The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Ministry of Intelligence, and the Law Enforcement Force have announced the arrest of dozens and in some cases hundreds of citizens in various provinces; arrests that are increasing simultaneously with the war and restrictions on information dissemination.
Iran Human Rights Society, Sunday 5 April 2026 – Simultaneously with the continuation of the war and military conflicts in the region, the security institutions of the ruling dictatorship in Iran have announced a widespread wave of arrests of citizens in various provinces. According to official statements from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Ministry of Intelligence, and the Law Enforcement Force, the arrested individuals have been detained on charges such as “connection with foreign media”, “espionage”, “sending information”, and “acting against the country’s security”. These arrests are taking place while the country is in a state of war, and many observers believe that the war has turned into a cover for intensifying the security atmosphere and internal suppression.
Arrests in Various Provinces
According to the statement of the Ansar al-Mahdi Corps of Zanjan Province, five people have been arrested in this province on charges of connection with “hostile networks”. In this statement, citizens have been asked to report suspicious cases to security institutions. Previously, the Ministry of Intelligence and the Law Enforcement Force had also warned in statements that they would deal severely with individuals who, according to them, cooperate with the “enemy”.
In Khuzestan Province as well, the Law Enforcement Intelligence Organization has announced the arrest of 138 people within 72 hours. According to this report, these individuals have been arrested on charges of connection with foreign media and sending images and information from sensitive centers.
In Tabriz as well, the Law Enforcement Force has announced the arrest of 10 people and stated that some of them had taken and sent photos and videos from the locations of security forces and bombed areas. In Markazi Province as well, the intelligence organization of this province has announced the arrest of 65 people on charges of connection with “opposition networks”.
Also in Kerman Province, the manager of an active group in virtual space along with seven other people have been arrested. The charges against these individuals have been stated as “publishing false content”, “creating concern in society”, and “supporting Israel”.
Arrests in West Azerbaijan
The Ministry of Intelligence has also announced the discovery of a shipment of telecommunications equipment and the arrest of several people in West Azerbaijan. In this statement, it has been announced that a shipment of telecommunications equipment with espionage application has been discovered and eight members of separatist groups and one “spy” have been arrested.
According to this statement, some of the arrested individuals have been charged with sending the coordinates of the locations of military forces. These individuals were arrested in the cities of Piranshahr, Urmia, and Oshnavieh.
War and Intensification of Security Atmosphere
This wave of arrests is taking place while the country is in a state of war, and many analysts believe that in war conditions, the security atmosphere inside the country intensifies. Internet restrictions, severe control of information, and increase in arrests are mentioned as signs of this situation.
Some observers believe that simultaneously with the war, pressure on citizens, civil activists, social network users, and individuals who publish information or images has increased. According to them, in such conditions, the boundary between information dissemination and security charges becomes very ambiguous, and this very issue has caused increased concerns about the situation of the detainees.
Intensification of Judicial Action
Alongside the wave of arrests, judicial officials have also announced severe action against the accused. According to statements from judicial officials, cases with heavy charges have been opened for some of the detainees, and requests for heavy punishments have been raised for some of them.
This issue has increased concerns about the situation of the detainees, because in some cases charges such as “espionage” or “cooperation with the enemy” can lead to the issuance of heavy sentences.
Arrest as a Tool for Internal Control
Political analysts believe that in wartime conditions, governments usually increase internal control and intensify the security atmosphere. In such conditions, arrests can turn into a tool for controlling society and preventing the formation of protests.
With the continuation of the war and the increase in economic and social pressures, concerns about the increase in social discontent have also increased, and for this reason, many observers believe that the wave of arrests may be carried out with the aim of controlling the internal atmosphere.
Violation of Human Rights with Blind and Unregulated Arrests
The increase in the wave of arrests, holding detainees in unknown locations, restriction of access to a lawyer, broadcasting of television confessions, and holding trials in non-public conditions are among the cases that are raised by human rights institutions as violations of human rights. According to legal principles, every arrested person must enjoy the right to access a lawyer, to be informed of the charge, to contact family, and to a fair trial. However, in wartime conditions and restrictions on information dissemination, concerns about the observance of these rights have increased.
- Violation of the right to liberty and personal security – Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Widespread arrest of citizens without presenting a judicial warrant, holding in unknown detention centers, and deprivation of contact with family is considered a violation of the right to liberty and personal security.
- Violation of fair trial – Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Depriving detainees of access to a lawyer, holding non-public trials, and issuing verdicts based on security reports is a violation of the right to a fair trial and impartial proceedings.
- Violation of the principle of presumption of innocence – Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Broadcasting forced confessions and introducing detainees as “criminals” before holding a trial is considered a violation of the principle of presumption of innocence and the rights of the accused.
- Violation of freedom of expression – Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Arresting citizens for sending news, images, or connection with media is a violation of the right to freedom of expression and access to information.
The widespread wave of arrests in various cities of Iran continues while the country is in a state of war. Official statements report the arrest of dozens and in some cases hundreds of people in various provinces. Simultaneously, internet restrictions, the security atmosphere, and severe judicial actions have also increased.
In such conditions, concerns about the situation of the detainees, the process of handling cases, and the possibility of issuing heavy sentences have increased. Many observers believe that the continuation of this trend can make the internal atmosphere of the country even more securitized and expose the human rights situation to more serious challenges.
See also the below articles:
- Execution of Two Political Prisoners Mohammad Amin Biglari and Shahin Vahedparast in a Highly Ambiguous Case
- Execution of Vahid Bani Amrian and Abolhassan Montazer: Wave of Executions Demands Global Action
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