Executions and paranoia: inside Tehran’s crackdown

In the wake of Israel’s attacks, Iran has brought in strict new laws to suppress dissent, reports Amirhossein Miresmaeili

- Amirhossein Miresmaeili

As part of a wider crackdown on dissent in recent days, the Iranian parliament has passed a bill titled “Enhancement of penalties for espionage and for individuals cooperating with the Zionist regime and hostile states against national security and interests”. The legislation makes it easier to accuse citizens of spying.

This move comes in the wake of Israeli attacks that killed dozens of senior military commanders of the Islamic Republic, resulting in a surge of mistrust inside the Iranian political establishment. Government officials have even accused one another in public interviews of collaborating with Israel and leaking classified information.

The new bill, which was passed less than a week after the military conflict between Iran and Israel began, is being promoted by its supporters as a tool to confront “enemy infiltration”. However, analysts and human rights organisations warn that the legal measure poses a serious threat to civil liberties, press freedom and social activism.

According to official statements seen by Independent Persian, under this bill, sending photos or videos to foreign media outlets or commenting on security-related issues on social media could be considered “spreading corruption on earth” - a charge that can carry the death penalty in Iran.

In line with this policy, the judiciary’s social affairs department has sent cautions to citizens over text, warning them that following “Zionist regime-affiliated” pages on social media constitutes a crime. Meanwhile, hundreds of individuals across the country have been arrested on charges such as “espionage”, “disturbing public opinion”, or “collaborating with Israel”.