The wave of arrests, detention practices, coercive bail, and legal denial used to crush dissent after the protests.

Arrests, Detentions And Legal Repression

Since the eruption of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in late 2025, Iran’s human rights landscape has deteriorated precipitously, with the regime escalating its ruthless campaign to crush dissent by any means necessary. The first quarter of 2026 has witnessed a stark intensification of repression: mass arrests, military-grade violence, sham judicial processes, sophisticated digital censorship, and an unyielding assault on civil society. Despite this, Iran’s courageous protesters—especially university students—and an increasingly vigilant international community continue to resist and document these abuses, underscoring a conflict that remains unresolved and intensifying.

Intensified Crackdown and Legal Repression: A Systematic Campaign to Eradicate Dissent

The regime’s strategy has shifted from reactive to aggressively preemptive repression, targeting all sectors associated with the uprising:

Mass Arrests and Targeted Silencing of Journalists and Cultural Figures
The detention of journalists has surged, with Vida Rabbani, Tehran correspondent for Reporters Without Borders (RSF), still arbitrarily held on fabricated charges aimed at silencing truthful reporting. Acclaimed cultural figures like screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian remain detained, reflecting the regime’s awareness of the power of cultural dissent. This crackdown extends beyond mere arrests to include coercive bail, forced confessions, and the use of sham trials to delegitimize and dismantle protest networks.
Students at the Frontline: Renewed Protests Amid University Reopenings
Following the reopening of universities, fresh waves of student protests have erupted, notably in Tehran and other major cities. Students have organized memorial gatherings for fallen protesters, which frequently escalate into confrontations with security forces. The authorities have responded with intensified crackdowns to suppress these mobilizations, including arrests and violent dispersals. Abroad, Iranian student communities—such as those at the University at Buffalo—have amplified international calls for solidarity and justice.
Legal System Weaponized: Arbitrary Detentions Without Due Process
Cases like that of journalism student Maryam Javadi, held indefinitely without charge in Dowlatabad Women’s Prison, highlight the regime’s denial of fundamental legal rights. Detainees routinely face denial of legal counsel, prolonged solitary confinement, and coercive bail designed to extract forced confessions and implicate others. The judiciary has become a tool of intimidation, legitimizing repression through sham trials and secret detentions.

Military-Grade Violence: A Deadly and Calculated Strategy

Independent forensic analyses and eyewitness reports confirm that the regime employs military-grade weaponry with lethal intent against largely peaceful protesters:

Forensic Evidence of Targeted Killings
Medical experts have documented injuries caused by high-velocity projectiles fired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), striking vital organs such as the lungs, heart, and brain. Such injuries are not accidental but part of a deliberate strategy to inflict maximum casualties and terrorize the population.
Human Toll: Deaths, Disabilities, and Medical Neglect
While Iranian authorities officially acknowledge over 3,100 deaths, human rights groups estimate an even higher toll. The killing of Shervin Javadi, a 31-year-old father of two shot during protests in Karaj, exemplifies the lethal force employed. Survivors often suffer lifelong disabilities, exacerbated by systemic denial of adequate medical care and torture within detention facilities.

Record Executions and Secret Killings: A Grim Escalation

The regime’s use of the death penalty has reached unprecedented levels, with executions deployed as a tool of terror and political repression:

February 2026 Marks Highest Execution Rates
Over 207 executions were recorded within three weeks, primarily under the nebulous charge of “moharebeh” (“enmity against God”), a legal catch-all used to silence dissent. Disturbingly, at least 30 death sentences have been issued to minors, including two 17-year-olds, flagrantly breaching international law prohibiting juvenile capital punishment.
Ongoing Secret Detentions and Extrajudicial Killings
Families of detainees remain denied information about their loved ones’ whereabouts, fueling fears of enforced disappearances. UN human rights experts warn of clandestine extrajudicial killings in undisclosed facilities, reflecting the regime’s shadowy repression apparatus.

Digital Repression and Covert Resistance: The Battle for Information Control

The regime’s tightening grip on digital communications is a critical front in its repression, met by covert efforts to restore connectivity:

Chinese-Backed Digital Censorship and Surveillance
Reports from ARTICLE 19 and Iran International confirm that China’s technological support has enabled near-total internet blackouts, pervasive content censorship, and sophisticated surveillance of digital communications, severely restricting the flow of information and coordination among protesters.
Covert U.S. Efforts to Circumvent Blackouts
In response, the United States has covertly smuggled approximately 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran since the January crackdown. These devices provide vital connectivity for activists and protesters to bypass regime-imposed shutdowns, enabling communication and coordination critical to sustaining resistance.
Diplomatic Talks Concealing Repression
Investigative reporting by Janatan Sayeh (MSN) reveals how the regime exploits ongoing diplomatic engagements with global powers as cover for clandestine executions and intensified repression, illustrating a troubling interplay between international diplomacy and human rights violations.

Renewed Nationwide Defiance: Mourning as Resistance and Student Mobilization

Despite brutal repression, Iranian civil society remains vibrant and defiant:

40-Day Mourning Ceremonies Spark Fresh Protests
The traditional 40-day mourning rituals for fallen protesters have evolved into potent acts of political defiance. Across Tehran and other cities, mourners chant anti-regime slogans, risking arrest and violent dispersal to keep alive the memory and momentum of the uprising.
University Reopenings Ignite New Protests
Students continue to lead protests demanding justice and commemorating victims. Clashes with security forces on campuses underscore the enduring spirit and organization of youth resistance, signaling that repression has not quelled popular dissent.

Heightened International Scrutiny and Advocacy Amid Crisis

Global actors and civil society groups persist in documenting abuses and pressing for accountability:

UN Experts Demand Transparency and Justice
Updated data from UN human rights experts report over 3,117 deaths and approximately 3,000 arrests, with thousands more forcibly disappeared. They call on Iran to immediately disclose detainees’ whereabouts, halt executions, and ensure fair trials.
NGO Documentation and Calls for Humanitarian Aid
Organizations such as CIVICUS highlight the role of the January internet blackout in facilitating the regime’s widespread crackdown and emphasize the urgent need for independent investigations, transparency, and humanitarian support for detainees and families.
High-Profile Hunger Strikes Draw Global Attention
Nobel laureate and human rights defender Narges Mohammadi remains on hunger strike protesting inhumane prison conditions. The Norwegian Nobel Committee and other international bodies have publicly called for her immediate release, shining a spotlight on Iran’s repression.

Current Status and Implications

As of late February 2026, the regime shows no signs of easing its brutal response to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising. The continued reliance on mass arrests, military-grade violence, sham judicial processes, and digital repression reveals a regime determined to extinguish dissent through fear and force. However, the persistence of student-led protests, nationwide mourning ceremonies, and covert international support for digital connectivity highlight an ongoing and resilient struggle for freedom.

International calls for transparency, accountability, and humanitarian assistance grow louder, underscoring that the crisis in Iran remains a critical concern for global human rights advocacy. The unfolding repression and resistance in Iran demand unrelenting international vigilance, principled documentation, coordinated diplomatic pressure, and robust support to protect the rights and dignity of those risking everything for liberty.

Selected References

Reporters Without Borders (RSF): Surge in journalist arrests
Iran International: Student detentions, digital repression, presidential statements
ARTICLE 19: Chinese digital censorship assistance
Amnesty International: Death sentences including minors
UN Human Rights Experts: Updated casualty figures and calls for transparency
MSN / Janatan Sayeh: Diplomatic cover for executions and U.S. Starlink support
CIVICUS LENS: Analysis of internet blackout and repression
IranWire: Documentation of deaths, arrests, and executions
Norwegian Nobel Committee: Statement on Narges Mohammadi
Independent Medical Forensics Report: Evidence of military-grade injuries

The repression and resistance in Iran resonate far beyond its borders, demanding sustained, principled global engagement to uphold justice, protect human dignity, and support the courageous individuals who continue to resist despite overwhelming oppression.

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