Iran Tightens Internal Control Amid Continued Conflict and Prolonged Blackout

As of March 14, 2026, the domestic situation in Iran has intensified under the pressure of ongoing conflict. The Iranian judiciary has introduced severe legal penalties, including execution, for individuals accused of "cooperating with the enemy" under wartime conditions. These measures coincide with a nationwide internet blackout that has lasted more than 13 days, a move human rights observers describe as a strategic prerequisite for suppressing dissent and concealing potential massacres. On the military front, U.S. and Israeli operations have focused on degrading Iran's internal security infrastructure. These targeted strikes aim to diminish the regime's capacity to carry out domestic repression. Meanwhile, international advocacy groups, including Amnesty International, have issued urgent warnings to all involved parties to avoid strikes on energy infrastructure, citing the potential for devastating humanitarian consequences for the civilian population. The human rights situation remains critical as the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) reported several members missing following a February attack on Ali Khamenei's headquarters. The names of the missing, including four women, have been submitted to United Nations authorities in an effort to prevent extrajudicial abuses during the current information blackout.