Iran Hardens Internal Crackdown Amid Continued U.S.-Israeli Air Campaign

The Iranian government has significantly escalated domestic security measures, with the judiciary announcing that individuals accused of cooperating with foreign powers during wartime could face the death penalty. This legal hardening coincides with a nationwide internet blackout that has lasted over 13 days, the second-longest in the country's history. International observers and activist groups, including Amnesty International, have warned that the communication blockade may be a precursor to large-scale suppression of domestic protests. On the military front, the joint campaign by U.S. and Israeli forces continued on March 13, 2026. Recent sorties focused on degrading Iran's internal security infrastructure rather than broader military targets, aiming to weaken the regime's capacity for domestic repression. High-profile arrests continue to be reported following the February 23 attack on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s headquarters, with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) recently submitting a list of detained female fighters to the United Nations. Humanitarian concerns are mounting as the conflict impacts civilian life. Amnesty International has highlighted the dual threat of execution for political prisoners and the deteriorating humanitarian situation caused by strikes on energy infrastructure. While the U.S. administration under President Trump has maintained a steady pace of strikes, the focus in Tehran has shifted toward preventing internal collapse through severe legal and digital restrictions.