Iranian political prisoners

Sexual abuse in Iranian prisons sharply rises as population repression increases during ceasefire

One young woman told The Media Line that she was sexually assaulted during interrogation, and that heavily-built officers used batons to carry out the abuse. 

THREE WOMEN - Sharifeh Mohammadi, Pakhshan Azizi, and Varisheh Moradi - are at risk of death following the confirmation of their death sentences.
FILE PHOTO: Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple who have been sentenced by Iran to 10 years in prison on charges of espionage, according to their family, pose for a selfie in an unknown location in this undated handout photograph taken in 2024 and obtained by Reuters on February 19, 2026.

UK nationals in Iran call on government to defend them amid Tehran airstrikes

Prison cell block

Iran denies medical care for political inmates at Kurdish region prisons, raises security - report

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper at the UN Security Council, New York, February 18, 2026; illustrative.

UK condemns 10-year sentence for British nationals detained in Iran under espionage allegations


Araghchi slams US-Israeli Miriam Adelson, accusing her of dual loyalties in antisemitic trope

Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi criticizes Miriam Adelson's claims, calls for diplomacy in US-Iran talks, and warns of military retaliation if negotiations fail.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, February 7, 2026; illustrative.

WATCH: Pahlavi announces six demands for int'l community, Iranian diaspora to support protesters

Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi outlined six key demands to rally global support for Iranian activists and protesters, urging a coordinated international effort to weaken the regime.

Anti-Iranian regime protesters in Paris, France, hold banners, including of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi over a background with the Pahlavi royal crest, reading "FREE IRAN," January 18, 2026.

Bita Shafiei, young Iranian activist released on bail after six weeks in prison

Freed on a $760,000 bail, 20-year-old Bita Shafiei spoke out after weeks in solitary confinement. Her mother is still imprisoned under alleged threats and coercion.

Bita Shafiei moments after her release from prison, December 27, 2025.

Iran detains 18 crew members of foreign tanker seized in Gulf of Oman

Iran said those detained in the ongoing investigation include the tanker's captain. The vessel's identity and the crew members' nationalities were not disclosed.

Members of the Iranian Navy attend the joint Navy exercise of Iran, China and Russia in the Gulf of Oman, Iran, in this handout image obtained on March 12, 2025; illustrative.

Iran arrests Iranian-American Jew for visiting Israel - NYT

Hekmati, a 70-year-old resident of Long Island, New York, has been held in Evin Prison since July.

Kemran Hekmati, pictured in a family photo. Iran charged the 70-year-old Jewish Iranian-American for traveling to Israel.

Iran carries out highest level of prisoner executions in past two decades in Oct., watchdog says

Out of the eight political prisoners Iran executed during October, Hengaw identified seven as being sentenced on charges of espionage for Israel.

Activists protest against Iranian executions in Rome, Italy, July 30, 2025.

After damage from Israeli strikes, Iran returns inmates to infamous Evin Prison

Iran moves 600 prisoners back into damaged Evin Prison, still partly destroyed after Israel’s strike, fueling anger over dire conditions.

People ride on a motorcycle as a view shows the aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison that took place on June 23, after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 29, 2025.

Iran says it arrested 21,000 'suspects' over fears of Israel collaboration during war

Following the war, Iranian security forces launched a campaign of widespread arrests, increasing street presence with checkpoints and encouraging citizens to report suspicious activity.

People walk past a billboard with a caricature of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on a street in Tehran, Iran, August 10, 2025.

'Israel is killing the killers': Former Evin prisoner speaks out after Israeli strikes - exclusive

"This was a powerful moment for us , to see those who tormented us finally being held accountable. But I must say: as long as Khamenei is alive, the cycle of violence isn't over."

 A view of the perimeter wall of the site of the Evin prison fire, in Tehran, Iran October 17, 2022.

Iranian activist sentenced to 12 years for tweeting a single dot

Iran's judiciary reported that a "fugitive Mossad agent" had been arrested in June, later identified to be Shanbehzadeh. He is now charged with pro-Israel propaganda, which he denies.

 Hossein Shanbehzadeh