Strategy to encourage defections from the Government of Iran

(a) In general Not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and Director of National Intelligence, shall develop and submit to Congress a strategy aimed at encouraging and facilitating defections by Iranian officials and members of security forces who seek to support democratic change in Iran. (b) Elements The strategy required under subsection (a) shall include— (1) identification of mechanisms to securely communicate with potential defectors, including secure digital channels utilizing encryption technologies and private intermediaries; (2) measures providing assurances of safety and security to defectors and their families; (3) establishment of a dedicated interagency working group tasked with managing defections, ensuring defector safety, verifying information provided by defectors, and mitigating potential intelligence risks; (4) incentives for defectors who can significantly contribute to democratic change or who provide actionable intelligence about regime operations, including potential financial assistance, employment support, and housing assistance in coordination with relevant domestic agencies; (5) measures for publicizing successful defections, when appropriate and consistent with security protocols, to encourage additional defections within the regime; and (6) coordination with international partners to share best practices, jointly facilitate defections, and ensure defectors receive international protection, as needed. (c) Form The strategy required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex if necessary. (d) Implementation plan Not later than 60 days after the submission of the strategy, the interagency working group shall submit to Congress a detailed implementation plan for the strategy.