BBC staff in London have reported that their families in Iran are being increasingly targeted and punished by the Iranian regime, reflecting a troubling escalation in state-led intimidation tactics against journalists and media organizations.

The Metropolitan Police has recorded more than 20 incidents classified as "threat-to-life" against individuals in the UK linked to Iran within recent years.

Notably, in March 2022, an Iranian journalist was stabbed outside his London home, prompting him to flee abroad due to safety concerns.

The BBC has characterized the current situation as a "sharp and deeply troubling escalation" of threats against its journalists’ families, specifically indicating that BBC Persian staff are particularly affected.

These employees report feeling anxious and distressed about the fate of their relatives in Iran, who have allegedly been subjected to lengthy interrogations by officials, coercion regarding employment, and threats of imprisonment or asset seizure.

Behrang Tajdin, a journalist with BBC Persian, described the tactics as a form of psychological warfare intended to make family members' lives miserable merely because of their association with BBC journalists.

He noted that the Iranian government’s intensified efforts appear to stem from a belief that previous tactics have failed to dissuade these journalists from their work.

Tajdin said that many of his colleagues struggle to keep thoughts of their families from interfering with their professional duties, as the stakes for their loved ones are markedly high.

The BBC Persian service has a significant reach, attracting an audience of nearly 22 million listeners each week, which may contribute to the increased targeting of its staff and their families by the Iranian authorities.

Tim Davie, the BBC's Director General, stated that this campaign against family members is designed to exploit familial bonds as a means of coercion, pressuring journalists to abandon their work or return to Iran under false pretenses.

In response to these developments, the BBC is preparing to file a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Council, highlighting the severity of these threats.

At the same time, in Germany, significant political and social tensions have emerged surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Incidents at the German parliament this week involved the eviction of a woman and a member of parliament who expressed support for Palestine.

The woman was removed from a visitor's gallery for chanting, while a Left Party member was expelled for wearing a shirt that displayed support for Palestine.

Parliament President Julia Klöckner reacted by emphasizing the prohibition of political expressions in the legislative space, stating that such expressions are not permissible inside the chamber.

Public sentiment in Germany has shifted notably in recent weeks regarding the Israeli government's actions in Gaza.

A recent poll indicated that approximately 73% of Germans support tightening export controls on arms to Israel, and 30% favor an outright ban on such exports.

Following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, Germany, despite its traditionally strong support for Israel, has faced growing public unease around its military supply to the state, as evidenced by arms exports totaling €485 million from the Hamas assault to mid-May of the current year.

A significant portion of the populace now questions Germany's special responsibility to protect Israel, with 63% believing that Israel's military response to Gaza has exceeded acceptable limits.

These events indicate a continuing intersection of international relations, human rights concerns, and domestic public opinion in Germany and beyond.