Iranian regime, weakened by war with Israel, steps up repression

In Evin Prison after the Israeli bombings in June, in Tehran, on July 1, 2025, during a press visit organized by the government. AFP

After twelve days of war, the time has come to crack down on " collaborators " in Iran. Since the ceasefire with Israel came into effect on June 24, arrests have been multiplying across the country, among human rights activists, social media users accused of "online propaganda," but also Afghan immigrants and followers of the Baha'i faith (considered by the Iranian regime as a "wandering sect" ). The goal, according to the New York-based NGO Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), is to "attempt to crush all forms of dissent and reestablish its control." Weakened abroad, the Islamic Republic is cracking down internally.

In recent days, Iranian media have reported more than 700 arrests across the country during the 12-day war, particularly in the provinces of Kermanshah, Isfahan, Khuzestan, Fars, and Lorestan. The actual figure is likely higher—the CHRI reports several hundred additional arrests in Tehran. Pressure is also intense in Kurdish cities, especially smaller ones, where arrests continue. The accusation is always the same: " collaboration with the Zionist regime "—Israel, in official jargon.

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