Tag: brutal crackdown

Day 43 of the Protests: Pressure and Threats on Universities and Political Activists

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Khanpour, Azar Mansouri, brutal crackdown, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, HRANA, iran protests, Kasra Amini, Mohsen Aminzadeh, Mohseni Eje’i, Sohrab Assareh

HRANA – Based on HRANA’s latest aggregated data through the end of the forty-third day since the start of the protests, a total of 675 protest locations have been recorded across 210 cities and 31 provinces. According to these figures, the total number of confirmed fatalities stands at 6,961, of whom 6,476 have been registered as “protesters.” Among the deceased, 207 are reported to be children under the age of 18. Additionally, 214 individuals affiliated with the government and 64 categorized as “non-protester civilians” have been reported killed. The number of cases listed as “under review” has been announced as 11,730.

During the same period, the number of civilian injuries reached 11,022, the total number of arrests was recorded at 51,591, 120 students were arrested, 331 cases of forced confessions were documented, and 11,050 summonses were issued.

Reports from the forty-first day indicate a continued and expanding wave of security and judicial crackdowns targeting protesters and their supporters, spanning universities, political figures, and ordinary citizens across multiple cities. At the same time, official rhetoric remained overtly threatening, from statements by the Golestan prosecutor on identifying property and pursuing compensation for damages, to sharp attacks by the head of the judiciary and several members of parliament against the authors of recent statements.

Other reports increasingly underscored the human and medical toll of the protests. These included accounts of injured individuals delaying treatment out of fear, the Medical Council Organization’s announcement of 25,000 visits to medical facilities, and renewed emphasis on the killing of a significant number of students during the unrest. Meanwhile, the situation of children and school students once again drew attention, following the publication of victims’ names and official acknowledgment that individuals under the age of 18 continue to be held in detention.

Student Arrests and the Ongoing Restriction of the Academic Environment

As part of continued arrests linked to the protests, three students were arrested in Tehran: Sohrab Assareh, Kasra Amini, and Ali Khanpour. The inclusion of these names, alongside the cumulative figure of 120 student arrests, underscores that the campaign of pressure against universities has not abated and has, in certain locations, escalated.

Reports have also emerged of the continued detention and prolonged uncertainty facing some students. Among these is the case of Yousef Yousefi (a student at K. N. Toosi University of Technology), who is reported to remain in detention after weeks and has been deprived of access to classes and examinations. This pattern, arrest, prolonged uncertainty, and denial of education, when viewed alongside the high number of summonses and forced confessions, reflects the growing securitization of universities. In this environment, student participation in protests, or even symbolic expressions of support, can result in arrest and the opening of legal cases.

Crackdowns Extend into the Political Sphere

Reports also point to the arrest of political figures. Among those named are Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh. These arrests come amid recent reports of the summoning and detention of signatories and supporters of critical statements. The inclusion of well-known political figures now signals a clearer expansion of the crackdown into the political arena.

In the same vein, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and several members of parliament have also directed attacks against the authors of recent statements. The language used in these positions has largely centered on accusations, political threats, and efforts to delegitimize critics, raising concerns about the potential escalation of judicial pressure, further summonses, and the opening of new cases against signatories and those associated with them. These attacks alongside the reported arrests suggests that state measures have moved beyond controlling street protests and toward tightening control over the broader public and political space.

Remarks by the Golestan Prosecutor on Identifying Property

One important development on the forty-third day was the Golestan prosecutor’s remarks regarding the identification of defendants’ property and the pursuit of “compensation for damages.” Raising such issues signals that the authorities’ approach is not limited to arrest and conviction alone, but may extend toward financial pressure, asset-focused measures, and the imposition of economic costs on protesters and their families.

Such statements, particularly when viewed alongside numerous reports of widespread summonses and forced confessions, present a picture of a “combined deterrence” policy, in which judicial threats are coupled with economic and social tools. Under this approach, the impact of repression extends beyond the detained individual to encompass their family and broader social environment.

Remarks by the Vice President for Executive Affairs

At the government level, the Vice President for Executive Affairs referred to survey results indicating widespread public dissatisfaction, noting especially low levels of satisfaction in certain provinces. These remarks come at a time when arrests and security crackdowns continue on the ground.

The acknowledgment of widespread dissatisfaction alongside the continued repression indicates that the government is seeking to manage public opinion. In this official narrative, public discontent is merely noted, without any reference to its underlying causes or to the violent suppression of protests.

“Students Among the Victims”: Health Ministry Official on the Killing of Students

Continuing official statements, the Deputy for Cultural and Student Affairs at the Ministry of Health reported that nearly 100 students have been killed during the protests and also referred to the ongoing detention of a number of students. The significance of these remarks lies in the fact that, when viewed alongside HRANA’s data, including the rise in student arrests to 120 cases, they once again underscore that the student community has been among the primary groups bearing the human and security costs of the protests.

This situation underscores two key dynamics: the active participation of students in the protests, and the transformation of universities into major focal points of security crackdowns, marked by scattered arrests, denial of access to education, and various forms of informal pressure.

“Children Under 18 in Detention”: Justice Minister’s Admission and Rising Concerns

On the forty-third day, the issue of children and adolescents once again came to the forefront. The Minister of Justice acknowledged the detention of children under the age of 18, stating that some remain in custody for the purpose of “investigations.” These remarks come amid HRANA data documenting 207 child fatalities, alongside continued reports of teenagers being arrested and held in designated detention facilities.

The official acknowledgment of this issue, combined with a lack of transparency regarding the location of detention, health conditions, access to family members and legal counsel, and the duration of detention, has intensified concerns over the fate of detained minors. This is particularly alarming given that the continuation of detention under the pretext of “completing investigations” can, in practice, lead to prolonged and exhausting periods of detention.

“List of Deceased Schoolchildren”: Teachers’ Statement and the Documentation of Names

Today, the Coordinating Council of Teachers’ Trade Associations announced in a statement that at least 200 school students have been killed, publishing a list of their names. The release of this list, going beyond a mere statistic, amounts to the formal documentation of identities, transforming victims from numbers into named individuals. Such an act can increase social pressure for accountability regarding the scope of the crackdown and the resolution of these cases.

Alongside this statement, HRANA’s data also indicate that children make up a significant proportion of confirmed fatalities. The convergence of these figures with official acknowledgment of the detention of individuals under the age of 18 presents a picture of the crisis extending into the realm of childhood and schools, an arena that under normal circumstances should remain insulated from security measures, but has now become one of the protest movement’s most sensitive fault lines.

“Fear of Seeking Treatment”: Reports of Delayed Medical Care and Severe Consequences

Reports indicate that some injured individuals delay or altogether avoid seeking medical care due to fear of arrest, summonses, or other security repercussions. According to these accounts, such delays have, in some cases, resulted in serious consequences, including blindness, permanent disability, risk of amputation, and even death.

These reports demonstrate that the prevailing security climate has extended its impact to the realm of medical treatment itself, effectively increasing the human cost of the protests. When the injured fear presenting at hospitals, the documentation and treatment of injuries become more difficult, and the likelihood of timely and effective medical intervention is significantly reduced.

“25,000 Medical Visits”: Medical Council’s Remarks and the Scale of Injuries

Continuing reports from the healthcare sector, the Medical Council Organization has stated that 25,000 injured individuals sought medical treatment during the course of the protests. This figure, when viewed alongside HRANA’s data on attacks and injuries, including the registration of 11,022 civilian injuries by the end of the forty-third day, highlights the extensive scale of physical harm and the mounting strain on the healthcare system.

The presentation of these figures alongside accounts of the “fear of seeking treatment” suggests that the crisis extends beyond the sheer number of injured individuals. Issues of access to care and the safety of seeking medical treatment have themselves evolved into a secondary crisis, one with direct consequences for both families and medical personnel.

“University Notices and Suspension of Activities”: Iranian Studies Associations at the University of Tehran

Today, the Iranian studies associations at the University of Tehran also issued a notice announcing the suspension of their official and public activities. While such notices are typically framed in administrative and internal language, within the context of the prevailing security climate they can be interpreted as a sign of intensified restrictions on collective activities and tighter control over academic and cultural institutions. This is particularly notable given that, in recent weeks, reports have already emerged of pressure on university activities, the suspension of programs, and the imposition of similar limitations.

“Reactions from Sports Figures”: Symbolic Support Amid Security Costs

Alongside reports of arrests and pressure, reactions from sports figures also drew attention. According to reports, several footballers, including Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mehdi Taremi, and Ali Gholizadeh, shared messages or expressed reactions in support of the protests. In another report, Rasoul Khadem issued a statement calling for the release of Alireza Nejati (a former Greco-Roman national team wrestler), who has reportedly been arrested due to his support for the protests.

The visibility of these reactions comes amid a broader context in which athletes have previously faced pressure, summonses, or detention for expressing solidarity with the protests. As a result, each new public stance simultaneously serves as an act of symbolic support and a reminder of the significant security costs such expressions may carry.

“Other Arrests and Crackdowns”: From Detained Couples to Mass Arrests

As sporadic arrests continued across various cities, reports emerged of additional citizens being detained, including the following cases:

• Leila Nasirinia was arrested in Ramhormoz.

• Ali Siahpour, a 17-year-old teenager, was arrested in Gachsaran.

• Shehzad/Heydar Azami, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested in Semnan.

• Saeedeh Foroughifar and Mohsen Darji, a couple residing in Yasuj, were arrested and transferred to an undisclosed location.

It has also been reported that at least 43 citizens were arrested in Behbahan, of whom 26 have since been released. Such mass arrests, often accompanied by transfers to undisclosed locations and gradual, limited releases, indicate that policies of psychological attrition and social destabilization remain in effect.

At a broader level, the rise in the total number of arrests to 51,591 cases and summonses to 11,050 cases demonstrates that crackdowns continue on a wide scale. In many instances, these measures extend beyond detention and are accompanied by summonses, threats, and various forms of extrajudicial pressure.

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics as of the End of Day 43 Since the Start of the Protests

• Total recorded protest locations: 675

• Number of cities (without repetition): 210

• Number of provinces (without repetition): 31

• Civilian injuries: 11,022

• Total arrests: 51,591

• Student arrests: 120

• Forced confessions: 331

• Summonses: 11,050

• Total protesters killed: 6,476

▪️ Including children: 207
▪️ Military / government-affiliated: 214
▪️ Non-civilian / non-protester: 64

• Total confirmed fatalities: 6,961

• Cases under review: 11,730

Summary

On the forty-third day, the dominant trend was the continuation of organized repression, marked by student and political arrests alongside persistent official threats. These included the arrest of three students in Tehran, the detention of political figures such as Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh, as well as attacks by Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and several members of parliament against the authors of recent statements.

At the same time, remarks by the Golestan prosecutor regarding the identification of property and the pursuit of compensation for damages pointed to the continuation of judicial pressure through economic instruments. In the humanitarian and medical sphere, reports of injured individuals fearing access to medical care, combined with the announcement of 25,000 medical visits and the documentation of 11,022 civilian injuries, highlighted the severe human consequences of the protests.

Simultaneously, the issue of children and school students became more prominent, with official acknowledgment of the detention of individuals under the age of 18 and the publication of a list naming at least 200 deceased school students. Taken together, these data and developments indicate that the protest crisis continues to expand, carrying escalating human, social, and security costs.

Day Twenty-Nine of the Protests: Threats of Property Confiscation and the Continuation of Blocking and Intimidation Policies

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Freedom of Expression, News
2026 protests, brutal crackdown, HRANA, Internet Disruptions

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data on the twenty-ninth day of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 5,848. Of these, 5,520 are protesters, 77 are children under 18, 209 are government-affiliated forces, and 42 are non-protesters or civilians. The number of deaths still under investigation stands at 17,091. Total arrests have reached 41,283; the number of people with severe injuries is 7,804; and 240 cases of forced confessions being broadcast have been reported. The number of individuals summoned to security institutions has reached 11,023. A total of 645 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 197 cities in 31 provinces.

On the twenty-ninth day of the protests, the continuation of communication control policies, ongoing arrests and security confrontations, alarming reports of severe physical injuries, particularly to the eyes, and increased pressure on medical staff, alongside threatening statements by judicial and government officials, were among the key developments of the day.

Continued Internet Disruptions

On the twenty-ninth day of the protests, Iran’s government continues to disrupt and restrict internet access in order to maintain repression and control the flow of information. Available reports indicate that these limitations have not only failed to end but have continued in the form of “short and unstable connections”, a pattern that at times leads users to believe the internet has returned, while in practice stable quality and access are not restored. As a result, some sources report that the restrictions have persisted for more than 17 consecutive days; limitations that, in many parts of the country, have reduced internet access to a minimal level and disrupted access to vital services.

Alongside widespread shutdowns or severe bandwidth reductions, there is evidence of the implementation of a policy of “selective access,” whereby only certain pre-approved or limited services remain available to some users, effectively turning the online space into a controlled environment. This policy has posed serious obstacles to the dissemination of news and the documentation of violence and arrests, while simultaneously targeting civil coordination and the capacity to organize protests.

Internet disruptions have extended beyond the political and security sphere, directly impacting everyday economic activity. In one example, some traders are granted controlled internet access only during very limited windows, sometimes as little as 20 minutes per day. Under these conditions, there has even been discussion of the government monitoring internet usage. Such circumstances demonstrate that internet restrictions have gone beyond “controlling protests” and have become a tool for broader management and surveillance of communications.

The internet shutdown has also inflicted significant damage on the country’s economy. Some reports speak of daily losses amounting to several thousand billion tomans due to communication disruptions, emphasizing that the true impact of these losses is not limited to direct figures; their cascading effects can push commerce, online services, money transfers, company operations, and even access to essential services into crisis. The continuation of this situation, especially while society simultaneously faces security pressures and livelihood crises, has intensified social and economic harm.

Overall, the internet remains in a state of permanent crisis: unstable connections, selective access, a severe drop in quality, and the use of communication restrictions as a complement to street-level repression and mass arrests. This trend has not only cut off channels of information and coordination but has also noticeably disrupted the economic and social lives of citizens.

Arrests and Crackdowns

The pattern of widespread and targeted arrests also persisted. Reports indicate that arrests have taken place in various cities, with a particular focus on ordinary citizens, students, and individuals suspected of participating in or supporting the protests. In addition to individual arrests, there is evidence of mass detentions in some areas and provinces, such that in certain cities the number of detainees has reached dozens within a short period of time.

Alongside arrests, tools of intimidation and psychological pressure have been deployed in parallel. The release of videos or reports featuring forced confessions reflects an escalation of security measures in the media and psychological sphere, an approach aimed at instilling public fear, undermining the credibility of protesters, and controlling the narrative of the protests within the country. There have also been reports of summonses, interrogations, and the application of security pressure on the families and relatives of detainees.

Taken together, an assessment of the arrest situation on the twenty-ninth day shows that security agencies continue to focus on expanding arrests, exerting pressure on social and student activists, and using forced confessions as a complementary tool of repression.

Updated (Cumulative) Statistics as of the End of the Twenty-Ninth Day

• Number of recorded gatherings/protests: 645
• Number of cities involved (no duplicates): 197
• Number of provinces involved (no duplicates): 31
 • Confirmed deaths: 5,848

▪️ Protesters: 5,520
▪️ Children (under 18): 77
▪️ Government-affiliated forces: 209
▪️ Non-protesters / civilians: 42

• Deaths under investigation: 17,091
• Severely injured: 7,804
• Total arrests: 41,283
• Broadcasts of forced confessions: 240 cases
• Summonses to security institutions: 11,023 cases

Eye Injuries

One of the consequences of the violent suppression of protesters has been the rise in severe eye injuries resulting from the use of pellet guns or shots fired at the face by suppressive forces. Medical reports and documented accounts indicate that a significant number of protesters have sought treatment for deep injuries to the eyes, face, and eyelids, injuries that in many cases have required emergency surgery and carried the risk of vision loss or even eye removal.

In this context, reports have emerged from Farabi Specialized Eye Hospital indicating that around one thousand individuals with ruptures and severe eye injuries were admitted over a certain period of time. According to these accounts, the hospital’s treatment capacity was insufficient to cope with the volume of injured patients, placing immense strain on medical facilities. The severity of the crisis was such that equipment and stretchers from other hospitals were reportedly used to hospitalize and manage the influx of patients.

The continued documentation of such injuries on multiple days of the protests shows that “eye injury” is not merely a collateral consequence, but rather a recurring pattern of violence that constitutes a significant part of the on-the-ground reality of the 1404 protests and must be documented independently in final reports.

Pressure on Medical Staff and the Minister’s Expression of Thanks

Reports indicate an escalation of security pressure on medical staff and the transformation of medical centers into sites of heightened tension. Field accounts suggest that security forces have, in some cases, entered sensitive hospital wards, even intensive care units (ICUs), with this presence accompanied by threats of arrest and the creation of an atmosphere of fear that has interfered with the treatment of the wounded. As a result, some reports describe efforts by medical staff to hide injured protesters or take emergency measures to prevent their arrest.

At the same time, reports have also been published about the arrest of doctors and paramedics for treating protesters, an issue that directly targets the principle of medical neutrality and the right of the injured to access care. In one instance, the arrest of at least several doctors, as well as the detention of a volunteer paramedic, has been reported; the latter is said to have turned their home into a place of refuge and treatment for the wounded.

However, the health minister has thanked medical staff for saving the lives of thousands of injured people. This “official appreciation” stands in contrast to “security pressure,” in a situation where doctors and nurses, on the one hand, carry out their humanitarian mission of providing care, and on the other, face threats, arrest, or security restrictions.

Position of Iran’s Judiciary and Parliament: Threats of Property Confiscation and Announcement of Damages

On the twenty-ninth day of the protests, official statements by the government continue to emphasize the intensification of judicial and security measures. As an example, the head of the judiciary explicitly stated that no leniency should be shown toward individuals whom the authorities claim have “taken up arms”, a stance that effectively paves the way for harsher punishment, the issuance of heavy sentences, and a reduced likelihood of fair judicial proceedings.

At the legislative and governmental levels as well, there is talk of threats and punishment. The government spokesperson has spoken of the possibility of full confiscation of the property of individuals accused of “encouraging or cooperating” with the protests, noting that even such support could be framed as a serious criminal charge. Along with direct street-level repression and arrests, such threats function as a broader tool of social intimidation and economic pressure on the protesters and their families.

Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament has pursued a path of “political confrontation” in response to international developments, particularly resolutions issued by external bodies. Reports indicate that Iran’s parliament has condemned resolutions issued against the suppression of protesters and has sought to portray the protests as “riots” and “damage to public property.” By simultaneously highlighting financial losses, this policy aims to bolster the legitimacy of repression through portraying the situation as a “security crisis.”

In this vein, various figures regarding financial damages have been announced. For example, reports have cited damages amounting to 1,200 billion tomans in a single province, including harm to banks, public facilities, and even reported damage to emergency vehicles. In official media discourse, such figures are often used to reinforce the authorities’ narrative justifying harsh measures, while at the same time numerous reports of killings, severe injuries, eye trauma, and mass arrests remain unaddressed, with no clear accountability presented regarding the actions of suppressive forces.

Alongside these positions, the propaganda environment has also shown signs of escalating tension and securitization, including the display of symbolic messages in public spaces and the amplification of scenarios involving external confrontation. Taken together, these trends indicate that on the twenty-ninth day of the protests, the ruling establishment has sought to entrench the path of repression and raise the cost of protest for society through a combination of judicial threats, economic pressure, security-driven narrative construction, and the emphasis on financial damages.

Summary

The twenty-ninth day of the nationwide protests unfolded amid HRANA’s cumulative statistics showing a significant increase in fatalities, arrests, and cases of severe injury. At the same time, the continued disruption and shutdown of the internet remained a primary tool for controlling and suppressing the flow of information and restricting public communications, severely hindering the documentation of human rights violations, the monitoring of detainees’ conditions, and the transmission of on-the-ground accounts.