“We are just getting started”: Iran Warns of Harsher Punishments as Protest Arrests Mount
“We are just getting started”: Iran Warns of Harsher Punishments as Protest Arrests Mount Tehran, Iran – Iran’s warning of tougher punishments for people arrested during recent nationwide protests is being read by rights groups as part of a wider global pattern, where governments are increasingly narrowing the space for peaceful protest. Iranian authorities said investigations into those detained were still at an early stage, signalling that harsher penalties could follow. The remarks come amid continued restrictions on internet access, limiting independent scrutiny of the state’s response. Officials have drawn a distinction between those accused of violence and others described as having been misled into joining demonstrations. The national police chief said some young people could receive lighter treatment if they surrender voluntarily, a message repeatedly broadcast on state television. Beyond Iran, civil liberties organisations say such approaches mirror trends seen in several countries, where protest movements are met with mass arrests, broad security laws and warnings framed as deterrence. From environmental demonstrations in Europe to cost of living protests in parts of Africa and Asia, governments have increasingly justified crackdowns on the grounds of national security and public order. In Iran’s case, senior officials have blamed foreign powers for fuelling unrest, accusing the United States and Israel of interference. The country’s supreme leader has echoed these claims, while acknowledging that the protests have led to significant casualties. State media reported fresh arrests across several provinces, alleging that some detainees were involved in attacks on public buildings and religious sites. Authorities said confessions had been obtained, though rights groups have long questioned the circumstances under which such statements are made, both in Iran and elsewhere. The judiciary has also indicated it may seize assets linked to those accused of taking part in the protests, a measure critics say risks criminalising dissent rather than addressing its causes. What began as demonstrations over economic hardship has evolved into one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership in years. For international observers, the unfolding response is not viewed in isolation, but as part of a broader global shift in which the right to protest, once widely protected, is increasingly under pressure.
| 2026-01-20 08:37:06