{"id":1285,"date":"2026-06-10T19:04:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T19:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asianewscast.com\/2026\/06\/10\/irans-proxies-moving-towards-violent-gig-economy-but-no-imminent-threat-to-southeast-asia-expert\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T19:04:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T19:04:12","slug":"irans-proxies-moving-towards-violent-gig-economy-but-no-imminent-threat-to-southeast-asia-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1285","title":{"rendered":"Iran\u2019s proxies moving towards \u2018violent gig economy\u2019, but no imminent threat to Southeast Asia: Expert"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"layout layout--onecol\">\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--content\">\n<section data-title=\"Leaderboard  01 Article\" class=\"block block-ad-entity block-ad-displayleaderboard-01-article clearfix\">\n<div class=\"block-title\">Advertisement<\/div>\n<div id=\"ad-entity-bHcvnfIvcyE\" 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class=\"content-detail__category\">\n<a class=\"link\" href=\"\/asia\"><br \/>\n      Asia<br \/>\n  <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n<h1 class=\"h1 h1--page-title\">\n      Iran\u2019s proxies moving towards \u2018violent gig economy\u2019, but no imminent threat to Southeast Asia: Expert<br \/>\n  <\/h1>\n<div class=\"content-detail__description\">\n<p>While there are no reports of Iran-linked \u201cviolent gig economy\u201d activities in Southeast Asia, \u201cwell-to-do\u201d societies may be more vulnerable to threats, says a counterterrorism expert at a dialogue in Singapore.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"layout layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--75-25\">\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--first\">\n<section data-title=\"Hero Emphasis\" class=\"block detail-hero-media block-mc-hero-emphasis block-hero-emphasis clearfix\">\n<figure data-title=\"Hero Emphasis\" class=\"figure block detail-hero-media block-mc-hero-emphasis block-hero-emphasis clearfix\" data-img-id=\"\">\n<p>      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--j-aX7xDG--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_468,w_830\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2026\/06\/09\/img_8940.jpg?itok=q55EL7uV\" alt=\"Iran\u2019s proxies moving towards \u2018violent gig economy\u2019, but no imminent threat to Southeast Asia: Expert\" title=\"Iran\u2019s proxies moving towards \u2018violent gig economy\u2019, but no imminent threat to Southeast Asia: Expert\"><figcaption class=\"figure__caption\">\n<p>Matthew Levitt, Fromer-Wexler Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute, speaks at a dialogue session on \u201cIran and its Proxies\u2019 External Operations Globally: Implications for Southeast Asia\u201d in Singapore on Jun 9, 2026. (Photo: RSIS)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<section data-title=\"Text to speech\" class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodearticlefield-text-to-speech clearfix\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"mc-text-to-speech-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"new-feature-wizard\">\n    <span class=\"new-feature-wizard__text\"><br \/>\n        New: You can now listen to articles.<br \/>\n        <span class=\"new-feature-wizard__close\"><\/p>\n<p>      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/profiles\/custom\/mediacorp\/themes\/mc_core_theme\/images\/close.svg\"><\/p>\n<p>        <\/span><br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-to-speech-caption\">\n       This audio is generated by an AI tool.\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--second\">\n<section data-title=\"Byline\" class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodearticlefield-author clearfix\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"author-card author-card--author-info-block\">\n<div class=\"author-card__figure\">\n            <a href=\"\/author\/savanna-tai\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--9cXFKSVW--\/c_fill,g_faces:auto,h_140,w_140\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2026\/03\/19\/savanna_tai.jpg?itok=r3NycafT\" alt=\"\"><br \/>\n<\/a>\n                  <\/div>\n<div class=\"author-card__content\">\n<div class=\"author-card__body\">\n<div class=\"author-card__author-name\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 h6--author-name\">\n<a class=\"h6__link\" href=\"\/author\/savanna-tai\"><br \/>\n      Savanna Tai<br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-title=\"Content share and bookmark\" class=\"block block-mc-content-share-bookmark block-content-share-bookmark clearfix\">\n<div data-title=\"Content share and bookmark\" class=\"mobile_author_card block block-mc-content-share-bookmark block-content-share-bookmark clearfix\">\n<div class=\"mobile_author_card__image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"mobile_author_card__image mobile_author_card__image--\">\n<a class=\"link\" href=\"\/author\/savanna-tai\"><\/p>\n<p>      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--oWm-HdeH--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2026\/03\/19\/savanna_tai.jpg?itok=g00DbdJ1\" alt=\"Savanna Tai\" title=\"Savanna Tai\"><\/p>\n<p>                <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mobile_author_card__name\">\n<a class=\"link link--author-profile\" href=\"\/author\/savanna-tai\"><br \/>\n      Savanna Tai<br \/>\n  <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-publish article-publish--\">\n        09 Jun 2026 08:16PM<br \/>\n                        <span>(Updated: 10 Jun 2026 09:07AM)<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n<div class=\"js-popup-content with-authors\">\n<div 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Give it a try.<br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__close-button\" role=\"button\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"fast-button__tooltip-fast-back-button\">\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip hidden\">\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__body\">\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__label\">\n              <span class=\"fast-tooltip__non-touch\"> Click here to return to FAST <\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"fast-tooltip__touch\"> Tap here to return to FAST <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"fast-tooltip__close-button\" role=\"button\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <a title=\"FAST\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/fast\/6168846\" class=\"fast-button\"><br \/>\n               FAST <\/p>\n<p>    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section data-title=\"Content\" class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodearticlefield-content clearfix\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>SINGAPORE: Iran\u2019s proxy groups may be moving towards what can be described as a \u201cviolent gig economy\u201d, with a shift from traditional militant cells to global external operations that are more flexible and deniable, according to an\u00a0ex-counterterrorism analyst with the United States\u2019 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>While there is no imminent threat to Southeast Asia, Singapore\u2019s developed economic system may make it vulnerable to Iranian-linked \u201cshadow banking\u201d activities that fund its proxy groups, said\u00a0Matthew Levitt,\u00a0now a senior research fellow at The Washington Institute, a US think tank.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>He added the rise of encrypted online channels used to recruit individuals to carry out surveillance and attacks could raise concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>In recent years, these trends have been salient in Europe, where Lebanon-based Hezbollah, Palestinian group Hamas and most recently\u00a0Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) &#8211; a group that emerged in March 2026 operating on behalf of Iran\u2019s\u00a0Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps &#8211; have tapped global intermediaries such as front companies and criminal networks to fund their operations, said Levitt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>According to its website, The Washington Institute seeks to advance a &#8220;balanced and realistic understanding&#8221; of American interests in the Middle East and to promote the policies that secure them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Levitt was speaking at a dialogue titled \u201cIran and its proxies: Implications for Southeast Asia\u201d, organised by the Centre of Excellence For National Security at Singapore\u2019s S Rajaratnam Institute for International Studies (RSIS) on Tuesday (Jun 9).<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Activities<\/span> undertaken in the \u201cviolent gig economy\u201d<span> include shadow banking through financial intermediaries<\/span> issuing loans<span> without regulation, trade-based money laundering, online recruitment campaigns targeting individuals with no affiliation to Iran and untraceable cryptocurrency deals, he added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>\u201cIncreasingly, we are seeing Iranians, either through cut-outs &#8211; an intermediary that isolates two parties &#8211;\u00a0like organised criminal groups in Europe that use Russian-affiliated mobs to then either carry out attacks themselves or, in several cases in Europe, hire other people to carry out attacks,\u201d Levitt said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"in-article-games trimmed-content\">\n<div class=\"game-list-header\">CNA Games<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-list\">\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/guess-word\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Guess Word\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--9rksCQgs--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_wordrow_-_light_mode.png?itok=y_y6Lkrj\" alt=\"Guess Word\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Guess Word<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Crack the word, one row at a time<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a><br \/>\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/buzzword\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Buzzword\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--rNELTwDG--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_buzzword_-_light_mode.png?itok=gjNCaVEc\" alt=\"Buzzword\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Buzzword<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Create words using the given letters<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a><br \/>\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/mini-sudoku\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Mini Sudoku\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--cDNZgbXf--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_mini_sudoku_-_light_mode.png?itok=XJMtZA-S\" alt=\"Mini Sudoku\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Mini Sudoku<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a><br \/>\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/mini-crossword\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Mini Crossword\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--vQydxQJa--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_mini_crossword_-_light_mode.png?itok=xnGbWUBS\" alt=\"Mini Crossword\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Mini Crossword<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Small grid, big challenge<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a><br \/>\n              <a class=\"game-tile\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/games\/word-search\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"game-img\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Word Search\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--lVhq9IJO--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_100,w_100\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2025\/12\/03\/game_icon_-_word_search_-_light_mode.png?itok=J7DBf8e2\" alt=\"Word Search\">\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"game-desc\">\n<div class=\"game-title\">Word Search<\/div>\n<div class=\"game-abt\">Spot as many words as you can<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"in-article-games__full-story-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"in-article-games__full-story-button-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"in-article-games__full-story-button\" href=\";\"><br \/>\n      Show More<br \/>\n  <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"in-article-games__full-story-button-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"in-article-games__full-story-less-button\" href=\";\"><br \/>\n      Show Less<br \/>\n  <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<section class=\"block block- block--view-mode-default clearfix\">\n<figure class=\"figure block block- block--view-mode-default clearfix\" data-img-id=\"\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--0EO54q8i--\/c_crop,h_561,w_999,x_1,y_52\/c_fill,g_auto,h_468,w_830\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_one-cms:core:watermark:ap_data-1,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/one-cms\/core\/mideast-tensions-iran_proxies_64099.jpg?itok=n3JvjT_P\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"figure__caption\">\n      Houthi rebel fighters march during a rally of support for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and against the US strikes on Yemen outside Sanaa on Jan 22, 2024. (Photo: AP)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>In &#8220;at least two dozen cases, they&#8217;re recruiting 14 year-olds, 13 year-olds, 18 year-olds \u2026 who don&#8217;t know that they&#8217;re (the recruiters)\u00a0working\u00a0<\/span>from Iran<span>, don&#8217;t know what exactly they&#8217;re going to do until the last minute,\u201d he said,\u00a0citing the \u201cFoxtrot\u201d network &#8211; a Swedish organised group whose leader has ties to the Iranian government.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>On Mar 19, a Norwegian teen was arrested with two guns and 12 rounds of ammunition after travelling to the United Kingdom on an emergency passport. He was allegedly recruited by the Foxtrot network under a deal that he would be paid to \u201ctravel here and undertake a hit\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>In September 2025, five Swedish teens, recruited through encrypted messaging apps such as Telegram and Snapchat, had allegedly attempted to murder a dissident Iranian researcher in the country for money. The Iranian researcher later told local media that he believed the attack was ordered by Iranian authorities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Levitt noted that Hamas, which historically focused on Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, has turned to external plotting in Europe &#8211; something that the group considered before but never carried out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Amid decimated capabilities in Gaza following Israel\u2019s retaliation for Hamas\u2019 Oct 7, 2023 attacks and growing popular support for Palestinian cause, Hamas has to find other ways to carry out its attacks and protect against attacks outside of the Middle East, according to Levitt\u2019s research.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<section class=\"block block- block--view-mode-default clearfix\">\n<figure class=\"figure block block- block--view-mode-default clearfix\" data-img-id=\"\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--jJyAGZwm--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_468,w_830\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_mediacorp:cna:watermark:2024-04:reuters_1,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/one-cms\/core\/2026-05-27T204428Z_1_LYNXMPEM4Q23A_RTROPTP_3_ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA-HAMAS.JPG?itok=1H4rBJQO\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"figure__caption\">\n      People carry bodies identified by mourners as Hamas&#8217; military wing commander Mohammad Odeh, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Tuesday, and his wife and children, during a funeral, in Gaza City, May 27, 2026. (Photo: Reuters\/Mahmoud Issa)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Iran\u2019s proxy groups also include the Houthis in Yemen and other Iraqi groups including Iran-aligned Shia militias, all of which are listed as terrorist organisations by the US.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>He pointed to Hamas weapon caches in Bulgaria and Denmark that were reportedly found in early 2024 and 2019 respectively, years before the group\u2019s attacks on Israel on Oct 7, 2023 that led to the Israel-Hamas war.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>\u201cThe biggest thing to me is not a series of (terrorism) plots that have been exposed, but it&#8217;s that years earlier, someone in Hamas decided to pre-position small caches of weapons, handguns \u2026<\/span><span>well-maintained in three different places in Europe years before,\u201d Levitt said. This helps Hamas build up military capacity in Europe to carry out attacks there if directed, he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Proxy groups have also relied on networks of companies\u00a0<\/span>serving as a front\u00a0<span>to facilitate the sale of illicit oil, including through Iraq, with much of the trade routed to Asian markets, particularly China, Levitt added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>He explained that proceeds are laundered through trade-based schemes, such as purchasing and reselling electronics in Asia, while increasingly using hard-to-trace payment channels including cryptocurrencies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Meanwhile, recruitment campaigns by groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah targeting locals have been increasingly hard to crack down on, Levitt said. He cited a spike in cases in Brazil where local criminals\u00a0&#8211; such as those selling illegal vapes &#8211; were recruited by Hezbollah and Iranians to attack Jews\u00a0in Brazil, with intel provided to Brazilian authorities by the US.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>\u201cThey\u2019re just finding people who are comfortable engaging in violence and saying to them, \u2018How would you like a trip to Lebanon?\u2019\u201d Levitt added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>\u201cIt\u2019s financial, it&#8217;s not ideological \u2026 The only reason the Brazilians were able to get on top of this is because the United States has a very robust international intelligence collection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Levitt, who is director of The Washington Institute\u2019s Jeanette and Eli Reinhard programme on counterterrorism and intelligence, also raised concerns on youth radicalisation, citing a commentary\u00a0by RSIS on the enduring impact of self-radicalisation in Singapore amid the Israel-Hamas war.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThis is not an issue of religion \u2026 Hamas\u2026 has been trying to be very, very careful not to be seen as an international terrorist group \u2026 at least maybe only to the people it was trying to recruit to engage in international crime,\u201d Levitt said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"referenced-card\">\n<h4 class=\"h4 h4--related-block\">\n<div>Related:<\/div>\n<\/h4>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"media-object\">\n<div class=\"media-object__figure\">\n  <a class=\"link\" href=\"\/world\/israel-attacks-iran-military-nuclear-crisis-5180021\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--_XYzX6mm--\/c_crop,h_450,w_800,x_0,y_115\/c_fill,g_auto,h_98,w_175\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_mediacorp:cna:watermark:2024-04:reuters_1,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/one-cms\/core\/2025-06-13t082059z_1_lynxmpel5c0d6_rtroptp_3_iran-nuclear.jpg?itok=bO_YHX3m\"><br \/>\n                <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"media-object__content\">\n<div class=\"media-object__body\">\n<div class=\"list-object\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 list-object__heading\">\n<a class=\"h6__link list-object__heading-link\" href=\"\/world\/israel-attacks-iran-military-nuclear-crisis-5180021\"><br \/>\n      <span>Israel-Iran tensions escalate: How proxies, nuclear ambitions are fuelling crisis<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"media-object\">\n<div class=\"media-object__figure\">\n  <a class=\"link\" href=\"\/commentary\/iran-us-deal-leverage-hormuz-agreement-6142061\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s---6Y9KUPy--\/c_crop,h_449,w_799,x_1,y_16\/c_fill,g_auto,h_98,w_175\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_mediacorp:cna:watermark:2024-04:reuters_1,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/one-cms\/core\/2026-05-18T183620Z_3_LYNXMPEM4H0UO_RTROPTP_3_IRAN-CRISIS.JPG?itok=wtSVlmmW\"><br \/>\n                <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"media-object__content\">\n<div class=\"media-object__body\">\n<div class=\"list-object\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 list-object__heading\">\n<a class=\"h6__link list-object__heading-link\" href=\"\/commentary\/iran-us-deal-leverage-hormuz-agreement-6142061\"><br \/>\n      <span>Commentary: Iran is beating Trump at the art of the deal<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>\u201cThe bottom line is that Iran and its proxies now are the way we have to look at the threat of violent attacks from this milieu, more broadly as an entity,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>While there is no reported evidence of Iran-linked \u201cviolent gig economy\u201d activities in Southeast Asia, Levitt stressed that \u201cwell-to-do\u201d societies may be more vulnerable to threats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Singapore\u2019s strength as a global commercial node and major trade, finance and transshipment hub may raise exposure to such \u201cviolent gig economy\u201d activities, he added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>\u201cThere is a huge role for Singapore to play to make it more difficult for Iran to be able to finance its (activities),\u201d said Levitt, who <\/span>focused on fundraising and logistical support networks for Middle Eastern terrorist groups as an FBI counterterrorism intelligence analyst.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Levitt added that Singapore\u2019s Financial Intelligence Unit, under the Suspicious Transaction Reporting Office, has been actively looking into \u201csuspicious activity report data\u201d.\u00a0<\/span>He noted<span> that the unit has published alerts on the use of front companies, financial facilitators and crypto infrastructure to evade sanctions for oil sales.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>The growing \u201cviolent gig economy\u201d also spells concerns for Southeast Asian countries that have previously felt the presence of Iranian proxy groups,<\/span> Levitt said.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Levitt referred to past Hezbollah-linked activity in Singapore and Thailand, including alleged surveillance of US and Israeli diplomatic targets in Singapore in the early 1990s, and a failed 1994 bombing attempt against the Israeli embassy in Bangkok.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>In September 2013, a Thai court sentenced a Swedish man of Lebanese origin for possessing ammonium nitrate, a compound that could be used to make explosives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Thai authorities had accused him of links to Hezbollah, but the man denied this throughout his trial, claiming he was a businessman involved in Thai exports to other countries, including Lebanon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>In Malaysia, Hamas had reportedly maintained fundraising, recruitment and support and alleged training networks for years since the early 2000s, although Malaysian authorities had denied that the country hosts Hamas operational or training bases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cEach place is going to be different. Singapore, by virtue of being so small, being so open, there are some unique threats \u2026 some unique vulnerabilities. (Singapore has) excellent partnerships with the United States and with others,\u201d Levitt said at the sidelines of the dialogue.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span>Singapore and the US have longstanding economic, defence and security partnerships, which have expanded to cybersecurity and emerging technologies in recent years, according to Singapore&#8217;s foreign ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI know of no pending threats \u2026 I&#8217;m just worried. I see these things happening. I see them happening in places,&#8221; Levitt said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<section class=\"block block- block--view-mode-default clearfix\">\n<figure class=\"figure block block- block--view-mode-default clearfix\" data-img-id=\"\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--wTfdz5Qu--\/c_fill,g_auto,h_468,w_830\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_mediacorp:cna:watermark:2024-04:reuters_1,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/one-cms\/core\/2026-06-09T114214Z_1_LYNXMPEM580RZ_RTROPTP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-LEBANON-ISRAEL.JPG?itok=39RqO9OA\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"figure__caption\">\n      Smoke billows following an Israeli strike in Tyre, Lebanon, Jun 9, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. (Photo: Reuters\/Stringer)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"text-long\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In recent years, local\u00a0counterterrorism operations\u00a0in Singapore\u00a0have primarily focused on threats from Al Qaeda, the regional network Jemaah Islamiyah, and self-radicalised lone actors inspired by the Islamic State.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">On Jul 29 last year, Singapore\u2019s home affairs ministry released a report noting that the terrorism threat to the nation remains high amid the Israel-Hamas war, though intelligence suggests there is no imminent attack.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The ongoing war in Iran, which began on Feb 28 with Israel and the US launching strikes, passed its 100th day on Monday (Jun 8). Despite a ceasefire in place since April, <a href=\"http:\/\/channelnewsasia.com\/asia\/defying-trump-brief-iran-fight-israel-seeks-sway-over-peace-talks-6169516\">Israel\u00a0renewed strikes on Iran on Monday<\/a> after Iran fired missiles at Israel in what Tehran said was retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon&#8217;s capital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"referenced-card\">\n<h4 class=\"h4 h4--related-block\">\n<div>Related:<\/div>\n<\/h4>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"media-object\">\n<div class=\"media-object__figure\">\n  <a class=\"link\" href=\"\/asia\/iran-war-southeast-asia-price-supplies-100-days-6161816\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--v_p1Hjbd--\/c_crop,h_900,w_1600,x_0,y_10\/c_fill,g_auto,h_98,w_175\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/mediacorp\/cna\/image\/2026\/06\/04\/13980891.jpg?itok=v4GvV1BL\" alt=\"\"><br \/>\n                <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"media-object__content\">\n<div class=\"media-object__body\">\n<div class=\"list-object\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 list-object__heading\">\n<a class=\"h6__link list-object__heading-link\" href=\"\/asia\/iran-war-southeast-asia-price-supplies-100-days-6161816\"><br \/>\n      <span>Long-term &#8216;structural shock&#8217;: As Iran war drags on, how will Southeast Asia be impacted?<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"media-object\">\n<div class=\"media-object__figure\">\n  <a class=\"link\" href=\"\/commentary\/strait-hormuz-iran-war-energy-oil-crisis-6164151\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dam.mediacorp.sg\/image\/upload\/s--hZS8lFsB--\/c_crop,h_449,w_799,x_1,y_38\/c_fill,g_auto,h_98,w_175\/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_mediacorp:cna:watermark:2024-04:reuters_1,w_0.1\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1\/one-cms\/core\/2026-06-03T012818Z_2_LYNXMPEM5200U_RTROPTP_3_GLOBAL-OIL.JPG?itok=GSKUcSdL\"><br \/>\n                <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"media-object__content\">\n<div class=\"media-object__body\">\n<div class=\"list-object\">\n<h6 class=\"h6 list-object__heading\">\n<a class=\"h6__link list-object__heading-link\" href=\"\/commentary\/strait-hormuz-iran-war-energy-oil-crisis-6164151\"><br \/>\n      <span>Commentary: The Strait of Hormuz is getting less dire by the day<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"podcast\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<article>\n<div class=\"omnystudio-podcast\">\n      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Matthew Levitt, Fromer-Wexler Senior Fellow at The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1286,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Iran\u2019s proxies moving towards \u2018violent gig economy\u2019, but no imminent threat to Southeast Asia: Expert - Asia Newscast<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1285\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Iran\u2019s proxies moving towards \u2018violent gig economy\u2019, but no imminent threat to Southeast Asia: Expert - Asia Newscast\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Advertisement Asia Iran\u2019s proxies moving towards \u2018violent gig economy\u2019, but no imminent threat to Southeast Asia: Expert While there are no reports of Iran-linked \u201cviolent gig economy\u201d activities in Southeast Asia, \u201cwell-to-do\u201d societies may be more vulnerable to threats, says a counterterrorism expert at a dialogue in Singapore. 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Matthew Levitt, Fromer-Wexler Senior Fellow at The [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1285","og_site_name":"Asia Newscast","article_published_time":"2026-06-10T19:04:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":830,"height":468,"url":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/img_8940-uKCDUi.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"ANC News Desk","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"ANC News Desk","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1285#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1285"},"author":{"name":"ANC News Desk","@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/#\/schema\/person\/2c9f588ee00d3b2b92133babac793e30"},"headline":"Iran\u2019s proxies moving towards \u2018violent gig economy\u2019, but no imminent threat to Southeast Asia: Expert","datePublished":"2026-06-10T19:04:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1285"},"wordCount":1977,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1285#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/img_8940-uKCDUi.jpg","inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1285","url":"https:\/\/www.asianewscast.com\/?p=1285","name":"Iran\u2019s proxies moving towards \u2018violent gig economy\u2019, but no imminent threat to Southeast Asia: Expert - 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