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Iran Intensifies Espionage Crackdown After 12-Day War With Israel

Tehran has set up special courts to try suspects swiftly under emergency espionage legislation that uses pervasive surveillance to divert blame for military setbacks.

Traffic moves past a large banner depicting Iranian commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, at Tajrish Square in the capital Tehran, June 30, 2025 (Atta Kenner /AFP via Getty Images)
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Iranian authorities are seeking to make up for their own failings in the conflict, activists say

Overview

  • Over 1,000 individuals have been arrested and at least six men executed since the June 24 ceasefire, according to Iran Human Rights.
  • Special courts that began operating in early July are fast-tracking trials under emergency espionage laws still being drafted in parliament.
  • Security forces have ramped up nationwide surveillance with mobile device searches and checkpoints to seize purported evidence of collaboration.
  • Authorities have disproportionately targeted Kurdish, Jewish and Baha'i communities with arrests, summons and home raids, rights groups report.
  • Leading dissidents including Hossein Ronaghi, rapper Toomaj and activist Arash Sadeghi have faced detention or interrogation as part of the wider crackdown.