Global (Commonwealth Union) _ As tensions linger in the aftermath of the conflict that escalated with the June 13 airstrikes, Iranian authorities have shifted their focus inward, conducting an intense military crackdown that brought on mass arrests, executions, and an increased number of military deployments, mainly carried out across Kurdish regions.
The response, according to Iranian officials and rights groups, promptly followed the military campaign initiated by Israel that targeted nuclear infrastructure, Revolutionary Guards, and internal security units. In the days following, Iran’s security forces launched a series of arrests and increased checkpoints, phone inspections, and document checks, intensifying street presence, with senior officials stating that their current concern lies in pre-empting internal unrest, particularly in areas with historic records of resistance, such as Baluchistan and Kurdistan.
According to a senior security official, both the Revolutionary Guard and Basij paramilitary units are now on high alert, with troops reportedly being deployed to the Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Iraq borders in order to monitor potential infiltration attempts made by “terrorist elements”.
A senior government official reportedly confirmed the government’s priority towards neutralising all apparent threats, including those posed by ethnic separatists, Israeli agents, and an exiled group with a record of escalating previous attacks within the nation—People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK).
Human rights activists have addressed the tense atmosphere, with an activist in Tehran who spoke to Reuters stating that activists are “being extremely cautious right now because there’s a real concern the regime might use this situation as a pretext”. The activist who has reportedly been arrested during a 2022 mass protest also mentioned that several individuals have already been arrested or warned against expressing disagreement.
According to reports by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRNA), 705 individuals have been detained since mid-June based on charges related to either politics or security. In addition, the state media has also confirmed the three individuals being executed in Urmia on Thursday. Hengaw, a Kurdish rights group, reported that all three executed individuals were part of the Kurdish minority.
Meanwhile, opposition groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan reported the detainment of members, with military checkpoints being established across the area. Authorities have also reportedly initiated evacuations and road diversions in cities like Kermanshah and Sanandaj for military reinforcements.
