IRAN - Report on the first week of the Iran- Israel war

IRAN - Report on the first week of the Iran- Israel war

June 20, 2025:

June 20, 2025 - IRAN. Hengaw special report on the first week of the Iran- Israel war: At least 322 arrested, including one European citizen

According to information gathered by Hengaw, at least 322 people have been arrested by Iranian security forces across various cities during the first week of the ongoing war between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel. This sweeping wave of detentions reflects a significant escalation in state repression.
Those arrested have been accused of charges such as "espionage for Israel," "propaganda against the state," and "spreading public unrest." Among the detainees are at least 30 women, two Afghan nationals, and one European citizen.
Breakdown of arrests by province
Data collected by Hengaw’s Statistics and Documentation Center shows that the highest number of arrests occurred in Tehran Province (60 cases), followed by Lorestan (39) and Hamedan (30).
Hengaw has documented the arrest of at least 31 women.
Furthermore, a previous Hengaw report confirmed that 18 girls under the age of 18 were detained in Mahabad for their social media activity and later released on bail. These numbers highlight the disproportionate targeting of Kurdish women, who account for 25 of the total female detainees.
These arrests are part of a broader pattern of repression that violates freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, disproportionately affecting women and ethnic/national minorities.
Following earlier threats, both the Ministry of Intelligence and the Judiciary have imposed strict restrictions and ordered the swift prosecution of detainees. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has also issued a statement warning that any action perceived as support for Israel will be met with the severest punishment.
In line with this approach, the Iranian Parliament has passed an emergency double-urgency bill aimed at increasing penalties for those allegedly cooperating with foreign governments.
Hengaw views these developments as part of a systematic and institutionalized campaign of repression that undermines due process, accelerates arbitrary sentencing, and potentially paves the way for extrajudicial executions.
Amid the ongoing conflict, the Judiciary in Kurdistan Province announced that any expression of joy over the Iran-Israel war on social media is a punishable offense. Hengaw previously reported that the judiciary has sent SMS warnings to residents, threatening legal action for "celebrating or inciting unrest."
Hengaw strongly condemns this wave of arbitrary arrests and emphasizes that the Islamic Republic of Iran is using security-related accusations to silence dissent and curtail fundamental freedoms. The organization calls on international human rights bodies to take urgent action and ensure independent oversight of the treatment and legal status of all detainees.

https://hengaw.net/en/reports-and-statistics-1/2025/06/article-8