Tehran, Iran – Amid escalating military tensions and airstrikes targeting sites within Iranian territory, security and repressive forces have intensified their systematic campaigns of persecution and arrests.
They have also placed the suppression of the home front at the top of their priorities.
Human rights and official reports indicate that at least 466 citizens have been arrested in various Iranian provinces in the past few days.
These arrests represent the most widespread wave of detentions since the start of US and Israeli military operations.
Fars News Agency reports: Accusations of “links to hostile groups”
According to a report published by the Revolutionary Guard-affiliated Fars News Agency on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, intelligence
and security forces conducted extensive raids that resulted in the arrest of these individuals.
Although the agency did not specify the precise geographical locations or timing of each arrest,
it leveled vague charges against the detainees related to “creating internal instability”
and working for “hostile groups” to the regime.
Observers believe that the deliberate ambiguity surrounding the arrests is intended to instill a sense of public fear. This ambiguity also serves to prevent any protest movements in light of external pressures.
“The crime of filming”: Prosecuting eyewitnesses
In a related development, a separate report issued by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence revealed the arrest of 67 more citizens on Monday.
These arrests were based on specific charges related to “taking photos and videos of sites targeted by Israeli and American strikes.”
The ministry claimed that these individuals sent this media material to “Persian-language media networks” abroad.
Tehran considers this transmission “intelligence cooperation” that harms national security.
Leak of accurate information
This fierce security crackdown reflects the confusion and anxiety of the Iranian leadership regarding
the leakage of accurate information about the extent of the destruction caused by the airstrikes.
It also reflects the fear that the public will exploit this moment to demand political change.
While the airstrikes continue, the regime’s “shadow forces” inside the country persist in their campaign against the citizens.
Meanwhile, international warnings are mounting about grave human rights violations being perpetrated under the guise of a “state of war.
