Iran’s Muharram Crackdown: Rising Arrests and Executions Spark International Condemnation

Iran Intensifies Executions Amidst Internal and External Pressure

Tehran, Iran – July 12, 2025 – In a chilling escalation, Iran has reportedly carried out a series of widespread executions, primarily targeting young individuals, amidst mounting internal dissent and external scrutiny. Teh regime, seemingly fearful of public backlash, has resorted to a renewed wave of state-sanctioned killings, including public displays of brutality.

This morning, July 12th, a prisoner was publicly hanged in Bukan, while another met the same fate in Miandoab on July 9th, according to reports. The executions have continued with alarming frequency throughout July and the preceding weeks.

On July 9th, six prisoners were executed across different facilities: Naser kazemzadeh (26) and Ahmad-Ali Mehdinejad were put to death in Nahavand Prison. Simultaneously, Saoud Mehrabi, Abdolhossein Jaberi, and Amin shokri-pour were executed at karaj Central prison. the following day, July 10th, Jafar Khoshkalam was hanged in Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, July 8th, four individuals were executed: Mehran Habibi (34), Alireza Bagheri (40), and Esmail Valipour at Zanjan Central Prison, and Majid Rahmani (35) at Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.The grim tally continued on Monday,july 7th,with the executions of Amin Khosravi (38) and Saeed Asadzadeh at Tabriz Central prison,and Javad Yarbigy at Arak Central Prison.

The preceding weeks also saw a significant number of executions. On Wednesday, July 2nd, Jabbar Pourmohammadi Maghani was executed in Zanjan Central Prison. The day before, Tuesday, July 1st, Hossein-Ali Abedi (25) was executed in Ahar. On Monday, June 30th, three prisoners – Ahmadreza Didehban and Mozaffar Najari at Shiraz Central Prison, and an unnamed individual in taybad – were hanged. Babak Mostafavi (27) was executed in Neyshabur on Saturday, June 28th.

The scale of executions was particularly stark on Wednesday, June 25th, when nine individuals were hanged. Among them were Masoud Jafari (27), Ghorban Zeinolnouri, and Mahan Mahini at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, and Ahmad, Pasha, and another unnamed prisoner at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. The identities of three others involved in this mass execution were reported in a previous statement.

On Tuesday, June 24th, six prisoners were executed, including a woman identified as Tal’at Sabzi, along with Hadi Nasri (26), Fereydoun Naziri (36), Hassan Rostam-Nejad, and Azim Mohammadi at Qom Central Prison, and Habib Soleimani at Arak Prison. Sunday,June 22nd,saw the execution of Heydat Menshari (29) in Ardabil Prison.

Furthermore, there are grave reports of three Arab citizens – Moein Khanfari, Ali Mojaddam, and Mohammadreza Moghaddam – who have been transferred to solitary confinement in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, indicating they are on the brink of execution.In response to this surge in state violence, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has issued an urgent appeal to the United Nations and international human rights organizations. the NCRI calls for immediate intervention to save the lives of those on death row and demands the dispatch of an international fact-finding mission to iranian prisons to investigate these allegations and meet with prisoners, particularly those awaiting execution.

the NCRI issued this statement on july 12, 2025.

How does the Iranian government leverage the religious significance of Muharram to maintain control and suppress dissent?

the Escalating Repression During Muharram

The annual Shia mourning period of Muharram has become a focal point for increased repression in Iran,with reports of a significant surge in arrests and executions in 2025. This crackdown, targeting not only perceived political dissidents but also individuals expressing grief or participating in conventional Muharram rituals deemed “unapproved” by the regime, has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations and governments. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression and religious practice within Iran. Key terms related to this include Iran human rights,Muharram protests,political prisoners Iran,and Iran executions.

Recent Arrests: Who is Being Targeted?

The scope of arrests during Muharram 2025 is broader than in recent years. While historically focused on activists and opposition figures, the current crackdown extends to:

Religious Mourners: Individuals participating in Muharram processions not sanctioned by state-controlled religious institutions. This includes those reciting specific poems or performing rituals considered critical of the government.

Social Media Users: Those expressing dissent or sharing facts about protests online, even through seemingly innocuous posts. Internet censorship Iran is a major component of this control.

Ethnic and Religious Minorities: Members of minority groups, notably Sunnis, Kurds, and Baluchis, are disproportionately affected, facing heightened surveillance and arbitrary detention.

Journalists and Activists: Continued targeting of journalists attempting to report on the unrest and human rights activists documenting abuses. Press freedom Iran remains severely restricted.

Reports from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch indicate that many detainees are held incommunicado, denied access to legal counsel, and subjected to torture and ill-treatment.

The Surge in Executions: A Pattern of Fear

Alongside the arrests, there has been a disturbing increase in executions in Iran, particularly of individuals accused of moharebeh (enmity against God) or efsad fil arz (corruption on earth) – charges often used to suppress political dissent.

Capital Punishment Trends: Data suggests a significant rise in executions related to the recent protests, with many trials conducted without due process.

Public Executions: While less frequent than in the past, reports of public executions intended to intimidate the population have surfaced.

Focus on Protestors: Individuals arrested during the 2022-2023 protests, sparked by the death of mahsa Amini, are particularly vulnerable to the death penalty. Mahsa Amini protests continue to resonate within the current climate of repression.

International Response and Condemnation

The escalating crackdown has prompted widespread international condemnation.

UN Statements: The United Nations has repeatedly called on Iran to respect human rights and cease the use of the death penalty for political offenses.

EU Sanctions: The European Union has imposed additional sanctions on Iranian officials involved in human rights abuses. Iran sanctions are a key tool used by international bodies.

US Government Response: The United States has condemned the crackdown and reiterated its support for the Iranian people.

Human Rights Organizations: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other organizations are actively documenting abuses and advocating for the release of political prisoners.

However, the effectiveness of these measures remains limited, and the iranian government continues to pursue its repressive policies.

The Role of Muharram in Iranian Politics

muharram holds immense religious and political significance in Iran. It commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, a central figure in Shia Islam, and is traditionally a time for mourning, reflection, and often, expressions of social and political grievances.

Ancient Context: Throughout Iranian history, Muharram has been a catalyst for protests and uprisings against authoritarian rule.

Regime Control: The current regime attempts to control the narrative surrounding Muharram, using state-sponsored events to promote its ideology and suppress dissenting voices.

Symbolism of Resistance: For many Iranians, participating in Muharram rituals, even in subtle ways, represents an act of defiance against the government.

Case Study: The Baluch Minority and