Yale University is among 60 "subversive" international organizations stirring up Iran's political discord as part of a plot backed by the United States, Britain and Israel to undermine the Islamic Republic, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security said today, according to the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency and the official Islamic Republic News Agency (in Persian).

The Ivy League school joins the ranks of news organizations such as the Persian-language Voice of America and BBC Persian as well as Beltway think tanks such as the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace that have been accused of being part of a "soft war" waged against Iran by its enemies.

The reports quoted a deputy minister of intelligence for international affairs but cited no name. At a news conference, he reportedly said Iranians should have no contact with such organizations.

"Having any relation, signing any contract with them or receiving any facilities from individuals or legal entities affiliated to those institutions and foundations are illegal and forbidden," he reportedly said. "Similarly it is illegal for political movements, groups and parties to receive any cash and non-cash assistance" from the organizations.