After 12 days of war, Iran has begun a crackdown on presumed "collaborators." Ever since the ceasefire with Israel took effect on June 24, arrests have multiplied across the country, targeting human rights activists, social media users accused of "online propaganda," Afghan migrants and followers of the Baha'i faith, which the Iranian regime considers a "misguided sect." According to the New York-based NGO Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), the aim has been "to stamp out any trace of dissent and reassert (...) control." Weakened abroad, the Islamic Republic has intensified repression at home.

Recently, Iranian media have reported that there were more than 700 arrests nationwide during the 12 days of war, particularly in the provinces of Kermanshah, Isfahan, Khuzestan, Fars and Lorestan. The actual number is likely higher – the CHRI mentioned several hundred additional arrests in Tehran. Pressure was also especially high in Kurdish cities, particularly smaller ones, where arrests have continued. The charge is always the same: "collaboration with the Zionist regime" – the official term for Israel.

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