Iran Intensifies Domestic Crackdown and Threatens Capital Punishment for Dissent

The Iranian government has significantly escalated its domestic security measures, signaling a move toward capital punishment for those accused of assisting foreign adversaries. A spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary stated that individuals found 'assisting' or 'cooperating with the enemy' during wartime could face execution. This hardline stance coincides with a nationwide internet blackout that has lasted more than 13 days, a tactic human rights analysts warn has historically preceded large-scale political massacres and purges. Simultaneously, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) reported the arrest or disappearance of several fighters, including four women, linked to a February 23 attack on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's headquarters. The names of the detainees have been submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur in an effort to prevent extrajudicial abuses. International observers note that high-ranking officials have been documented making explicit threats of lethal suppression against domestic opposition. On the international front, Amnesty International has issued an urgent appeal to all combatants in the regional conflict to cease the targeting of energy infrastructure. The organization warned that strikes on critical civilian utilities could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. The warning comes as the Trump administration continues to monitor Iranian domestic instability and its potential impact on broader Middle East security.