In the aftermath of the 12‑day conflict with Israel, Iran internal crackdown has pivoted sharply — launching a brutal crackdown across its own territory. Reports from human rights groups indicate that more than 700 arrests have been made, including charges of “espionage” for Israel, alongside at least three executions, all targeting Kurdish activists .
Beginning soon after June 13, security forces mobilized Revolutionary Guard and Basij units, particularly in ethnic Kurdish and Baluch regions. Checkpoints proliferated, homes were raided, and authorities conducted digital surveillance—signalling a nationwide strategy to suppress potential dissent before it could erupt . With border areas under heavy patrolling, officials claimed they aimed to thwart separatist or foreign threats—blurring the line between national security and political repression.
Despite hopes in exile circles that the war might spark broader protests or even challenge the regime, Iran’s streets have remained largely silent. Locals tell Reuters the leadership has used this moment to justify intensified surveillance and detention operations—especially in Kurdish areas, with some activists going underground for safety .
Analysts warn that this suppression strategy is a double-edged sword. Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi has described Iran’s leadership as a “paper tiger,” fractured by the war’s exposure of internal panic—even as they deploy force to maintain control . International concern is mounting, with UN rights bodies condemning secretive trials and executions, reinforcing perceptions of an increasingly authoritarian regime .
Ethnic Kurdish parties in exile confirm hundreds of detainees and military presence in their homelands; meanwhile, the government tours the rhetoric of external threats, justifying draconian measures as essential protections .
As Iran braces for both internal unrest and external pressure, the risk of radicalizing quiet dissent looms large. Suppression may keep protests at bay now, but history warns: deep resentments can ignite when fear, surveillance, and execution replace dialogue. For the international community, and especially Iran-watchers, this moment is telling: external wars are raging, but the true battle may now be inside.
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