HRANA – Amid ongoing military clashes and an increasingly securitized climate across the country, domestic media have reported the arrest of 71 citizens in various parts of Iran, including Shahrud, Yazd, Jam, and the provinces of Hormozgan and Razavi Khorasan. Authorities have accused them of “espionage” and providing information to foreign media outlets.
At the same time, a video purportedly showing the forced confession of one of the detainees has been circulated, though the circumstances under which it was recorded remain unclear. Separately, the police commander of Yazd Province announced that 59 websites and individuals involved in selling VPN services have been identified.
According to Hamshahri Newspaper, two citizens were arrested in Shahrud. The police commander of Semnan Province claimed in this regard that these individuals had been collecting information as part of targeted activities and providing it to foreign networks and media outlets. During their arrest, several prohibited items as well as communication and technical equipment were reportedly discovered and confiscated.
Meanwhile, the Tasnim news agency reported the arrest of another citizen in connection with the same allegations in Yazd. At the same time, a video of this citizen’s forced confession was released, though the conditions under which it was recorded remain unknown.
Another report by Tasnim states that 55 citizens in Hormozgan Province were arrested in connection with what authorities described as “cooperation with foreign countries.”
The Fars news agency also reported the arrest of 10 individuals in Razavi Khorasan Province, claiming that four of them had been gathering information and the locations of sensitive sites and economic infrastructure for espionage purposes. It also alleged that a three-person cell among those arrested had been planning field operations “under the guidance of a liaison from a monarchist group and with organized financial and media support.”
Additionally, three citizens in Jam County were arrested for what authorities described as “sending images of bombing sites to foreign media outlets.”
Furthermore, according to Mehr, the police commander of Yazd Province announced that “59 websites and individuals selling VPN services have been identified.” The report did not provide information regarding judicial or security actions taken against them.
These reports did not disclose the identities of those arrested or the locations where they are being held.
Since February 28, Iranian territory has been targeted by military attacks by Israel and the United States. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s report on the seventeenth day after the start of these attacks, which was published last night.
