Iran Ramps Up Internal Security Following US and Israeli Strikes

 Authorities are reportedly conducting mass arrests and executing individuals accused of espionage.

Iran Faces Unrest Amid Intensified Security Crackdown Following Conflict with Israel and U.S.

Iranians are grappling with heightened internal unrest as authorities escalate a domestic security crackdown in the wake of a 12-day war that reportedly resulted in the destruction of three major nuclear sites. Reports have emerged of mass arrests and executions across the country.

The clampdown began after Israel's June 13 airstrikes, according to Reuters, citing activists and officials. Authorities responded with sweeping arrests and an increased security presence on the streets.

The heavy-handed measures have dimmed hopes among some Israeli observers and Iranian dissidents for a possible uprising or regime change. So far, however, no large-scale protests have occurred. Still, Reuters noted that some Iranians have voiced frustration with the Islamic Republic’s leadership, blaming its policies for triggering the war with the U.S. and Israel.

“The regime convicts and imposes the death penalty based on trumped-up charges to spread terror among Iranians,” said Saeed Ghasseminejad, Senior Iran and Financial Economics Advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). “Meanwhile, Israel’s Operation Rising Lion has helped the public realize that the Iranian regime is a paper tiger, weaker than ever.”

On Monday, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that 705 individuals had been detained on political or security-related charges. Similarly, the state-affiliated Fars News Agency said 700 people were arrested for allegedly collaborating with Israel.

In addition to the detentions, NBC News reported that three individuals accused of being Mossad operatives were executed, citing Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The three were reportedly caught smuggling “assassination equipment” disguised as alcoholic beverages—allegedly used in the killing of a public figure.

Iran Human Rights (IHR), a nonprofit watchdog group, warned that at least six other individuals convicted of espionage for Israel remain on death row and are at risk of imminent execution. The organization added that at least nine people have already been executed this year on similar charges.