Intelligence Ministry has issued a stark warning that foreign adversaries are intensifying a campaign of hybrid warfare against the nation, shifting tactics from direct military aggression to economic pressure, cyberattacks, terrorism, and psychological operations.

The ministry stated Wednesday that enemies, having failed to achieve their professed objectives through conventional military means, are now seeking to compensate by escalating a hidden intelligence-security war. The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions and serves as a public alert to Iranian institutions and citizens regarding the evolving nature of external threats.

"The enemy, unable to achieve its goals through military aggression, has resorted to a multifaceted strategy aimed at destabilizing the country from within," the ministry said in a statement released late Tuesday. The warning highlighted specific vectors of attack, including attempts to disrupt economic stability, infiltrate digital infrastructure, and incite internal unrest through psychological manipulation.

The ministry did not specify which nations or groups constitute the "enemies" referenced in the warning, nor did it provide details on specific incidents that prompted the alert. However, the language used suggests a broadening of the conflict beyond traditional battlefield engagements into the realms of information and economic warfare.

Cybersecurity experts have noted a rise in sophisticated digital intrusions targeting Iranian government and energy sectors over the past year. While the ministry did not link the warning to any specific recent cyber incident, the timing coincides with increased global scrutiny of Iran's nuclear program and ongoing diplomatic friction.

The statement also referenced the use of terrorism as a tool in this new phase of conflict, implying that external actors may be attempting to exploit internal vulnerabilities to create security breaches. Psychological warfare was cited as another key component, with the ministry cautioning against foreign narratives designed to erode public confidence and social cohesion.

Iranian officials have previously warned of external interference in domestic affairs, but this marks one of the most explicit acknowledgments of a coordinated, multi-domain threat strategy. The ministry urged all government agencies and private sector entities to remain vigilant and strengthen their defensive measures against these non-traditional threats.

The warning raises questions about the immediate scope of the alleged hybrid campaign and whether specific incidents have already occurred that remain unacknowledged publicly. It also leaves open the question of how Iran intends to respond to these challenges without escalating tensions further in an already volatile region.

As the situation develops, observers are watching for further details on the nature of the threats and any retaliatory measures Iran might consider. The ministry's statement underscores the growing complexity of modern statecraft, where the lines between war and peace, and between military and non-military conflict, continue to blur.