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Rome Summit: Regime Change by the People Seen as Key to a Free Iran

Sia Rajabi
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Rome Summit: Regime Change by the People Seen as Key to a Free Iran

On July 31, 2025, the Free Iran World Summit convened in Rome, uniting prominent political figures from Europe and the U.S. to address the deepening crisis in Iran. The summit was held shortly after the Iranian regime executed Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani, members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Their sacrifice became a central theme, symbolizing the regime’s growing desperation and the resilience of its opposition.

Speakers condemned the regime’s brutality and emphasized its increasing reliance on repression. A consensus emerged around the “Third Option”—a strategy rejecting both foreign intervention and appeasement in favor of regime change by the Iranian people and their organized resistance.

Maryam Rajavi: A Clear Vision for a Democratic Iran

Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), delivered the keynote, describing the recent executions as acts of fear, not strength. She emphasized the regime’s weakness and presented a roadmap for a secular, democratic, and non-nuclear republic.

Rajavi denounced the regime’s history of crisis generation—from war to terrorism—and stressed that the current crisis is one of overthrow. She declared the only viable solution is the removal of the regime by the people and their resistance, arguing that it would ensure peace in the region.

Firmly rejecting both clerical and monarchic dictatorships, Rajavi reiterated that the future lies not in returning to the past but in advancing toward a free and democratic Iran. She emphasized that the NCRI offers an organized alternative, committed to transferring sovereignty to the people through free elections.

Human Rights Abuses Under Global Scrutiny

Human rights abuses dominated much of the discussion. Stephen Rapp, former U.S. Ambassador, noted that Iran had carried out 700 executions in the first half of 2025, citing sham trials and torture-based confessions.

Professor Javaid Rehman, former UN Special Rapporteur, condemned the secret executions of Hassani and Ehsani and warned of the regime’s potential for repeating the 1988 massacre, when 30,000 political prisoners were killed. He cited a July 7 editorial from Fars News, affiliated with the IRGC, that called the massacre a “successful experience,” a chilling sign of intent.

Charles Michel, former President of the European Council, echoed the warning, calling for immediate international action. Nazli Afshar, a young Iranian-Italian, spoke emotionally of her uncle, executed during the 1988 massacre, highlighting the intergenerational trauma inflicted by the regime.

Support for the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan

International figures praised NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan as a viable blueprint for Iran’s future. Former Italian PM Matteo Renzi affirmed that “regime change by the people of Iran and their Resistance” is the only way forward.

Charles Michel labeled appeasement as “complicity,” calling the NCRI a democratic alternative and the Ten-Point Plan a foundation for a free republic. Former U.S. Ambassador Carla Sands and Italian economist Carlo Cottarelli also endorsed the plan, highlighting its commitment to gender equality, secularism, and a non-nuclear Iran.

The Resistance Units Inside Iran

Key attention was given to the PMOI’s Resistance Units operating inside Iran. Andrin Mohseni, a young Iranian from Switzerland, saluted their bravery in confronting state repression. These activists, he said, break the “barriers of fear” and keep the flame of resistance alive.

Hans Ulrich Seidt, former German ambassador, described the Resistance Units as essential to undermining the regime from within, demonstrating that the opposition is both domestic and legitimate.

Exposing the Regime’s Propaganda

The summit also addressed the regime’s campaign to demonize the resistance. Ingrid Betancourt, former Colombian senator, spoke of her own experience with disinformation after supporting the PMOI. She argued the regime labels the resistance a “cult” to discredit a credible alternative.

Charles Michel emphasized that the regime’s obsession with attacking the opposition proves its effectiveness and threat to its survival. Samira Ardalani noted that the regime attempts to tarnish the image of executed dissidents to avoid international backlash.

Rejection of Monarchy and Call to Designate IRGC

A strong stance was taken against restoring the monarchy. Senator Giulio Terzi, former Italian foreign minister, and Linda Chavez, former U.S. official, firmly opposed any return to Shah-era repression. Rudy Giuliani bluntly referred to the Shah’s son as the “son of a mass murderer,” arguing Iran deserves a true democratic republic.

Speakers also called for the IRGC to be designated as a terrorist organization. Senator Terzi urged European governments to act, framing it as a key demand alongside recognizing the right to resist.

Final Message: The Future Belongs to the Iranian People

The Rome Summit concluded with a unified message: the Iranian regime is in its final phase, and only the people of Iran can determine its future. Former UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly summed it up: leadership must come from within, not be imposed.

The call was clear—no to war, no to appeasement, and yes to supporting the Iranian people and their organized resistance as they fight for freedom, democracy, and sovereignty.

Industry Struggles and Public Anger Grow Amid Water and Power Crisis in Iran

Mehdi Hosseini
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Industry Struggles and Public Anger Grow Amid Water and Power Crisis in Iran

As the water and electricity crisis continues across the country, concerns are growing about its impact on the daily lives of citizens and the operations of production and industrial units. Criticism of the government of Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian regime’s president, has intensified due to its failure to contain the crisis.

The state-run newspaper Ham-Mihan reported on Thursday, July 31, that the rationing and increased restrictions on water allocation to the industrial sector—intended to prioritize household needs—have fueled widespread concerns over the economic and social consequences of this approach.

Water Crisis in Iran: An Uncertain Future

The report stated: “Many industries and some refineries are facing shortages in water and electricity, which could lead to higher prices or even scarcity of energy products such as gasoline.”

The state-run ILNA news agency also reported on July 31 about the “slowing of production due to power outages.”

Mohammad Hamidi, secretary of the Electrical Engineering Companies Association of Golestan province, warned in an interview with ILNA that repeated power outages could lead to “reduced production, declining income, and eventually layoffs and worker unemployment.”

He added that the current crisis has “caused serious problems for the people, farmers, and producers, because in today’s world, electricity is not only a basic commodity but also the lifeline of the economy and the most essential element of daily life.”

Pezeshkian Admits to a Severe Water Crisis in the Country

In recent days, many citizens and social media users have harshly criticized the regime’s government for failing to fulfill its previous promises to resolve the electricity and water crisis.

Masoud Pezeshkian, president of the Iranian regime, acknowledged in a speech at the Water Planning Council in Zanjan on July 31: “Tomorrow, we may not have drinking water.”

He called for an “austerity approach in resource consumption, both by officials and the people,” and added: “According to university and water researchers, all regulations have increased water consumption.”

However, Pezeshkian did not clarify which institution within the regime’s power structure is responsible for implementing these reforms, nor did he indicate a timeline for resolving the water crisis if reforms are enacted.

Ahad Vazifeh, head of Iran’s National Drought Center, warned in an interview with the state-run news website Rouydad24 on July 31 of the imminent likelihood that the country could enter a state of “water misery.”

Public Protests Against Power Outages

Videos posted on social media show citizens in Golshahr (Karaj), Parand, and Shahr-e-Rey protesting repeated power outages by chanting slogans against Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Iranian regime.

In these videos, slogans such as “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator” can be heard.

Mai Sato Condemns Iran’s Amputation Sentences for Three Prisoners

Hoshang Amiri
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Mai Sato Condemns Iran’s Amputation Sentences for Three Prisoners

Mai Sato, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, posted a short message on her X (formerly Twitter) account, calling the amputation of three prisoners at Urmia prison a clear example of “violation of fundamental human rights” and strongly condemned it.

She stated: “According to received information, yesterday the amputation sentences for Messrs. Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Sharafian, and Mehdi Shahivand were carried out.”

These three prisoners had been sentenced by the court to the amputation of four fingers from their right hand. According to human rights reports, the sentence was carried out on the night of Wednesday, July 30, using a “guillotine” device in the central prison of Urmia.

This punishment was carried out in the presence of judicial officials, including the prison warden and the deputy prosecutor. After the prisoners received local anesthetic injections and underwent the amputations, they were returned to the prison intake ward with only basic bandaging and without full medical treatment.

In response to this act, Mai Sato described it as “state-sanctioned mutilation” and emphasized that corporal punishments such as amputation are “forms of torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.” She added that under international law, including Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, “they are absolutely prohibited and no exceptions are allowed.”

The three men were arrested in August 2017 on charges of “theft” and were sentenced to amputation in November 2019 by Branch One of the Criminal Court for Juveniles.

This act has triggered a wave of criticism and concern among human rights organizations and civil society activists both inside Iran and abroad.

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of Iran’s regime judiciary, announced on December 7, 2024, that despite both domestic and international pressure on the regime, the highest number of hand amputation sentences in the past three years had been carried out in Iran.

Ejei, who is regarded as one of the prominent violators of human rights in Iran, at the time described amputation as “a decree issued by God” and added that this punishment continues to be enforced in Iran despite pressure from various organizations.

The issuance and enforcement of amputation sentences in Iran are in clear contradiction with the fundamental principles of human rights, including human dignity. This is despite the fact that Iran is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights—an international treaty that explicitly prohibits cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishments.

The sentence of amputation is undoubtedly one of these types of punishments, and its implementation constitutes a direct violation of the principle of preserving human dignity—a principle that forms the foundation of many international human rights instruments.

Iran’s regime is among the few governments that continue to use amputation sentences for certain crimes and, unlike many other countries, has not joined the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Despite repeated appeals from international human rights bodies to end such punishments, Iran’s regime continues to issue and enforce sentences such as flogging and amputation of limbs—sentences that are contrary to human rights standards and a cause for serious concern within the global community.

Hunger Strike of Political Prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison Enters Sixth Day

Jubin Katiraie
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Hunger Strike of Political Prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison Enters Sixth Day

Hunger strike in solitary confinement in protest against repression and executions

The collective hunger strike by political prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison has entered its sixth day. Despite being under extremely harsh conditions and intense pressure in solitary confinement, they continue to resist the wave of executions, forced transfers, and violent repression. The hunger strike, which began on July 26, is a response to the brutal raid by special guard forces on Hall 4, the beating of inmates, their forced transfer to solitary cells, and the secret execution of two political prisoners, Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani Eslamloo.

Iran’s Regime Executes Political Prisoners Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani

These two prisoners were active supporters of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign and were accused of being members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Their death sentences were carried out without the process of a fair trial and without informing their families. Judicial officials have even refused to reveal the location of their burial—a pattern previously observed in the cases of other executed political prisoners.

79th Week of ‘No to Executions Tuesdays’ Held in 48 Prisons Following Execution of Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani

Coordinated repression aimed at breaking resistance inside the prison

According to reports, on Saturday, more than 100 security agents from the prison guard, the IRGC Intelligence Organization, and other suppression units raided the political prisoners’ ward. The inmates were shackled, blindfolded with black hoods, and transferred to solitary confinement cells. At the same time, Saeed Masouri—a prominent figure in this protest campaign—was exiled to Zahedan Prison after 25 years of incarceration.

Systematic Human Rights Violations and a Threat to Saeed Masouri’s Life After 25 Years of Imprisonment

It appears that this crackdown is part of a broader regime plan to silence the growing voice of opposition to executions within the prisons. The “No to Execution” campaign has continued for over 79 weeks in 48 prisons across the country and has now become one of the most serious protest movements within the judicial system.

Hunger strike: silent protest inside locked cells

The political prisoners of Ghezel Hesar, currently held in Unit 3 solitary cells, continue their hunger strike under extremely harsh conditions. They are deprived of family contact, medical services, fresh air, and basic human rights. According to one of their close contacts, the physical condition of some strikers has been reported as critical. However, prison officials have not only failed to take any action but are actively trying to conceal the hunger strike and censor related news.

Deadly silence from the judiciary

The regime not only refuses to respond to the protests but continues its path of repression more intensely by deliberately hiding the prisoners’ conditions, perpetuating the psychological torment of their families, and denying the legal rights of the inmates. The families of Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani have repeatedly contacted judicial authorities to learn about the fate of their loved ones but have been met with complete silence.

U.S. Imposes Largest Sanctions Package Against Iranian Regime’s Shipping Industry

Sia Rajabi
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U.S. Imposes Largest Sanctions Package Against Iranian Regime’s Shipping Industry

In what it described as the most severe wave of sanctions against Iran’s oil and shipping sectors since 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned more than 115 individuals, entities, and vessels. A significant portion of these sanctions target the shipping network operated by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, senior adviser to regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

According to the Treasury Department’s statement, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani exploited his father’s influence to establish a complex network of shell companies, vessels, and foreign passports that he used to transfer oil, petroleum products, and other cargo from Iran and Russia to global buyers—earning tens of billions of dollars annually.

The sanctions list includes companies based in the UAE, Switzerland, Turkey, Cyprus, Singapore, Panama, the Marshall Islands, Saint Vincent, and Liberia. The network uses clandestine tactics and money laundering methods to conceal its ties to Tehran and Moscow.

EU Sanctions Hossein Shamkhani: A Blow to the Oil and Weapons Network of Iran’s Regime and Russia

The U.S. State Department, via its Persian-language platform, wrote that the Shamkhani family has used black-market wealth to purchase luxury properties around the world and even acquired Dominica passports through large-scale investments to conceal their travel and connections.

In a statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Shamkhani family’s shipping empire demonstrates how regime operatives exploit their positions to amass vast wealth and finance the Iranian regime’s dangerous behavior.

Sanctions package targets 115 entities and individuals

Bessent added that the more than 115 sanctions imposed constitute the largest action since the launch of the U.S. maximum pressure campaign against Iran under President Donald Trump. These measures aim to target regime operatives who profit while Tehran continues to threaten U.S. national security—placing American interests as the top priority.

However, Iranian regime foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei condemned the sanctions as “illegal and oppressive,” claiming they are a “clear sign of U.S. hostility” and amount to “crimes against humanity” and “a blow to the welfare of the Iranian people.”

With the latest round, the number of Iranian individuals, entities, and vessels sanctioned by the United States this year has surpassed 500.

Italian Senate Majority Supports Iran’s Resistance, Urges IRGC Terror Designation and Embassy Closures

Esmaeil Mohades
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Italian Senate Majority Supports Iran’s Resistance, Urges IRGC Terror Designation and Embassy Closures

A majority of Italian Senators have issued a forceful statement denouncing Iran’s clerical regime over a sharp rise in executions, particularly of political prisoners. The declaration highlights that since President Pezeshkian assumed office ten months ago, at least 1,200 executions have been carried out. Many of those targeted, it notes, are opposition activists—especially members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). In the final months of 2024 alone, nine political prisoners affiliated with the PMOI were reportedly sentenced to death.

The statement was endorsed by a broad cross-party coalition, including one serving minister, two former ministers, Senate floor leaders, committee chairs, and numerous vice-chairs. It condemns what it describes as a systematic campaign of arbitrary arrests, torture, and politically motivated death sentences aimed at suppressing dissent. The signatories emphasize: “Standing with the Iranian people in their demand for regime change is both the correct policy and a moral imperative.”

The Senate majority expressed its support for the Ten-Point Plan put forward by Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Her proposal envisions the creation of a secular, democratic republic founded on gender equality, the abolition of the death penalty, and a non-nuclear Iran.

Calling for “concrete and decisive action” from democratic governments, the Senators stressed that backing the Iranian people’s pursuit of freedom and justice is essential to achieving long-term peace and security in the region.

  • Condemning the surge in executions, particularly of political prisoners, and calling attention to at least 1,200 executions in just ten months.
  • Backing Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for a secular, democratic, non-nuclear Iran with equal rights and abolition of the death penalty.
  • Listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in Europe, describing it as “long overdue.”
  • Closing Iranian regime embassies implicated in terrorism and repression abroad.

The statement outlines several key measures and concludes that firm international engagement is necessary placing the Iranian people, their organized resistance, and the broader demand for democratic change at the heart of any principled approach to Iran.

Macroeconomic Imbalances in Iran Reach Critical Levels

Mehdi Hosseini
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Macroeconomic Imbalances in Iran Reach Critical Levels

In recent years, Iran’s economy has faced profound challenges that can be summed up in one word: “imbalance.” These imbalances—described by some as a form of “bankruptcy”—have manifested in various sectors, from natural resources like water to energy infrastructure and financial markets.

Water Bankruptcy: A Sign of Resource Imbalance

One of the clearest signs of imbalance in Iran is the dire state of its water resources. Kaveh Madani, head of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, calls the situation not a crisis, but “water bankruptcy.” He argues that a crisis implies a solvable condition, whereas Iran has moved beyond that point and reached an irreversible state. Water rationing in some regions and the severe depletion of water sources are visible signs of this bankruptcy. It is the result of years of mismanagement of water resources, overexploitation of underground reserves, and neglect of environmental sustainability.

Iran’s Economy in Crisis: Investment Collapse and Soaring Inflation

Roots of Economic Imbalance: Delusion and Miscalculation

Vahid Shaqaqi-Shahri, a state-affiliated economist, believes that Iran’s macroeconomic imbalances stem from abandoning rationality and wisdom in governance. He argues that populist policymaking, unrealistic delusions, and detachment from economic realities—combined with decades of sanctions—have brought Iran’s economy to its current state. These imbalances have resulted from flawed policies such as price controls, preferential currency handouts, and extensive government interference in the economy. Such approaches, reminiscent of failed experiences in countries like Cuba and Venezuela, have led to a sharp decline in investment, decaying infrastructure, and depletion of resources.

The 2010s were a decade of stagflation for Iran’s economy, with an average inflation rate of 27% and economic growth below 1%.

Energy Imbalance and Its Impact on the Private Sector

One of the primary victims of Iran’s macroeconomic imbalances is the private sector, especially critical industries like steel and cement. Unprecedented power outages—which began even before the summer—have severely disrupted production in these sectors. Electricity supply to some industrial units has dropped by 80% to 90%, resulting in halted production lines and reduced work shifts. These restrictions have not only diminished productivity but have also caused serious damage to machinery and the financial structures of these units.

The energy imbalance, which in 2024 extended even into the spring, deprived industries of the opportunity to compensate for lost production during non-peak seasons. This situation, coupled with the lack of coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Mining and the Ministry of Energy, has placed the private sector under even greater pressure. For example, signed agreements intended to manage electricity restrictions have been violated, and promises of improved conditions have remained merely words.

Financial Markets and Investment Imbalance

Mehran Fathi, a capital market expert, highlights the imbalances in Iran’s financial markets. Chronic inflation—with an official rate of over 32%—and a 60% increase in the free-market exchange rate have severely reduced investors’ purchasing power. A negative real interest rate (around -10%) has rendered bank deposits unprofitable, pushing investors toward alternative markets such as gold, foreign currency, and real estate. The stock market has also underperformed, with the main index growing by only 19% to 23%, and the equal-weight index by just 7% to 9%, reflecting the gap between large export-driven corporations and smaller firms.

Gold and coins have delivered the highest returns—over 100%—but this success stems from inflationary concerns and a deep lack of trust in the national currency. The fixed-income market, too, has suffered from negative real returns and has failed to keep up with inflation.

Imbalance in the Rationality of Delusional Rulers

Iran’s macroeconomic imbalances—from water bankruptcy to energy crisis and financial market instability—are the product of years of mismanagement, destructive economic policies, and the economic irrationality of the Iranian regime’s officials. These imbalances have not only worn-down economic infrastructure but also eroded trust in policymaking and the business environment. A lack of institutional coordination, short-term decision-making, and disregard for structural reforms have brought Iran’s economy to the brink of one of its most difficult decades. These conditions—marked by chronic inflation, stagflation, and declining investment—reflect the depth of a crisis that has surfaced from the underlying layers of the economy and can no longer be concealed.

Water Crisis in Iran: An Uncertain Future

Sia Rajabi
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Water Crisis in Iran: An Uncertain Future

Iran, a country with an ancient civilization that has long struggled with water scarcity, now stands on the brink of a full-scale water crisis. This crisis is not merely the result of natural factors—it is clearly the outcome of decades of mismanagement, poor governance, and inaction at the highest levels of the regime.

While neighboring countries along the Persian Gulf—with much drier climates—have contained this crisis through investment in technology and careful planning, Iran, despite its vast oil and gas wealth and previously abundant water resources, has today turned into a mirage in the desert.

A review of Iran’s development plans over the past decades reveals that water issues, instead of being prioritized, were consistently sidelined in policymaking.

Inaction and lack of foresight regarding this vital resource have far-reaching consequences. While many countries around the world are moving toward integrated and sustainable water resource management, Iran remains mired in basic challenges such as water loss due to outdated infrastructure and an irrigation system that has not been modernized.

Agriculture, which consumes nearly 90% of the country’s water, continues to rely on traditional and inefficient methods, while serious plans for transitioning to modern, water-efficient agriculture have rarely been implemented.

The regime’s support for water-intensive industries without considering environmental concerns, or requiring them to adopt water-recycling technologies, is another example of this mismanagement.

Beyond the lack of investment in modern technologies, the absence of a national vision and long-term strategy for managing this vital resource in Iran is glaring. Short-term, fragmented decision-making without regard for long-term consequences has only worsened the crisis.

Water And Electricity Supply Crisis; Efforts for the Rapid Transfer of Water to Tehran

The absence of a strong, centralized authority capable of coordinating all stakeholders and implementing comprehensive plans is another major weakness. The division of responsibilities among numerous institutions without sufficient coordination has led to confusion and overlapping duties, effectively preventing the execution of large-scale initiatives.

Many cities across Iran experience repeated water cuts during the summer. Villages have dried up, and farmers have been forced to migrate.

This situation not only has wide-reaching economic and social consequences but also has fueled public dissatisfaction and eroded trust in the regime’s management system.

Iran’s Water Crisis Is a Crisis of Governance and Political Will

Iran’s water crisis is, more than anything, a result of mismanagement and a lack of political will rather than a natural phenomenon. Over the years, there were numerous opportunities to adopt necessary measures and invest in infrastructure and modern technologies—opportunities that were simply squandered.

In some provinces, even water transfer projects have failed due to a lack of proper technical and environmental assessments. People have taken to the streets to voice their demands, but Iran’s regime has consistently chosen repression over accountability.

Today, the people of Iran—who could have been spared this crisis through proper use of national wealth and sound management—are left chasing the illusion of water during the scorching summer. This is a bitter reminder of how incompetence and lack of foresight by a ruling system can drag a country, despite all its potential, into catastrophe.

One of the most painful images of the water crisis is that of people standing in long lines for water under the blazing summer sun—citizens of a country rich in energy resources but deprived of their most basic need.

This contradiction can only be explained by the words “incompetence” and “systemic corruption.” Instead of using oil revenues to build water infrastructure, Iran’s regime has funneled them into regional interventions, domestic repression, and institutionalized corruption.

Ongoing Repression of Imprisoned Iranian Students: New Court Session for Ali Younesi

Esmaeil Mohades
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Ongoing Repression of Imprisoned Iranian Students: New Court Session for Ali Younesi

On Monday, July 28, a new court session was held for Ali Younesi, a top student from Sharif University of Technology, as part of a renewed case against him. This session followed an initial hearing on July 20 targeting him and fellow student Amirhossein Moradi, where both were once again prosecuted on charges of “propaganda against the regime”—this time in Younesi’s absence.

Younesi was absent from the first session due to the unknown location of his detention. His absence and the complete lack of information about his condition deepened the concerns of his family and Iran’s academic community.

Over a Month of Silence After Ali Younesi’s Enforced Disappearance from Evin

Ali Younesi’s sister, Aida Younesi, wrote the following on her X (formerly Twitter) account:

“After three months of waiting and not knowing, my mother was finally able to see Ali. They brought him from Qom Prison to the Revolutionary Court. From the day Ali was abducted from Ward 4 of Evin and taken to solitary confinement, to after the bombing and his transfer to Greater Tehran Prison, and finally his exile to Qom Prison, my parents have spent every moment in anxiety and silence.”

Government abduction and torture of top students

According to received reports, about a month ago Ali Younesi was suddenly and without prior notice transferred from Greater Tehran Prison to Qom Prison. His mother, after three months without any news, was finally able to visit him—but received no reassuring answers regarding his health.

Meanwhile, Amirhossein Moradi was transferred to Greater Tehran Prison after parts of Evin Prison were damaged. In last week’s hearing, Moradi appeared in Branch 29 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mazloumi, while handcuffed and shackled.

Both students—Younesi and Moradi—were violently arrested in 2020 and subjected to months of torture and pressure in solitary confinement in Ward 209. Younesi is a computer science student and a gold medalist in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad; Moradi is a physics Olympiad medalist.

Under similar circumstances, Saeed Masouri, another prominent political prisoner, was suddenly exiled to Zahedan Prison—an action taken in a climate of opacity that has left families in deeper confusion.

Sources report that on July 26, the special guard unit stormed the political prisoners’ ward of Ghezel Hesar Prison. Following the assault, prisoners were violently beaten, handcuffed and shackled, and transferred to solitary confinement or unknown locations. All contact with families was severed, and visitation rights were suspended.

In this context, families who went to the prison on July 28 for visitation were met with closed gates and silence from officials. No information has been provided about the prisoners’ whereabouts, physical health, or legal status.

In response to the executions at Ghezel Hesar Prison, international analysts and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and the United Nations have called for the immediate halt of executions, resumption of visitation and phone contact, and an end to the current wave of repression.

They have demanded serious action against political executions, disruptions in legal proceedings, and diplomatic pressure on Iran’s regime to uphold the rights of prisoners.

Systematic Human Rights Violations and a Threat to Saeed Masouri’s Life After 25 Years of Imprisonment

Mehdi Hosseini
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Systematic Human Rights Violations and a Threat to Saeed Masouri’s Life After 25 Years of Imprisonment

On the morning of Sunday, July 27, Saeed Masouri—the longest-held political prisoner in Iran’s regime prisons—was suddenly exiled from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj to Zahedan Prison, one of the most deprived and dangerous facilities in the country, without any legal warrant. His family has described the move as “punitive and deliberate” and voiced grave concern for his life and well-being.

Sudden Transfer Without Judicial Order

According to reports from inside the prison, the transfer was carried out in the early morning hours without prior notice, by security agents who presented no judicial documentation. A similar attempt in previous weeks had failed due to Masouri’s resistance and support from his fellow inmates.

“A Crime is in Progress”: A Letter from Political Prisoner Saeed Masouri Exposing the Iranian Regime’s Plans

Earlier, on June 15, Ministry of Intelligence agents had also attempted to move this political prisoner to an undisclosed location but were forced to retreat after protests from other prisoners.

Opposition to Executions: A Catalyst for Increased Pressure

In June, Saeed Masouri released a letter from prison in which he strongly condemned the issuance and implementation of death sentences, particularly against political prisoners. Many human rights observers believe that this stance led to increased pressure and punitive measures, such as his exile far from his family.

Following his exile, Saeed Masouri’s family released the following statement:

Exile of Saeed Masouri to Zahedan Prison: A Punitive Transfer After 25 Years in Prison

Saeed Masouri, a political prisoner who has spent more than 25 years in Iranian regime prisons, was exiled to Zahedan Prison without any prior notice or legal warrant. This abrupt action by security agencies comes after years of his detention in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, near which his family had settled to facilitate visitation.

Exile to Zahedan—a prison known for its deprivation and danger—is clearly an act of increasing psychological and physical abuse of this political prisoner and his family. This transfer not only endangers his basic rights to visitation, medical care, and safety, but is part of a prolonged campaign of deliberate deprivation of his fundamental human rights.

His exile to Zahedan poses a serious threat to his health and safety, and must be met with an urgent response from international human rights organizations.

25 Years Without Furlough: Intensified Deprivation for a Political Prisoner

Saeed Masouri has been imprisoned since 2000. Over these years, he has been denied the right to furlough, open communication, and proper medical care. He has repeatedly faced psychological torture, repeated interrogations, punitive transfers, and solitary confinement.

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