In the aftermath of its brief but intense conflict with Israel, Iran has launched a sweeping crackdown, executing six people accused of spying for Israeli intelligence and arresting hundreds more. Human rights groups and international observers have raised alarm over what they describe as politically motivated repression disguised as national security enforcement.
Wave of Arrests and Executions
According to BBC Persian, Iranian authorities claim that Israeli agents infiltrated key security institutions, leading to the assassinations of senior IRGC commanders and nuclear scientists. Since the ceasefire was declared, Iranian courts have reportedly executed three individuals for espionage, following three earlier executions during the 12-day war. State media aired confessions, allegedly from detainees admitting ties to Mossad.
However, international rights organisations warn these confessions may have been obtained through torture or coercion, citing Iran’s history of conducting secret trials and forced televised statements. The total number of arrests has surpassed 700, according to the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency.
Silencing Dissent Beyond Borders
Iran’s crackdown isn’t limited to espionage suspects. The regime is aggressively targeting exiled media professionals. BBC Persian and Iran International report that family members of journalists based in London and abroad have been detained to pressure them into resigning. In one instance, security agents forced a detained father to call his daughter—a TV presenter—and beg her to quit live on air.
Manoto TV, another Persian-language outlet, has also documented cases of threats against relatives of staff, who are accused of “waging war against God” (moharebeh), a charge that carries the death penalty in Iran.
Activists, Artists, and Writers Targeted
Dozens of activists, writers, and artists have also been arrested in recent weeks, many of them detained without formal charges. Reports suggest that families of victims from the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement have also been harassed. The current repression mirrors earlier crackdowns during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, particularly the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners.
Internet Access and Censorship
In parallel, the government has restricted internet access across the country. While some connectivity was restored post-ceasefire, access to major platforms such as Instagram, X, Telegram, and YouTube remains blocked. Citizens rely heavily on VPN services, although authorities have recently threatened legal action against those engaging with Israeli-linked pages on social media.
Text messages from the Ministry of Intelligence have warned individuals whose numbers appear on such pages to “exit immediately or face prosecution.”
International Reaction and Future Outlook
The ongoing crackdown is perceived by analysts as an effort by Tehran to reassert domestic control amid diminished regional influence and economic turmoil. “They’ve returned to old playbooks — suppression, show trials, and fear,” said a Tehran-based political analyst, speaking anonymously.
Critics fear this campaign could expand, with further executions possible in the coming weeks. The international community is urging Tehran to uphold basic human rights and due process, but Iran’s government maintains that its actions are necessary to protect national security in the wake of what it calls “Israeli aggression.”
Conclusion
As Iran navigates post-war instability, its leaders appear focused not just on retaliation against external enemies, but on reinforcing control at home. Whether this strategy will succeed—or further alienate a population already weary from repression and economic hardship—remains to be seen.
Read More: Ceasefire Talks Resume Amid Gaza Violence
