Iranian state media have reported the arrest of 42 individuals in the Ahwaz region (Khuzestan Province) by security and intelligence forces.
According to these reports, the detainees are accused of having, with prior planning, photographed and filmed sensitive military and non-military sites and transmitting the information via phone calls to what were described as “hostile media networks abroad.”
This wave of arrests comes amid escalating military tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, during which the security atmosphere across the country—particularly in the Ahwaz region—has intensified. Reports indicate increasing pressure on civilians and the suppression of any form of protest or civil activity under accusations such as “espionage” and “links with foreign entities.” In some cases, such charges have led to severe sentences, including the death penalty.
In this context, Hossein Ghawi (Silawi), an Ahwazi Arab youth from the Zargan area in northern Ahwaz, was arrested last week on charges of links with foreign entities and contact with media outlets. According to reports, he died under torture during his detention.
Previously, Iranian state media, citing the Intelligence Department of the Ahwaz region (Khuzestan Province), reported that six individuals were arrested on charges of “armed activity.” Security officials claimed that those individuals were in contact with “foreign enemies.”
