Paris to Host Major Rally Supporting a Free Iran on June 20
More than 100,000 people are expected to gather in Paris on June 20, 2026, to voice their support for freedom and democracy in Iran. The event will call for an end to executions in Iran and advocate for a democratic republic free from dictatorship.
“No to Executions, Yes to a Democratic Republic”
Supporters of the Iranian Resistance and freedom-loving Iranians from across the world are expected to participate in what organizers describe as one of the largest Iranian gatherings ever held in Europe. The rally aims to condemn the increasing wave of political executions in Iran and highlight the Iranian people’s demand for a democratic future.
The event coincides with the 45th anniversary of the beginning of Iran’s nationwide resistance against the ruling theocracy — a day commemorated as the Day of Martyrs and Political Prisoners in Iran. Organizers say the gathering will deliver a clear message to the international community: lasting peace and stability in Iran can only be achieved through support for the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and democracy.
Growing Concerns Over Executions in Iran
The rally takes place amid rising international concern over the sharp increase in executions of political prisoners in Iran, particularly members and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Reports indicate that dozens of dissidents have been executed in recent weeks, while many others remain on death row.
Human rights advocates warn that the Iranian regime is using executions and widespread repression to create fear and prevent another nationwide uprising similar to the protests that swept across Iran earlier this year. Many young protesters, students, and athletes arrested during the January 2026 uprising are still imprisoned, and the fate of thousands remains unknown.
For many participants, opposition to executions is closely tied to the broader demand for democratic change. Their central slogan remains:
“No to Executions — No to Shah, No to Mullahs — Yes to a Democratic Republic.”
Rejecting All Forms of Dictatorship
Speakers and participants are expected to emphasize that the Iranian people reject both the former monarchy and the current clerical regime. The movement supporting the rally advocates for a democratic republic based on free elections, separation of religion and state, gender equality, minority rights, and the abolition of the death penalty.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which supports the event, states that Iran’s future must be determined solely by its people — not through foreign intervention, war, or appeasement of the ruling establishment.
Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI’s President-elect for the transitional period, has repeatedly promoted what she describes as a “third option”: neither dictatorship nor foreign-imposed change, but democratic transformation led by the Iranian people and the organized resistance inside Iran.
International Support and Solidarity
Lawmakers, former officials, human rights advocates, and political figures from Europe and North America are expected to attend the rally in solidarity with the Iranian people.
Organizers believe the large turnout in Paris will reflect growing international support for a democratic republic in Iran and for the Iranian people’s right to resist tyranny and repression.
As preparations continue, activists across social media are encouraging supporters worldwide to take part in what they describe as a historic march for Iran’s future.
On June 20, Paris is expected to become the voice of a nation calling for freedom, justice, and an end to executions.
Amnesty International: 2,159 People Executed in Iran in 2025
In a new report, Amnesty International stated that the Iranian regime carried out at least 2,159 executions in 2025, marking the highest number of executions in more than four decades. According to the human rights organization, this figure played a major role in the sharp global rise in executions.
The human rights organization announced on Monday, May 18, that a total of at least 2,707 people were executed worldwide in 2025, the highest recorded figure since 1981.
The Amnesty International report states that the increase in executions is not limited to Iran; however, the Iranian regime alone accounted for the largest share of this trend and set an unprecedented record.
Amnesty International emphasizes that the rise in executions in Iran has coincided with an intensified security and political climate in the country. According to the organization, Iranian regime officials, following widespread anti-government protests in January last year and after the start of the war with Israel and the United States in February, have turned the death penalty into a tool for political repression and spreading fear in society.
The report states that governments which restrict civic space and silence dissent are increasingly resorting to the death penalty to consolidate their power.
Amnesty International says this trend has intensified particularly in Iran, where executions in many cases are carried out in opaque circumstances and without respect for fair trial standards.
Other human rights organizations have also repeatedly warned in recent months about the rising number of executions in Iran. According to these organizations, some of those executed include political prisoners, detained protesters, and individuals tried in security-related cases.
In conclusion, Amnesty International stressed that due to restricted access to information in Iran, the actual number of executions is likely even higher than the reported figures. The organization called on the international community to exert greater pressure on the Iranian regime to halt the wave of executions in Iran and to prevent the government from using the death penalty as a tool of political repression.
Iran’s ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ campaign marks 121st week
The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign entered its 121st week on Tuesday, May 19. Prisoners participating in the campaign called for global action against executions in Iran.
The prisoners issued a statement on this occasion.
Text of the statement by the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign
“No to execution” and the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign are an essential principle for defending the right to life. Continuation of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign in 56 different prisons during its 121st week.The Voice They Could Not Silence: Vahid Bani Amerian’s Final TestamentIran’s authoritarian rulers have, for more than two months, occupied city streets through their agents and limited supporters, publicly training people in the use of weapons. By exploiting children in these gatherings, they seek to institutionalize violence and repression against citizens and protesters. In the past week, the Iranian regime hanged political prisoner and Baluch citizen Abdoljalil Shahbakhsh in Zahedan Prison. In another criminal act, it executed Mohammad Abbasi, one of those arrested during the January uprising, on charges of participating in the uprising. This comes while his daughter, Fatemeh Abbasi, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and is currently imprisoned in Tehran’s Evin Prison. The ruling dictatorship, out of fear of being overthrown, pursues no goal other than creating fear and terror in society through issuing and carrying out unjust execution sentences. Alongside political prisoners, we witness the daily execution of young people on non-political charges. We have repeatedly said that execution, regardless of the type of accusation, is not merely the implementation of an unjust judicial sentence that deprives a human being of the right to life. Rather, it is the regime’s most important tool of repression and state killing, rooted deeply in the political, class-based, and ideological foundations of the system of velayat-e faqih. This tool is used to spread fear among the people in order to force the oppressed into submission; but this is a futile illusion. If today the government is hanging young people one after another, it is because it knows very well that these young people have deeply experienced class discrimination and are aware of the regime’s systemic corruption and plunder. It executes them to instill fear, but it fails to realize that this violence not only does not silence people, but also plants the seeds of awareness, resistance, and uprising in hearts and minds. We believe that people must not surrender in the face of these executions. The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign is a necessary step toward justice, freedom, and the elimination of all forms of discrimination and oppression in a future Iran. Open and practical opposition to executions is a highly important and decisive criterion and a true test for today’s activists. As part of the broader movement against executions, we in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign call on all political, human rights, labor, and civil activists to become even more united in stopping executions. We also ask workers, teachers, students, and retirees, who have so far been the loud voice against executions in streets and public spaces, to carry our message to the awakened consciences of international societies. The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, with hope for a free Iran free from repression and executions, and in protest against the issuance and implementation of execution sentences in Iran, is holding a hunger strike on Tuesday, May 19, during its 121st week in 56 prisons across the country.
Massive Washington Rally Highlights Growing Pressure on Iran’s Regime
Thousands of Iranian Americans, political activists, and former U.S. officials gathered in Washington, D.C. on May 16 for one of the largest recent demonstrations in support of democratic change in Iran. The “Washington Free Iran Rally” focused on Iran’s escalating execution campaign, internal unrest, and the activities of organized opposition networks inside the country.
Held against the backdrop of mounting tensions inside Iran following nationwide protests and a surge in political executions, the event brought together members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), and several American political and military figures.
Throughout the rally, speakers repeatedly pointed to what they described as deepening instability within Iran’s ruling system. Many framed the increase in executions and security crackdowns as evidence of growing concern among authorities over renewed anti-government protests.
In a televised address broadcast to the gathering, NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi said the Iranian regime had reached what she described as a “terminal impasse” following the nationwide unrest of January 2026. She argued that authorities were increasingly dependent on “internet blackouts, arbitrary street searches, and a bloody purge of political prisoners” to contain dissent.
Mrs. Rajavi honored eight PMOI members and 17 protesters reportedly executed in recent weeks, highlighting the words attributed to political prisoner Vahid Bani-Amerian before his execution: “Rest assured, if you execute me and those like me, we shall only multiply.”
She also claimed that the continued activities of the Resistance Units demonstrated that “the regime has failed to obstruct the impending uprising.” Rejecting both engagement policies toward Tehran and monarchist currents abroad, Rajavi described supporters of a return to monarchy as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” attempting to revive the legacy of SAVAK, the Shah’s former intelligence organization.
French Magazine Exposes ‘Shah-Making Factory’: Fascist Networks and Lobbies Grooming the Shah’s Son as an Alternative to the Iranian RegimeCalling for stronger international pressure on Tehran, she urged Western governments to “block all diplomatic concessions,” designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, and recognize “the Iranian people’s impending march toward a democratic society governed by the ballot box, gender equality, and pluralism.” Dr. Anahita Sami, an Iranian-American attorney and community organizer, opened the rally by focusing on the human cost of the crackdown inside Iran. She said a “new, fearless generation has looked dictatorship squarely in the eye and refused to kneel before tyranny.” Reading the names of executed political prisoners, including Pouya Ghabadi, Vahid Bani-Amerian, and Babak Alipour, Sami argued that the authorities’ reliance on executions had backfired, saying “every martyr” had become “an uncontainable wildfire.” Former U.S. Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy used his remarks to draw attention to the execution of political prisoners, including elderly dissidents and professionals accused of opposition activity. “A confident regime does not rush architectural and electrical engineers to the gallows,” Kennedy said, referring to recent executions of PMOI supporters and activists. He argued that the execution of longtime opposition figures, including 67-year-old PMOI supporter Abolhassan Montazer, reflected “a deep-seated, paralyzing fear of another domestic uprising.” Kennedy also referenced reported operations carried out by Resistance Units across multiple Iranian cities in recent weeks, saying the activities demonstrated a level of organization inside Iran that policymakers could no longer ignore. He described the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan as “a precise roadmap for free elections and an independent judiciary.” Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands criticized decades of Western engagement policies toward Tehran, arguing that diplomatic outreach had marginalized organized opposition movements. “The existence of a highly organized, disciplined democratic alternative like the NCRI effectively shatters the false narrative that the world must choose between the current theocracy or absolute chaos,” Sands said. She also addressed the debate surrounding monarchist groups abroad, accusing some organizations aligned with former crown prince Reza Pahlavi of glorifying SAVAK. Sands said some monarchist groups in Europe had openly marched with “insignia representing an era defined by torture chambers and political repression.” Retired General Wesley Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, approached the issue from a strategic and security perspective. Clark argued that military pressure alone would not resolve tensions surrounding Iran’s regional activities or nuclear ambitions. “Airplanes flying at 35,000 feet, aircraft carriers, and bunker-busting bombs are merely peripheral,” Clark said. “The root cause of regional instability rests inside the regime itself.” Referring to the January 2026 protests, Clark argued that previous protest waves had demonstrated the limits of peaceful dissent under current conditions. He said “organized, internal armed resistance” would ultimately determine the country’s future trajectory. The rally also featured representatives from Iran’s ethnic minority communities. Hejar Berenji, representing the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI/KDPI) in the United States, advocated for a political system recognizing the rights of Kurds, Baluch, Arabs, and Azeris. “Real national unity cannot be built through forced silence or another centralized dictatorship,” Berenji said. He summarized his position with the slogan: “No dictatorship with turban, no dictatorship with crown.” Berenji also criticized ongoing negotiations with Tehran, calling for “an immediate end to negotiations over the heads of the Iranian people.” Younger Iranian-American speakers focused heavily on the role of women and youth in recent protest movements. Kimia Arya, a biology student at the University of Houston, spoke about the participation of women during the January 2026 demonstrations and the impact of the subsequent crackdown. “The current wave of executions does not project state strength,” Arya said. “It exposes a paralyzing weakness from a regime that is deeply terrified of its students and youth.” She added that younger generations in Iran would accept “nothing less than a forward-looking republic completely free of both the turban and the crown.” Ali Ziaie, a former Canadian Wushu champion and political science graduate, offered a personal account of growing up in a family affected by political imprisonment in Iran. He said he learned from childhood that “simply uttering the name of the MEK carried the penalty of execution.” Ziaie argued that every execution carried out by the authorities now served as “an official confession by the mullahs that they have lost control of the nation’s soul.” The event concluded with a message from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who described the current political system in Iran as “rapidly collapsing from both the inside and the outside.” He called the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan “an essential constitutional guidepost for a post-regime transition.” Across the rally, speakers repeatedly returned to three themes: opposition to executions and repression inside Iran, rejection of both clerical rule and monarchical restoration, and support for organized networks seeking political change from within the country itself.
French Magazine Exposes ‘Shah-Making Factory’: Fascist Networks and Lobbies Grooming the Shah’s Son as an Alternative to the Iranian Regime
The renowned French magazine Nouvel Observateur has published a comprehensive investigation by Marie Vaton exposing the hidden mechanisms of the “Shah-making factory.” The article highlights how the Shah’s son, who was a marginal figure with no political weight just three years ago, has been artificially elevated. This manufactured rise is the result of aggressive, multifaceted networks, some with close ties to the far-right.
The Return of the Shah’s Infamous Royal Secret Police to the Streets of Europe
Exclusionary Slogans in Paris Squares:
Every Sunday, monarchists gather at the Trocadéro in Paris, chanting exclusionary slogans. They prominently shout, “Death to the three corrupts: the Mullah, the Leftist, and the Mojahed,” clearly targeting the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran and progressive forces. These rallies are led by individuals with opaque funding, who suddenly pivoted from fashion and lifestyle to fiercely attacking anyone who opposes the Shah’s son.Failure of the “Georgetown Committee”:
The magazine recalls the “Georgetown Committee” stunt in Washington in February 2023. There, the Shah’s son tried to exploit the blood of the Velayat-e Faqih regime’s victims to declare himself the leader of the uprising. However, this coalition quickly collapsed because he only wanted to subjugate everyone to serve himself. Sociologist Azadeh Kian confirmed to the magazine that the Shah’s son was previously a nobody, lacking any recognition inside Iran or internationally.Troll Armies and Shady Funding:
Explaining this sudden rise, the publication reveals the role of cyber armies and anonymous financing. It points to a Haaretz investigation exposing an influence operation using thousands of fake accounts to support the monarchy’s return and create an illusion of popularity. Sources close to the Shah’s son admitted he lacks the funds for this “complex ecosystem,” revealing that his campaign relies on powerful lobbies offering lucrative salaries to recruit activists.Media Whitewashing and Bribery:
The magazine notes the hiring of professional PR consultants to secure appearances for the Shah’s son on French magazine covers and TV screens. Shadow networks also attempt to recruit “young, attractive victims” of the mullahs’ regime as propaganda tools. Young journalist Nazila Maroofian revealed she received tempting offers of apartments and publishing contracts upon arriving in France, which she bravely refused.Fascist Terror and Hit Lists:
Nouvel Observateur warns that these groups are transforming into a machine of terror and intimidation against democratic dissidents. Monarchist influencers have published “hit lists” targeting lawyers, activists, and even bookstore owners in Paris, threatening daily to burn down their properties. This toxic climate even reached Canada, where Massoud Masjoudi, a fierce opponent of both the Velayat-e Faqih regime and the monarchy, was assassinated in March by Iranian extremists.Return of SAVAK and the Shah’s Guard:
The report concludes by highlighting the public demands of monarchists for the return of “SAVAK,” the notorious intelligence agency responsible for thousands of torture cases. It describes a chilling scene in London last April, where a hundred masked men in black marched under the banner of the “Immortal Guard.” The magazine raises a fundamental question: are these fascist militias simply seeking to replace the mullahs’ regime’s suppression apparatus with an equally bloody one?Iraqi Militia Commander Arrested Over Alleged Plotting of Terrorist Attacks in the U.S. and Europe
An Iraqi militia commander has been arrested on charges of involvement in planning more than 12 “terrorist” attacks in North America and Europe, attacks that judicial officials say were planned in response to war with Iran.
U.S. judicial officials say that Mohammad Bagher Saad Dawood Saeedi, 32, was planning attacks on a synagogue in New York and two Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale.
According to the criminal complaint, he faces six terrorism-related charges. His lawyer, however, says he has been targeted in a politically motivated prosecution.
According to U.S. officials, Saeedi is one of the commanders of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraq-based group that the United States considers a terrorist organization, and which has close ties to Iran.
Saeedi, an Iraqi citizen, was first arrested in Turkey and then handed over to the FBI and transferred to the United States.
Saeedi appeared in federal court in Manhattan and will remain in custody pending trial.
Concerns in U.S. Congress Over Cryptocurrency Transfers to Networks Linked to Iran’s Regime
Two members of the U.S. Congress, Sean Casten and Gregory Meeks, in an official letter to the U.S. government, called for explanations regarding the role of cryptocurrency exchange Binance in large-scale digital currency transfers.
In the letter, published on Thursday, May 14, it was claimed that about $1.7 billion in cryptocurrency had been transferred through Binance to wallets linked to armed groups and forces affiliated with the Iranian regime. According to the lawmakers, part of this financial network was likely used to circumvent U.S. sanctions.
The report also referred to Tehran-backed groups such as the Houthis in Yemen. The members of Congress emphasized that these transactions took place while Binance had been under scrutiny by U.S. authorities following regulatory agreements and commitments to implement strict anti-money laundering regulations.
They also recalled that Binance admitted in 2023 to violating certain U.S. financial laws, but despite regulatory agreements, reports indicate that suspicious transactions have continued, some of which have been attributed to activities linked to the Iranian regime.
The two members of Congress asked the U.S. Department of Justice and the Treasury Department to explain the effectiveness of the controls imposed on Binance and the possible reasons for failing to prevent these financial transfers.
The letter also expressed concern over the use of cryptocurrencies to evade sanctions imposed on the Iranian regime and requested a comprehensive report on how Binance’s operations are being monitored.
IRGC Increases Terrorist Activities in Gulf Arab Countries
At a time when Iran’s regime is pursuing a policy of regional militarism, a broad wave of alleged IRGC-linked terrorist activity is intensifying in Gulf Arab countries.
A recent report by the U.S. newspaper The New York Times has once again drawn attention to Iran’s extraterritorial activities and networks linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) across Arab states in the Persian Gulf. The report describes a wave of mass arrests in several regional countries. Security officials in these states have accused detainees of ties to the IRGC and involvement in security cooperation with Iran’s regime. Meanwhile, the region’s political and media environment has also been affected by growing concerns over IRGC-related terrorism.
IRGC Members Arrested in Kuwait, Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison in Bahrain for Cooperation with IRGCAccording to the report, more than 100 alleged IRGC operatives have been arrested in Gulf Arab countries. The main charges against these individuals are treason and cooperation with networks affiliated with Iran’s regime. The report states that regional governments, following heightened military and security tensions with Iran, have begun extensive surveillance of groups and individuals close to Tehran.
IRGC terrorism in Bahrain; revocation of citizenship and cleric arrests
Bahrain has been identified as one of the main centers of this security case. According to the published report, Bahraini authorities have revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals. In addition, 41 others have been arrested on charges of links to the IRGC. Among those detained are dozens of clerics aligned with Iran’s regime. A human rights group has stated that 37 of those detained in Bahrain are clerics. This has triggered widespread reactions in regional media. Media outlets close to the Bahraini government have described these individuals as part of a “soft influence network” of the rule of the Supreme Leader. In contrast, some groups affiliated with Iran’s regime have described the arrests as political. In previous years as well, Bahrain has repeatedly accused Iran’s regime of security interference and organizing armed groups. The country’s government had earlier stated that some opposition groups were trained on Iranian soil. The latest New York Times report now suggests that concerns over IRGC-related terrorism in Bahrain have entered a new phase.UAE; publication of suspects’ images and calls for harsh punishment
A similar case is underway in the United Arab Emirates. According to The New York Times report, 27 individuals in the country have been accused of membership in a Shiite terrorist organization. The UAE government has published images of these individuals and described them as part of an organized network. Some figures close to the UAE authorities have also called for severe judicial action against the accused. Emirati media have described the case as part of Iran’s regime efforts to achieve security infiltration in Arab countries. Security officials in the UAE have stressed that any connection to IRGC-linked networks is considered a threat to national security. In recent years, relations between Iran’s regime and Gulf Arab states have repeatedly been in crisis. Attacks on oil facilities, arms smuggling cases, and the activities of proxy groups have been among the main points of contention between Tehran and regional governments. Now, the issue of IRGC-related terrorism has once again become one of the central security concerns for Arab states.Increasing regional pressure against the clerical regime
The New York Times report indicates that Gulf Arab countries have adopted a stricter approach toward networks close to Iran’s regime. Security institutions in these countries believe the IRGC is attempting to exploit sectarian divisions to expand its influence. In past years, regional governments have repeatedly accused Iran’s regime of creating instability. Many of these countries believe Tehran uses militias and proxy forces to advance its regional objectives. The recent mass arrests now indicate that the IRGC terrorism case has entered a new stage. Rising tensions in the Persian Gulf are occurring alongside internal crises within Iran’s regime. Iran’s regime is facing waves of public dissatisfaction, an economic crisis, and widespread protests at home. Nevertheless, international reports continue to indicate ongoing security and regional operations by the IRGC outside Iran’s borders.77 Days of Internet Shutdown, A Tool of Control and a Sign of Tehran’s Real Fears
The crisis of internet shutdowns in Iran has entered a new phase. 77 days of internet cuts, widespread disruptions, a sharp decline in access quality, and the implementation of restrictive policies have now become one of the main sources of public dissatisfaction. At the same time as economic and social pressures increase, many users, business owners, and media activists believe that the regime is trying to exert greater control over the public sphere by continuing its policy of internet shutdowns.
In this regard, Qader Bastani Tabrizi, a communications professor and board member of the Journalists’ Trade Association, warned about the widespread consequences of internet shutdowns in an interview with the government-affiliated ILNA news agency on May 13, 2026. ILNA is a labor-focused media outlet in Iran that is generally considered close to state institutions. He stressed: available data and people’s daily experience show that the state of the internet in recent months has created a wave of anger and social dissatisfaction. Bastani Tabrizi said: despite being aware of the consequences of the crisis, the government continues its policy of blocking access. Ignoring public opinion is either a sign of complete disregard for society or a sign of inability to make decisions.🌍 #Iran's digital isolation is now entering its 77th day as the internet blackout passes 1824 hours. The measure presents an emerging mental health risk to the public, who are largely cut off from online platforms, communications, and normal interaction with the outside world. pic.twitter.com/MvRxvTRlY6
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) May 15, 2026
Internet shutdown and the failure of government promises
Bastani Tabrizi then referred to the election promises of the government of Iranian regime president Masoud Pezeshkian. He said: despite earlier slogans, the government has not made any real change in the state of internet access. He added that merely expressing dissatisfaction by officials does not solve the problem. If the government does not have decision-making authority, it should state this clearly, so the public knows which institution is actually responsible for the internet shutdown policy.Behind the Internet Shutdown: The Iranian Regime’s Black MarketHe also referred to the continuation of restrictions after a ceasefire was established and said: people do not accept that the internet is cut for weeks without any clear explanation. During this period, many online businesses were destroyed and severe damage was inflicted on people’s livelihoods. At the same time, the implementation of a tiered internet policy and the provision of special internet access for select groups at several times higher prices has triggered widespread anger among users. Bastani Tabrizi described this policy as contrary to media justice and said the government has chosen a path of digital discrimination instead of expanding free access.
Accountability crisis and growing distrust
The board member of the Journalists’ Trade Association said ambiguity in digital rights is one of the main roots of the crisis. He stated that no specific institution takes responsibility for internet shutdowns, and this has intensified public distrust. Bastani Tabrizi stressed that the decision-making structure regarding the internet is controlled by a narrow group that does not value public demand. According to him, in this view, the internet is seen not as a development infrastructure but as a permanent threat. He also pointed to the failure of official media in representing social diversity. He said state media continue to operate in a monolithic manner, deepening the gap between society and the official structure. In response to the question of whether the internet is the cause of unrest, he stated that the roots of social crises lie in the economy, unemployment, inflation, and livelihood pressures. The internet is merely a reflection of these crises, and it is not possible to hide social realities by shutting it down.” The internet shutdown crisis has now become a symbol of a deeper crisis in the ruling structure of the clerical regime in Iran. A government that fears protest, awareness, and the free flow of information is trying to contain a dissatisfied society through blocking and controlling the online space. However, experience from past years has shown that internet shutdown policies have neither created stability nor lasting security. This policy has only increased public anger, social distrust, and the gap between the people and the government.Targeted Repression of Iranian Women, From Mass Arrests to Death Sentences
Women in Iran have faced a wave of widespread arrests and targeted repression; a wave that indicates a planned intensification of control amid the crisis. Features of this period include mass arrests, the issuance of heavy judicial sentences, and increased harassment and pressure on the families of political prisoners, those executed, and those killed during the January 2026 uprising.
This report presents a picture of the situation of women in conditions where political crises and restrictions on information have further obscured the true scale of violations of their rights.
Iran’s regime has once again exploited the atmosphere of tension and war crisis it has imposed on the Iranian people to intensify domestic repression. While public attention was partly focused on regional developments and war, security apparatuses systematically expanded the scope of control and suppression inside the country.
Iran Intensifies Pressure on Families of PMOI Prisoners Amid Expanding CrackdownField reports indicate that a wave of daily arrests, including among women and young girls, has been underway. These arrests are often carried out under vague security charges and without transparent judicial procedures. In many cases, these women and girls are arrested together with their husbands or other family members. These arrests are part of a deliberate policy to create fear and intimidation and to prevent the formation of an uprising. On April 19, 2026, Ahmadreza Radan, the commander-in-chief of the regime’s State Security Forces, announced in a televised interview the arrest of 1,800 people. Of this number, 700 were detained for activity on social media networks. (Fars News Agency, April 19, 2026, a state-run Iranian news agency) He did not specify the timeframe of these arrests, but it is believed they occurred either since the beginning of the war or after the January uprising. Iran’s judiciary system typically justifies these arrests under charges such as collaboration with the enemy, moharebeh (enmity against God, an accusation that can carry the death penalty), or propaganda against the system, framing them as national security cases. Due to widespread internet shutdowns or severe restrictions and tight control over information flow, exact arrest figures are not available; however, estimates indicate the arrest and imprisonment of many women and girls. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian regime’s parliament, in this regard urged government forces, saying: “Do not abandon the street choke point.” (Tasnim News Agency, March 30, 2026, a media outlet close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) Media outlets close to security institutions have also emphasized the importance of continuous street presence by forces to control protests. Meanwhile, the National Council of Resistance of Iran announced in a statement that during nationwide protests from December 28, 2025 to January 14, 2026, more than 50,000 people were arrested. Among them are a significant number of women, youth, and students, many of whom have been forcibly disappeared and are now under torture and facing unfair trials and death sentences. So far, nine detained protesters from the Dey (January) uprising have been executed. Previously, Masoumeh Ebtekar, former head of the Iranian regime’s Vice Presidency for Women and Family Affairs, stated in a note that 77% of those arrested in the January nationwide protests were under 30 years old, including 17% school students and 6% university students. (Etemad newspaper, April 15, 2026, a state-run newspaper)
Execution as a tool of intimidation; women facing death sentences
The death penalty continues to be used as one of the regime’s main tools to create fear and prevent the expansion of social protests. Between March 19 and April 25, 2026, eight political members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), the regime’s main opposition, and nine young protesters arrested during the January uprising were executed.The Voice They Could Not Silence: Vahid Bani Amerian’s Final TestamentAmong them, dozens of female protesters have either been sentenced to death or are facing severe charges that could lead to execution. Mahboubeh Shabani, 33, from Mashhad, is being held in Vakilabad prison on charges of moharebeh. This charge, which can lead to a death sentence, is related to assisting in transferring injured protesters to medical centers during the January uprising. Fatemeh Abbasi, 34, and the mother of a 13-year-old girl, who was arrested along with her father during the January nationwide protests, was recently transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison after weeks of torture and interrogation for forced confessions. Fatemeh has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, and her father, who was sentenced to death, was executed two days ago.
