Iran, Pakistan and Morocco are among countries spying on opposition activists living in Germany and seeking to insert agents in state institutions, the domestic intelligence agency (BfV) reported in Berlin on Tuesday.
"Countries in North Africa and the Middle East have employed human sources in German authorities to secure information," the BfV's annual report stated.
These countries are also seeking to influence German politics, media and administrative bodies using "clandestine methods," with the aim of pursuing regional conflicts in Germany, the report said.
Foreign communities and opposition activists are being spied on or discredited as extremists, and individuals are being threatened physically, it said.
On presenting the report, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said German sovereignty was being undermined through these attacks.
The report points to groups opposed to the leadership in Tehran. "For those in power in Iran, these groups are seen as a threat to the continuation of their rule, which is why they violently suppress domestic protest and persecute these groups and individuals abroad," the report said.
Following on from conflict in 2025, Iranian intelligence services have spied on Jewish organizations and their supporters in Germany and Europe, the report says.
"Anti-Semitism is a key pillar of this," BfV head Sinan Selen said.
The BfV report said that the Pakistani authorities were attempting to promote a positive view of the country with Afghans and Pakistanis living abroad by supporting demonstrations and propaganda events.
It said Morocco was watching opposition activists and critics of the monarchy and state apparatus.
