24 DAILY NEWS – As unrest grips Iran, an examination reveals various CIA-backed non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that contribute to the turmoil.
One prominent group is the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI), often referred to simply as HRA. HRA and its media arm, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), have provided critical information for numerous Western media outlets, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and NPR. Their claims, particularly concerning casualty figures, have sparked significant attention. In a recent editorial, journalist Owen Jones labeled HRAI a “respected” entity, suggesting its reported death tolls may be “significant underestimates.” However, key reports omit the fact that HRAI is largely funded by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) via the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
“Independent” NGOs with CIA Ties
Founded in 2006, HRAI operates from Fairfax,



