According to reports received by the Karoun Human Rights Organization (KHRO), Iranian security forces arrested at least 18 Sunni Arab residents in the Kut Abdollah district of Ahwaz on Tuesday, July 7, using excessive force and physical violence. The arrests reportedly took place amid heightened regional tensions following the conflict between Iran and the United States.
According to information obtained by KHRO, most of those arrested are teenagers and young men under the age of 18 from the Khazami neighborhood.
The identities of those confirmed so far are:
- Jamal Naseri, son of Hamid, 12 years old
- Mojtaba Naseri, son of Abdolzahra, 16 years old
- Yasin Naseri, son of Yasin, 16 years old
- Morteza Naseri, son of Abdolzahra, 21 years old
- Mohammad Naseri, son of Kazem, 27 years old. In addition to arresting him, security forces confiscated his motorcycle and damaged his personal vehicle with batons.
- Abu Yaser Naseri, approximately 50 years old
According to the report, all of these individuals were beaten and arrested in public view, in front of local residents. Local sources also told KHRO that several other residents were pursued by security forces but managed to escape.
KHRO had previously reported that, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, intelligence forces simultaneously raided homes belonging to Arab residents in Kut Abdollah, arresting at least 29 Sunni citizens.
According to those reports, the arrests were carried out solely because of the individuals’ peaceful religious beliefs and activities. Human rights sources also stated that several of those detained had previously been arrested and imprisoned for their religious activities and were targeted again despite having already completed their sentences.
Eyewitnesses reported that security forces entered homes without presenting judicial warrants, searched the properties, confiscated personal belongings, and transferred detainees to undisclosed locations while creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation for families, particularly women and children.
The Karoun Human Rights Organization expressed deep concern over the continuing wave of arrests and the violent treatment of Sunni Arab residents in Ahwaz, describing these actions as clear violations of fundamental human rights, including the rights to liberty, personal security, and freedom from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
KHRO strongly condemned the use of violence during the arrests and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, an end to the ongoing security crackdown against Arab residents of the Ahwaz region, and an independent investigation into the conduct of the security forces, with those responsible held accountable.
