Severe Air Pollution in Various Cities of IranReferring to the results of the most recent study conducted in Iran in 2024 on the health impacts and economic damages caused by air pollution, Shahsavani said: “A study on the health and economic effects of air pollution was conducted last year, in which 83 cities in the country with a population of more than 57 million people were examined.” According to the results of this study, the lowest number of deaths attributed to air pollution in these 83 cities was estimated at 23,766, and the highest at 46,000. Shahsavani said: “Sanandaj is also among the cleanest cities in the country, and in other words, it can be said that the cities of Shahroud and Sanandaj had the lowest concentration of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in 2024.” The cities of Zabol, Iranshahr, and Rigan had the highest concentration of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns last year and were respectively the most polluted cities in the country in 2024. Shahsavani had previously reported the deaths of more than 7,000 people in Tehran last year due to air pollution. On August 6, he told the state-run ILNA news agency that in 2023, Tehran had recorded 7,342 deaths attributed to “long-term exposure to particulate matter.” This statistic, based on a study at the Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center of Shahid Beheshti University, shows that the air pollution-related mortality rate has increased by about 1% compared to 2023. Several media outlets in Iran reported different figures on August 1, stating that last year “6,000” Tehran residents lost their lives due to air pollution. Burning of heavy fuel oil (mazut) in power plants, low-quality gasoline, and worn-out vehicles are identified as the main sources of air pollutants in Tehran and across Iran.
More Than 35,000 Pollution-Related Deaths Recorded In Iran in 2024
The deputy head of the Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center at Beheshti University of Medical Sciences announced that more than 35,000 deaths attributed to air pollution were recorded in the country during 2024.
The state-run ISNA news agency wrote on Wednesday, August 13, quoting Abbas Shahsavani, that statistics show the average number of deaths attributed to air pollution in 2024 was 35,540 people. In 2023, 30,690 deaths from air pollution were reported in Iran.
This figure was more than 26,000 people in 2022.
Spokesperson for the SSF: 21,000 People Arrested During War with Israel
The Iranian regime’s media outlets in Iran, quoting the spokesperson for the State Security Forces Command, reported that during the 12-day war with Israel, 21,000 people were arrested “based on public reports.” The head of the regime’s judiciary had previously announced the arrest of more than 2,000 people in connection with Iran’s regime’s war with Israel.
Saeed Montazerolmahdi, spokesperson for the Law Enforcement Command of Iran’s regime, said on Tuesday, August 12, that during the 12-day war, the cyber police (FATA) handled and solved more than 5,700 cases of cybercrime, “including online fraud and unauthorized withdrawals.”
Iran’s Regime Extends Prison Sentence of Two Elite Students Under New Made-Up ChargesAccording to him, the cyberattack on the Nobitex cryptocurrency exchange was also swiftly investigated. Without giving further details, Montazerolmahdi reported the “foiling of a plan to gather at Palestine Square with the aim of carrying out aerial and drone operations,” saying that police stopped this action “before it happened.” During the 12-day war, a gathering was held in Palestine Square in support of Iran’s regime’s war objectives.
Contradictory Figures on Prisoners Escaping from Evin Prison
According to Montazerolmahdi, “In the Evin Prison incident, the northern Tehran security-police unit arrived at the scene in less than five minutes.” He said, “127 political and security prisoners who intended to escape were arrested. Also, two prisoners who attempted to escape disguised in firefighter uniforms were identified and detained.”War, internet blackout, anxiety; connection with Iran has been severedAsghar Jahangir, spokesperson for the judiciary, had said on July 22 regarding the Evin Prison escapes after the Israeli bombing, “The departure of the prisoners is not considered an escape, and most of them were open-sentence inmates with minor offenses. In this incident, 75 people left, of whom 48 have returned, and the remaining 27 do not have major or security-related crimes and will return soon.” According to the spokesperson for the Law Enforcement Command, during this period, 262 people were arrested on suspicion of espionage and 172 on charges of unauthorized filming, while 30 special security cases were identified through the examination of mobile phones seized from suspects and detainees.
The 12-Day War and Foreign Nationals
The state-run Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported on June 25 that 700 foreign nationals were arrested during the 12-day war. However, Montazerolmahdi later gave new figures, saying that 2,774 undocumented foreign nationals were identified and arrested during this period, adding, “The examination of these individuals’ mobile phones showed that they had taken videos and photos of high-altitude areas and sensitive locations and had sent location data.” This comes while Mohammad Manan Raeisi, the regime’s MP from Qom, said in a July 15 interview with the IRINN state TV channel, “Based on reliable information, among the spies of Israel, there is not even a single Afghan migrant.”Crime Statistics When Tehran Was Emptied
According to Montazerolmahdi, “During the crisis period,” the rate of solved to committed thefts increased by 48.8%, while theft incidents decreased by 15.5%. “The solving of violent crimes grew by 85.9%, and the occurrence of these crimes dropped by more than 20%. The rate of murders decreased by 23.3%, and the percentage of solved murder cases was reported to be over 90%.” Although this SSF official did not specify exactly which time period these tenth-of-a-percent precision statistics referred to, public reports during the war indicated that many residents of the capital had left Tehran. On June 15, the third day of the 12-day war, the state-run Fars News Agency reported that the Tehran SSF Command building was targeted by Israel. After that, until the end of the war, numerous social media posts from citizens indicated that the police emergency number 110 had been out of service. The spokesperson for the SSF Command said that police identified 147 social media pages “belonging to individuals known as thugs” who had expressed joy over Israel’s attacks, adding, “During this period, 30 individuals who supported Israel’s attacks on social media were arrested, and judicial cases were opened for 35 others.”Hunger Strike by Three Political Prisoners in Lakan Prison, Rasht
According to obtained information, instead of addressing the legitimate demands of these prisoners, the authorities at Lakan Prison in Rasht have transferred Masoud Bidarigh to solitary confinement.
Reports from Lakan Prison indicate the start of a protest hunger strike by three political prisoners—Manouchehr Fallah, Masoud Bidarigh, and Peyman Farahavar—who have taken this action due to deprivation of basic rights, increased pressure, and the authorities’ disregard for their situation. The hunger strike began on Sunday, August 10, and is still ongoing.
More Than 125 Political Prisoners Are Being Held in Inhumane and Unbearable Conditions in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz
Hunger Strike Began with Masoud Bidarigh’s Protest
Masoud Bidarigh, a well-known boxer from Gilan province and a recognized sports figure, cited repeated denial of his right to leave prison and the authorities’ refusal to respond to his repeated requests as the reason for starting the strike. He has long been held in poor physical and mental conditions in the Misagh ward of Lakan Prison, stressing that prison officials have shown complete disregard for his situation, even rejecting simple requests such as medical leave. Following Bidarigh’s hunger strike, two other political prisoners, Manouchehr Fallah and Peyman Farahavar, also joined the protest in solidarity with him and to object to the oppressive conditions in the prison. Both of these prisoners are currently under death sentences.Transfer to Solitary Confinement
According to obtained information, instead of responding to the prisoners’ legitimate demands, Lakan Prison authorities transferred Masoud Bidarigh to solitary confinement. Sources inside the prison say this transfer was intended not only as punishment but also to inflict further psychological and physical pressure.Bidarigh’s History of Protest
Bidarigh had previously, in the winter of 2025, protested against the issuance and execution of Manouchehr Fallah’s death sentence by appearing in front of the main gate of Lakan Prison. At that time, he stressed that death sentences against political and ideological prisoners are not only unjust but also contrary to human rights standards and human dignity.The Situation of Manouchehr Fallah and Peyman Farahavar
Manouchehr Fallah and Peyman Farahavar, both participating in this hunger strike, are under death sentences. Human rights activists say their trials involved blatant violations of defendants’ rights, including denial of access to independent lawyers, physical and psychological coercion, and the extraction of forced confessions.Disregard for Human Rights Warnings
Despite repeated warnings from human rights organizations, Lakan Prison authorities and the regime’s judiciary continue their policy of ignoring the dire conditions of political and ideological prisoners. Human rights activists say this systematic indifference is part of the broader policy of the regime to suppress dissent and restrict citizens’ rights.Iran’s Tenant Household Poverty Rate Rising to 40%, Parliament Reports
The Research Center of Iran’s regime Majlis (parliament) reported an intensifying housing crisis in the country, stating in its latest report that in 2023, the proportion of tenant households living in poverty reached a historic record of 40%.
This data is from two years ago, and experts estimate that the current rate is even higher.
The release of this report comes as the official housing statistics blackout in the Iranian regime has reached 14 months, and the Majlis research center removed its report on worsening tenant poverty from its website just hours after publication.
According to the report, in 2023 around two million tenant households—equivalent to 7.6 million people—were living in poverty.
Houses in Iran Shrink as Poverty GrowsThe center wrote that the country’s housing crisis and unprecedented rent increases have pushed many households below the poverty line due to housing costs, leaving them in a state of housing poverty.
Calculation Based on the “Complementary Method”
The parliamentary research center stated that using the conventional estimation method, tenant household poverty stood at around 27%. However, the center used a “complementary method” in its study, which raised this figure to 40%. According to the report, the complementary method pays particular attention to housing costs and to households whose income is above the poverty line but who fall below it due to rising rents. These households were not considered poor before accounting for housing expenses. According to the report, in 2023 the largest number of tenant households in poverty were four-person families. The heads of household in most poor tenant families were between 35 and 44 years old. Overall, in 2023 the distribution of poor households shows that three-quarters of tenant households in poverty were those where the head of household was under 55 years old.Tehran Has the Highest Number of Poor Tenants
Tehran province has the highest number of poor tenant households, while the lowest number is in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. According to the report, in 2023 a large portion of tenant households in poverty belonged to the bottom five expenditure deciles. The Majlis research center warned that many tenant households have been pushed out of the housing purchase market or, due to persistent inflation, the income gap, and high rents, cannot afford to participate in national housing programs.Repeated Warnings from the Majlis Research Center
This is not the first time the parliament’s research center has warned about the housing crisis in the country. In August 2024, the center reported on Tehran’s housing situation, stating that the price of one square meter of housing was more than seven times a worker’s minimum wage and that “more than half of Iranian households live in inadequate housing.” Mohsen Bagheri, a labor activist and workers’ representative in wage negotiations, described the problem of housing for workers as a “serious crisis” and revealed that about 75% of workers in Iran do not own a home. On May 2 this year, Bagheri told the state-run ILNA news agency: “They have done nothing for workers’ housing. Even after all these years, we still don’t know who is responsible for workers’ housing. For years they have made promises, but nothing happened… they have not built even a single house for workers.” In August 2023, the Iranian regime’s parliamentary research center released a report assessing government and municipal housing policies as flawed. The report stated that projects such as the mass housing construction under the Maskan Mehr scheme, the National Housing Movement, or Tehran Municipality’s “Jihadi Housing Headquarters” initiative have entirely harmed low-income and vulnerable groups without housing. In May 2023, Babak Naghadari, then-head of the parliamentary research center, said that the absence of effective taxation in the housing sector in recent years has increased its appeal, and as a result, housing prices in Tehran have increased 52-fold over the past 17 years. In June 2025, Mizan News Agency, affiliated with the regime’s judiciary, wrote: “A look at some online platforms shows that part of the housing rental ads are published in U.S. dollars or euros.” The report added: “In these ads, houses in northern Tehran or certain specific parts of the city are rented to foreign nationals and citizens, with rental prices ranging from $2,000 to about $4,000 or euros per month.”Iran Regime Expediency Council Warns of Imminent Tehran Water Shortage
After the spokesperson of the Expediency Discernment Council announced that some areas of Tehran could reach “Day Zero” for water supply in the coming days, Isa Bozorgzadeh, the spokesperson for Iran’s water industry, denied the claim, stating that if water consumption savings continue, the crisis will be “managed acceptably.”
On Tuesday, August 12, Iranian media quoted Bozorgzadeh as denying the “Day Zero” for Tehran report, stating that water consumption management in Tehran improved by 13% in July and by over 14% so far in August.
According to Bozorgzadeh, if there is an additional 12% reduction in water consumption in Tehran, the water crisis will be acceptably managed.
Water Crisis in Iran: An Uncertain FuturePrior to Bozorgzadeh’s remarks, Mohsen Dehnavi, spokesperson of the Expediency Discernment Council, wrote in several posts on X that the water crisis in Tehran has surpassed the warning stage and entered a critical phase. He emphasized: “If this trend continues, some parts of the capital could reach Day Zero in the coming weeks—a day when drinking water will be cut off in many neighborhoods, disrupting the daily lives of millions of citizens and causing major social and economic consequences.” At the same time as Dehnavi’s warning, with the continuation of the heatwave and ongoing water and electricity cuts in Iran, regime officials once again decided to impose widespread shutdowns and reduce working hours in government offices across various provinces. According to statements issued by the governors’ offices of several provinces on Monday, August 11, these reduced working hours and closures will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 12 and 13, due to the “rising temperatures” and with the aim of “controlling energy consumption.” The governors’ offices of provinces including Semnan and Kurdistan announced shorter working hours for government offices and banks on August 12. According to the announcements, in some provinces government offices will operate remotely.
Water crisis, lack of management
The spokesperson of the Expediency Discernment Council continued in his post on X: “Five consecutive years of drought, excessive extraction from underground resources, the rapid growth of urban consumption, and structural weaknesses in management have brought the reserves of the main dams to a dangerous level.” Dehnavi, himself a senior regime official, stressed that this crisis is the result of years of “negligence, disregard for sustainable infrastructure, and blatant mismanagement of vital resources, the country’s future, and future generations.” These issues have been raised for years by critics of the regime’s governance from various platforms, but the authorities have usually responded harshly, subjecting critics to security and judicial crackdowns. Meanwhile, amid the water and energy crisis in Iran, the Water Resources Management Company reported that a total of 58% of the country’s dam reservoirs are empty. According to this report, in 26 large dams across the country, over 75% of reservoir capacity is empty. Masoud Pezeshkian, president of the Iranian regime, also warned: “We have no water. There is no water under our feet, nor behind the dams.” Dehnavi described the way out of this situation as “strict conservation policies, renovation of aging networks, industrial consumption control, and smart resource management,” stressing: “Real participation of the people, the scientific community, and the private sector in practical projects, along with the use of new technologies, is essential to saving Tehran from this historic and environmental crisis.”81st Week of “No To Execution Tuesdays” Campaign in 49 Prisons
The 81st week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign was held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in 49 prisons across the country. Prisoners in 49 prisons are on a hunger strike as part of this 81st campaign.
In the statement of the 81st week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, highlighting the rise in executions, the families of death-row prisoners were urged to publicize their loved ones’ death sentences and to hold protest gatherings against these executions.
The text of the statement by prisoners participating in the 81st “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign is as follows:
Hunger strike of the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign in its 81st week across 49 different prisons
While executions and repression in Iran have escalated, and following the transfer of political prisoners from Greater Tehran Prison to Evin Prison, five political prisoners previously sentenced to death—Vahid Bani Amerian, Pouya Ghobadi, Babak Alipour, Akbar (Shahrokh) Daneshvarkar, and Mohammad Taghavi—were suddenly abducted and moved to Ghezel Hesar Prison. Amnesty International has strongly condemned this.
Additionally, two security-related prisoners, Babak Shahbazi and Omid Tabari Moghadam, were also transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison after being beaten. This repressive move is part of an intensified crackdown on political prisoners and the unprecedented increase in executions in the country.
According to reports, a Baluch political prisoner named Amer Porki Baloughzehi has been transferred to solitary confinement in Zahedan Prison for the implementation of his death sentence, and his life is in danger. On August 6 alone, 20 people were executed. Even more shocking, since the start of August, over 110 people have been executed in Iran.
But in the face of this wave of executions, the resistance of prisoners and the public continues. Shopkeepers and the brave people of the city of Semirom shut down the market and their shops in protest against the death sentences of two brothers, Fazel and Mehran Bahramian, making their opposition heard by all.
Transfer of 5 Political Prisoners Sentenced to Death to Ghezel Hesar PrisonWe call on all families of death-row prisoners:
- Do not conceal the issuance of death sentences against your children and relatives; publicize them widely.
Complete Drying of Lake Urmia by the End of Summer Is Certain
Ahmadreza Lahijanzadeh, deputy for marine and wetland affairs at the Department of Environment of Iran’s regime, warned that with the current trend, the complete drying of Lake Urmia by the end of summer is “certain,” citing the low water level in the lake.
On Sunday, August 10, Lahijanzadeh said: “The water level of the lake on August 2 reached 1,269.74 meters, its area has shrunk to 581 square kilometers, and the water volume has been reduced to about half a billion cubic meters; a figure that shows a significant and unprecedented decline compared to last year.”
The Drying Up of Lake Urmia Will Destroy Millions of Lives and Hectares of LandHe warned that if the current trend continues, the complete drying of the lake will occur by the end of summer, and due to the “lack of water inflow,” this situation will not change in autumn. Lahijanzadeh added that although the restoration of Lake Urmia is possible, it will not mean a return to the “ideal conditions” of 1995, when the lake contained 32 billion cubic meters of water. Earlier, on August 8, Banafcheh Zahraei, director of the Water Institute at the University of Tehran, said that Lake Urmia may have reached a “point of no return” and may never again be maintained as a lake. Zahraei identified the main cause of this crisis as the expansion of cultivated land beyond the capacity of the watershed. In recent years, experts have repeatedly warned of the serious consequences of the water crisis, stressing that if the trend continues, Iran could reach a point where not only living in many areas becomes difficult, but social and economic security is also jeopardized. The drying up of water bodies—from Lake Urmia to the Zayandeh Rud River, the Hour al-Azim wetland, and Anzali Lagoon—is an example of the environmental threats posed by the water crisis and the lack of scientific management under Iran’s regime. Previously, Lahijanzadeh, referring to the current crisis of Lake Urmia alongside the drinking water supply problems in some cities, said that the drought of the 2024–2025 water year is one of the key factors contributing to this situation. On August 7, eight civil activists imprisoned in Greater Tehran Penitentiary announced that they would go on hunger strike to protest the “deliberate drying of Lake Urmia by Iran’s regime over recent years.” On July 24, Mohammad Darvish, researcher and environmental activist, criticized the performance of responsible agencies regarding Lake Urmia’s drying, saying: “When we have 14% more rainfall but Lake Urmia is still dry, it means that whether it rains or not, they are not allowing a single drop of water to enter it.”
Frequent Power Outages Have Reduced Iranian Farmers’ Access to Water By 25%
Ataollah Hashemi, head of the National Wheat Farmers Foundation, announced that due to frequent power outages, farmers’ access to water has decreased by one-quarter.
In a video interview with the state-run news outlet Khaneh Eghtesad, Hashemi reported a decline in wheat production due to the effects of drought and factors such as prolonged power outages.
He said: “Six hours of daily power cuts have eliminated 25% of farmers’ access to water. In my opinion, the damage to farmers is even greater than this.”
Large-Scale Farmers’ Protests in Iran Against the Policy of Drying Up the Zayandeh Rud RiverHashemi added: “This year, we will reach 7.5 million tons of wheat production. Under these circumstances, the country needs to import 5 million tons of wheat, which is a terrifying figure.” In recent days, frequent water and power cuts have caused widespread problems for citizens, affecting daily life, the industrial sector, and economic activities. Officials of Iran’s regime call on people to save and adjust consumption patterns, while they have been unable to resolve the structural and managerial crises in the water and electricity sectors, and are now resorting to shutting down entire provinces as a temporary measure to prevent further deterioration of the situation. Other countries refrain from selling grade-one wheat to Iran The head of the National Wheat Farmers Foundation, continuing his interview, reported that 12.5 million tons of wheat were purchased under guaranteed procurement last year, but said that other countries mostly do not sell grade-one wheat to Iran. According to Hashemi, much of the imported wheat is of grade two or three quality, and sometimes it is not even suitable “for human consumption.” He pointed to the challenges facing wheat imports, including the issue of securing foreign currency, and added: “Other problems are where to buy it from, how to buy it, how it will be transported, and whether they will even sell us wheat at all.” Hashemi had also reported in late May that farmers’ water pumps, each worth 3 billion rials, were burning out due to constant power outages. In early May, Aliqoli Imani, CEO of the National Wheat Farmers Foundation, warned that production of essential crops would decrease by 30% if the electricity supply to agricultural wells were cut off. In recent weeks, as Iran’s water and electricity crisis has intensified, public protests and expert criticisms have escalated. On August 5, industrial activists warned that with the widespread power outages imposed since May, steel production this year is expected to decline by 33%. Earlier, Vahid Yaghoubi, a member of the Iranian Steel Producers Association, had said that since late April, almost all steel production units have been shut down.
Protests Continue Over Frequent Power Outages in Iran with A Gathering in Babolsar
A group of Babolsar residents gathered early on Sunday, August 10, to protest long power outages in the city. This protest in Babolsar is the latest example of such demonstrations.
Videos and reports circulated on social media show protesters in Babolsar gathering in front of the local electricity office in Mazandaran province. Earlier, residents of Fereydunkenar, a neighboring city to Babolsar, had also held a similar protest.
In addition to Mazandaran, gatherings have also taken place in Gilan province—in Rasht, Khomam, and Khoshkebijar—to protest the power outages.
The Ongoing Electricity Crisis in IranProtest gatherings in Iran began in late July in Sabzevar, the second-largest city in Razavi Khorasan province, and have since spread to other cities and counties.
Parliament’s stance on protests over water and electricity outages
Following the protests in Babolsar and Fereydunkenar, the state-run IRNA news agency wrote about the frequent electricity cuts in Mazandaran province: “The people of Mazandaran, like other compatriots, have adapted themselves to the scheduled outages announced by the provincial electricity distribution company, enduring two- and even four-hour daily blackouts.” Meanwhile, on Saturday, August 9, Esmaeil Hosseini, spokesperson for the Energy Commission of Iran’s regime parliament, referred to citizens’ protests over water and electricity shortages, saying: “The most important issue the enemy focuses on is dissatisfaction, and one of the ways it seeks to create dissatisfaction is through the energy sector.” Despite this warning from the Energy Commission member, Vahid Ahmadi, a member of the regime parliament’s National Security Commission, told the state-run Didban Iran website that while various crises such as water shortages or lack of energy may exist, “if proper management is applied, there is not much to worry about.” He added, “Despite the problems with water and electricity, we are still prepared to enter another war.”Water And Electricity Supply Crisis; Efforts for the Rapid Transfer of Water to TehranHowever, on Sunday, Massoud Pezeshkian, president of Iran’s regime, warned of a 40% decrease in rainfall across the country, saying Iran is facing a “serious and unimaginable” water resources crisis. In a meeting with managers and media representatives, he emphasized that unplanned development has led to “having no water under our feet and none behind the dams.” Pezeshkian said: “Today we are in a state of compulsion and have no choice; we cannot avoid cutting water supplies.”
Power outage program for embassies
Meanwhile, the state-run Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported on Sunday, August 10, that power had been cut to three embassies in Tehran. The issue of embassy electricity consumption has been raised by the regime’s official media since last year. In July 2024, reports emerged of high electricity consumption by certain embassies in Tehran. At that time, Fars reported that the highest electricity consumption among diplomatic premises was linked to a garden house belonging to one of the embassies—a claim later attributed by the state-run Qods newspaper to the British Embassy Garden. In winter 2024, some media outlets named embassies of countries such as the Netherlands and Italy in Tehran, accusing their diplomatic premises of cryptocurrency mining. Finally, in June 2025, electricity tariffs for embassies were increased. Embassy electricity consumption in Tehran does not appear to have a significant impact on the country’s total electricity usage. However, whenever public dissatisfaction over frequent power outages rises, the issue of embassy electricity consumption is raised by the regime’s official media.Iran’s Regime Extends Prison Sentence of Two Elite Students Under New Made-Up Charges
Mostafa Nili, a lawyer, announced that new prison sentences have been issued for Amirhossein Moradi and Ali Younesi, two imprisoned elite students, on charges of “propaganda against the state” and “supporting Israel.”
On Saturday, August 9, Nili wrote on the social media platform X that Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced Moradi and Younesi to 15 months in prison on the charge of “propaganda activities against the state.”
According to the lawyer, in another case against Younesi, the Iranian regime’s judiciary sentenced him to five years in Kerman Prison on the charge of “endorsing and supporting” Israel.
Amirhossein Moradi And Ali Younesi on Mahsa’s Anniversary: A Spark Can Ignite The “Uprising Until Khamenei’s Overthrow”Nili added: “As an additional punishment, Mr. Ali Younesi is banned from using any virtual platforms or making phone calls outside the prison, except in urgent cases under the direct supervision of the prison warden, during his prison term.” Ali Younesi’s brother says the reason for his brother’s sentence was a “false” report by Hedayatollah Farzadi, the warden of Evin Prison, claiming that after the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel, Younesi distributed sweets. According to Reza Younesi, the sit-in and protest by prisoners following the execution of Mojahed Korkor was another incident cited in the Evin warden’s report as the basis for the new ruling against Ali Younesi. Mojahed Korkor was a protester from Izeh whom the Iranian regime executed at dawn on Wednesday, June 11. Following this, political prisoners in Ward 4 of Evin Prison, including Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi, staged a sit-in in protest. This is not the first time the Iranian regime has accused citizens of “supporting Israel.” Following the 12-day war and ceasefire between the Iranian regime and Israel, hundreds of citizens in Iran have faced fabricated cases by security and judicial bodies, putting them at risk of harsh sentences such as execution and imprisonment. On August 9, the Iranian regime’s judiciary spokesperson identified 20 citizens arrested after the recent war as “espionage agents and supporters of Mossad” and said their cases are under review. The new prison sentences for Younesi and Moradi come as they have already been imprisoned for more than five years. These two elite students, arrested in 2020, were only 19 years old at the time of their detention. Younesi, born on March 4, 2001, is a computer science student at Sharif University of Technology and the winner of a gold medal in the 2018 International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in Beijing, China. Together with the Iranian team, he won first place globally by earning five gold medals in the 12th edition of the competition. Moradi, born on February 19, 2001, is another student at Sharif University and the holder of a silver medal in Iran’s National Astronomy Olympiad in 2017.
PMOI Supporters Given Double Death Sentences by Iran’s RegimeIn May 2020, then-judiciary spokesperson Gholamhossein Esmaili accused the two students of having ties with “anti-regime groups,” including the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). He also claimed that “explosives were found” in their homes — an allegation strongly denied by Younesi, Moradi, their families, and people close to them. After nearly two years of interrogation and pressure to obtain televised confessions, in May 2022, the Revolutionary Court sentenced Younesi and Moradi to 16 years in prison on “national security-related charges.”
