Iran wary of US push in Venezuela | IRGC cyber leak & child marriage probe | Eye for Iran | EP 79

Iran wary of US push in Venezuela | IRGC cyber leak & child marriage probe | Eye for Iran | EP 79

Author: Iran International English November 28, 2025 Duration: 50:13
The United States has launched one of its most visible military deployments in years off the coast of Venezuela — a major operation aimed at narco-terror networks and the Maduro government. Retired four-star General Joseph Votel joins Eye for Iran to explain how decisions like this are made, what Washington’s posture actually signals, and why moves in the Caribbean inevitably carry an indirect message for countries like Iran, even if they aren’t the main focus.

Next, we examine an Iran International investigation revealing new details about “Department 40,” an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence and cyber unit known as Charming Kitten. Cybersecurity expert Amin Sabeti explains how leaked files show the unit tracking dissidents, diplomats, journalists, think tank experts -- and even hacking institutions in countries friendly to Tehran.

Finally, we look at a separate investigation by an Iranian reformist newspaper uncovering that a licensed matchmaking platform in Iran is allowing parents to register children as young as 13 for marriage. Child rights advocate Nazanin Afshin-Jam explains why this platform will likely increase the number of child marriages in Iran especially with the fraught economic conditions.

A look at US policy, Iran’s external activities, and the human rights issues unfolding inside the country — all in one episode.

You can watch Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

Contents of this video:

00:00:00 US sends 12,000 troops near Venezuela – cold open and episode intro
00:02:47 Venezuela, Iran and US planning – first question to Gen. Votel
00:05:15 How Washington makes military decisions on Venezuela
00:07:05 Indirect impact on Iran and messaging to Tehran
00:09:24 Covert options and information warfare against Maduro
00:13:46 Deterrence, 12,000 troops and message to other adversaries
00:17:05 Votel’s time as CENTCOM commander and Iran’s influence in the region
00:21:05 How to confront and engage Iran going forward
00:24:15 Can the US sustain major deployments in the Caribbean and Middle East?
00:26:37 Leak exposes IRGC Department 40 cyber unit
00:30:36 Why Iran’s hackers target even friendly states
00:35:50 How deep the hacks go and how to protect yourself
00:39:04 Investigation: matchmaking platform and child marriage
00:43:22 Nazanin’s past campaign saving a child bride from execution
00:47:43 What the world can do to pressure Tehran on child marriage
00:49:28 Outro – how to follow Eye for Iran

#iran #venezuela #usa #trump #hacker #hack #children #centcom #narconews #podcast #shorts #youtube

Each week, Negar Mojtahedi brings a necessary depth to the complex and rapidly evolving situation in Iran, moving past the simplified news cycles. This Eye For Iran podcast from Iran International English provides a crucial space for context, built on high-impact investigations and conversations that clarify the forces shaping the country and its global relations. You'll hear from experts and voices with firsthand insight, dissecting political shifts, social movements, and economic realities with a nuanced perspective. The analysis aims to connect dots for a clearer picture of what's happening behind the headlines, focusing on the stories with lasting significance. Tuning in means engaging with a detailed, thoughtful examination of developments both within Iran and in its interactions with the wider world. It’s for anyone seeking a more substantive understanding than daily reports can offer, delivered through compelling interviews and thorough reporting that respects the complexity of the subject. This weekly dialogue becomes an essential resource for piecing together the larger narrative.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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