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Iranian authorities have carried out a wave of arrests and numerous shootings of people suspected of links with Israeli special services, after the recent war between the two countries.
This happens after the officials describe as an unprecedented infiltration of Iranian security services.
Authorities suspect the information provided by Israel has played a certain participation in a number of high -profile killings during the conflict. This included targeted killings of senior commanders from the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and nuclear scientists, which Iran explains the Mosad’s Israeli intelligence agency operating in the country.
Having hit the scale and accuracy of these murders, the authorities are aimed at those suspected of dealing with foreign intelligence, saying it was for national security.
But many are afraid that this is also a way to silence dissent and strengthen control over the population.
During the 12-day conflict, the Iranian authorities shot three people accused of espionage for Israel. On Wednesday, only a day after the ceasefire – three more people were shot on similar accusations.
Since then, officials have announced the arrest of hundreds of suspects across the country on charges of espionage. State Television broadcasted the alleged confessions in several detainees, allegedly recognizing cooperation with Israeli intelligence.
Human rights groups and activists have expressed fears about recent events, citing Iran’s many years of practice to extract forced confessions and unjust trials. There is a concern that more shootings may occur.
Iran’s intelligence Ministry claims that he is involved in a “tireless battle” against what he calls Western and Israeli intelligence networks – including the CIA, Mosad and Mi6.
According to the Fars agency, which is connected with the IRGC, since the beginning of the Israeli attack on Iran on June 13, “Israeli spy network has become very active in the country.” Fars reports that within 12 days Iranian intelligence and security forces have arrested “more than 700 people associated with this network.”
Iranians told BBC Persian that they received a warning from the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, which reported that their telephone numbers appeared on the social media pages related to Israel. They were instructed to leave these pages or face persecution.
The Iranian government has also strengthened pressure on journalists working in the Persian media abroad, including the BBC Persian and the London Iranian International Television and Manoto TV.
According to Iran International, Irgc detained his mother, father and brother of one of the TV presenters in Tehran to press on it to refuse to cover the Iran-Israeli Channel. The presenter called from his father – prompted by security agents – calling her to quit and warn about further consequences.
After the conflict began, the threats aimed at the BBC Persian journalists and their families are becoming more serious. According to recently affected journalists, Iranian security officials who addressed their families claim that in the context of wartime they are justified in orientation to family members as hostages. They also called the journalists “Mohareb” – a term meaning “one who wage war against God” – an accusation that, according to Iranian legislation, can postpone the death penalty.
Manoto TV reported similar incidents, including threats against the families of staff and demands to switch all communication ties. Some relatives were reportedly threatened with allegations such as “hostility against God” and espionage – both capital crimes in accordance with Iranian law.
Analysts consider this tactic as part of a broader strategy of silence dissent and intimidation of exiled media workers.
Security forces also detained dozens of activists, writers and artists, in many cases without official accusations. There are also reports of arrest sent to family members who died during the actions of anti -government protests “Woman, Life, Freedom”.
These actions suggest a wider campaign aimed not only at current activists, but also to those who are connected with previous waves of dissent.
During the war, the Iranian government greatly restricted access to the Internet, and even after the ceasefire, full access has not yet been restored. Restriction of Internet access during crises, especially during nationwide protests against the government, became the usual scheme of Iran. In addition, most social networks such as Instagram, Telegram, X and YouTube, as well as news sites such as BBC Persian, have long been blocked in Iran and cannot access without using proxies -a virtual private network (VPN).
Human rights defenders and political observers have drawn parallels since the 1980s, when the Iranian authorities severely suffocated political opposition during the Iran-Iraq war.
Many fear that after a weakened international situation after the conflict with Israel, Iranian authorities can turn inwards again, resorting to mass arrests, shootings and strong repression.
Critics point to the events of 1988, when, according to human rights groups, thousands of political prisoners – many already undergo sentences – have been executed after short, secret tests, the so -called “death commissions”. Most of the victims were buried in unmatched mass graves.
