سروش پاکزاد

Iranian authorities appear to be preparing tighter enforcement of compulsory dress rules and online activity. Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi announced the creation of a special morality-security prosecutor’s office with 12 judges to pursue alleged morality offenses at cafés and restaurants and promised action against sellers of “unconventional clothing.” Reports also indicate renewed hijab warnings in Tehran, Rasht and Isfahan and continued closures of businesses. A cyber-monitoring unit has reportedly arrested influencers over videos viewed as mocking Arbaeen, while ordinary users, political activists, celebrities and families of protest victims have faced arrests, legal cases, forced-apology videos and threats over social-media posts. It remains unclear whether the measures represent a broad new crackdown or a political message aimed at hard-line supporters.

A crowded fan event organized by YouTubers Nima Tekido and Amir Goodarzi at Tehran’s Iran Mall spiraled out of control, leaving Tekido injured and prompting criticism over safety, sexually suggestive content aimed at young audiences, and alleged commercial motives. Tekido defended the planning process, rejected blaming his followers, and emphasized his support for them, but his YouTube and Instagram accounts were suspended. The incident has intensified concerns that Iranian authorities may impose greater restrictions on online celebrities, while declining YouTube advertising revenue, internet disruptions, economic hardship, and competition from Persian-language reality shows are making creators’ livelihoods increasingly unstable.

Four defendants in the Aliakhani Square case in Isfahan—Abolfazl Sepahi, Amirhossein Safari, Erfan Esfandiari and Golmohammad Mohammadi—were executed after being convicted in connection with the deaths of four security officers during January protests. The case involved 59 initial detainees, 12 death sentences and allegations that defendants were tortured, denied access to chosen lawyers and coerced into televised confessions. Eyewitnesses described large demonstrations, severe clashes, tear gas and gunfire around Aliakhani Square, while leaked audio files allegedly capturing police radio traffic suggest officers were overwhelmed and requested weapons and reinforcements. BBC Persian could not independently authenticate the recordings, confirm the public executions or establish whether the defendants participated in the killings, but found that parts of the audio and social-media footage were consistent with eyewitness accounts. UN human rights experts have condemned the death sentences and raised concerns about the judicial process and forced confessions.