Many Iranians Fear Suppression Under Ruling Regime’s Grip
Many Iranians live in fear that the government will intensify its internal repression after the war ends. Photo: Collected.
Despite a ceasefire in Iran, there is no relief among the public. Instead, an invisible terror has gripped many Iranians. Beyond the conflict and instability, the Islamic Republic’s governance now appears to be in an even stronger position. Consequently, citizens are living in fear that the government will become even more stringent in its internal suppression once the war fully concludes.
Information gathered by the BBC reveals a grim picture of the current situation in Tehran.
Following prolonged protests and the recent conflict, hopes for significant change had emerged among Tehran's educated middle class. While the deaths of top leaders made many optimistic, the reality has proven to be quite the opposite.
A segment of the Iranian population says that instead of collapsing, the system has contracted further under the control of the Revolutionary Guard. This situation has created intense frustration among the opposition.
According to human rights organizations, at least 53,000 people have been arrested in the protests that began last January. This crackdown did not stop even during the war.
In the history of the last 30 years, a record number of political prisoners have been executed in such a short period. Tehran carried out the death sentences of at least 21 people during the conflict.
Local lawyers report that the level of torture against prisoners has increased significantly. Previously, severity was primarily directed at armed protesters, but now immense pressure is being exerted on ordinary political prisoners as well.
Susan (a pseudonym), a lawyer by profession, stated that the intensity of torture against detainees increased severalfold during the war.
She said, "Previously, strictness was shown only to those who were armed, but now even ordinary protesters are not being spared. We fear that once the war is completely over, the government will vent all its rage from this conflict onto the prisoners."
On the other hand, the working environment for journalists has become a death trap. A journalist named Armin (a pseudonym) mentioned that reports previously considered political offenses are now being treated as espionage. Under Iranian law, the punishment for espionage is death.
He said, "Previously, we used to think about the impact of the movement; now, we spend sleepless nights just worrying about how to keep ourselves and our families alive." (Source: BBC)