Following the wave of repression after the nationwide protests of January 2026, the Iranian regime’s security and judicial institutions have in recent days launched a new round of widespread arrests across the country. The detention of hundreds of citizens in various provinces, issuance of disciplinary rulings against students, confiscation of critics’ property, and attribution of charges such as espionage and collaboration with the enemy to detainees indicate an intensification of the regime’s security policies to control society and prevent the emergence of any new protests.
Published reports indicate that in recent days, hundreds of citizens have been arrested in various parts of the country on security-related charges. In western Iran alone, at least 239 citizens have been detained in the provinces of Kurdistan and Kermanshah under allegations of affiliation with opposition groups.
Iranian Doctor Sentenced to Death for Helping Injured Protesters
At the same time, the Ministry of Intelligence and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have reported the arrest of dozens more individuals in the provinces of Ilam, Sistan and Baluchestan, Gilan, Lorestan, West Azerbaijan, Mazandaran, Tehran, and East Azerbaijan. In most cases, broad and security-related accusations such as collaboration with the enemy, espionage, links to hostile groups, or media activities against the regime have been raised, without any independent evidence being published to support these claims.
The label of espionage; a new pretext for suppressing protesters
Observers believe that in recent months, the regime has attempted to detain a wide range of protesters, critics, and civil activists by labeling them as spies or agents of the enemy.
This pattern has intensified particularly after the escalation of regional tensions and the regime’s increased use of war rhetoric; to the extent that many political and security cases are now accompanied by claims of cooperation with Mossad, links to the United States, or transferring information to the enemy.
This labeling serves as a tool to legitimize internal repression and to raise the cost of protest in public opinion.
Using a wartime atmosphere to deepen repression
Alongside external tensions and extensive propaganda about security threats, the regime has attempted to turn a wartime atmosphere into a cover for intensifying internal repression.
Within this framework, any form of criticism, protest, media activity, or even publishing content on social media can lead to security charges and arrest. The regime is using security conditions and a wartime atmosphere to effectively suspend citizens’ rights and expand the powers of its security institutions.
Widespread arrests; a preventive strategy to contain protests
The current wave of arrests is not merely a reaction to isolated security cases but is part of a preventive strategy to stop the formation of new protests.
The mass arrest of citizens, local activists, students, social media users, and critics across various provinces indicates that the regime seeks to create an atmosphere of fear to contain any social discontent before it turns into street protests.
