Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the anti-war organization CODEPINK and vocal supporter of the Cuban regime, is at the center of a journalistic investigation by The Telegraph. The report uncovers her connections with figures linked to Iranian intelligence, highlighting a network that extends Iran's influence through activists who have also advocated for Havana.
The investigation reveals that in September 2014, Benjamin attended a three-day conference in Tehran organized by the New Horizon Organisation. This group was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury in 2019 for acting as a platform for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to recruit and gather intelligence on Western attendees.
During the event, Benjamin was photographed with Nader Talebzadeh and Hamed Ghashghavi, the president and international affairs secretary of New Horizon, respectively. U.S. intelligence identified them in the same year as intermediaries for the Quds Force of the IRGC (IRGC-QF), the unit responsible for overseas operations.
Following the conference, Benjamin allegedly sent Ghashghavi a handwritten note expressing her gratitude and admiration, saying, "You are wiser than your years, and I look forward to seeing where life takes you," as reported by The Telegraph.
An intelligence source quoted in the British newspaper was straightforward in their assessment: "Given that she personally led a delegation to meet then-Foreign Minister Zarif in 2019, it leaves little room to deny a close and favorable relationship with the regime."
In January 2019, Benjamin headed a 28-member CODEPINK delegation to Iran and met with then-Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. During an Iranian regime press conference, she criticized Donald Trump for withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear agreement. Upon returning to the U.S., the organization reported being questioned by the FBI.
When questioned by a journalist in 2024 about her ties with Tehran, Benjamin stated, "We do not believe in supporting governments; we support people."
The situation extends beyond Iran. Benjamin lived in Cuba from 1979 to 1983, and CODEPINK has organized several delegations to the island.
In March 2026, the organization participated in the Convoy Nuestra América, delivering medical supplies to the Cuban Ministry of Health. As a result, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) summoned Benjamin in May 2026 to investigate potential U.S. sanctions violations against Cuba.
The geopolitical backdrop heightens the severity of these revelations. In July 2026, the State Department released the report "Cuba: Capital of 21st Century Communism," which explicitly mentions CODEPINK among organizations influenced by Havana, describing Cuba as a "force multiplier" for China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, with documented cooperation in intelligence, telecommunications, and security.
In early August, Benjamin and other CODEPINK activists staged a protest outside the State Department headquarters in Washington D.C., discarding a copy of the mentioned government report into a trash bin.
The Trump administration has ramped up its warnings in recent months. A national emergency was declared over the Cuban threat in January 2026, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned in August that "all options are on the table" regarding Cuba, including military action. On Saturday, Trump suggested that U.S. warships returning from the Middle East might pause near the island.
Jonathan Hackett, an expert on Iranian covert operations, explained the strategy behind cases like Benjamin's: "An Iranian agent would likely see the chance to exploit Benjamin's existing sympathies for the oppressed and those affected by wars caused by the West. Events like New Horizon were tailor-made for such operations."
Understanding the Implications of Medea Benjamin's Alleged Iranian Ties
What is the significance of Medea Benjamin's attendance at the New Horizon conference?
Medea Benjamin's attendance at the New Horizon conference is significant because the organization was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury for facilitating IRGC's recruitment and intelligence-gathering efforts, raising concerns about her connections with Iranian intelligence networks.
How does CODEPINK's involvement with Cuba relate to the investigation?
CODEPINK's involvement with Cuba, including organizing delegations to the island and participating in humanitarian efforts, is under scrutiny for potential violations of U.S. sanctions, especially as the organization is mentioned in State Department reports as being influenced by Havana.
What actions has the Trump administration taken in response to the Cuban threat?
In response to the Cuban threat, the Trump administration declared a national emergency, with the Defense Secretary indicating that military options are being considered. This highlights the administration's heightened focus on Cuba's geopolitical alliances.