Iran cracks down with mass arrests and executions after ceasefire with Israel

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As a ceasefire settles in after nearly two weeks of war with Israel, Iranian authorities have launched a sweeping internal security crackdown, according to officials, rights groups, and activists. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRNA) reported at least 705 arrests on political and security charges since Israel began striking Iranian targets on June 13. Many detainees are accused of spying for Israel, HRNA said. Three people were executed Tuesday in Urmia, near the Turkish border, according to Iranian state media. Iranian-Kurdish rights group Hengaw said all three were ethnic Kurds, raising concerns about targeted repression in Iran’s Kurdish-majority regions, where military deployments have increased. The clampdown comes amid speculation that Israel's targeted strikes—hitting Revolutionary Guard and internal security sites—could destabilise the Iranian regime. While U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli officials have publicly denied seeking regime change, both acknowledged that a collapse of Iran’s government could be a potential consequence of the conflict. Exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed Shah, claimed the regime is “on its way down,” suggesting widespread public discontent remains beneath the surface. Despite the heavy toll from the war, no major protests have broken out, unlike the nationwide demonstrations in 2022. Activists told Reuters that fear of retaliation has kept dissent quiet. One activist said dozens of people had been summoned or warned by authorities since the ceasefire was declared. Rights groups warn the government may be using the post-war situation as a pretext to stifle dissent, especially in already tense regions like Kurdistan.