Iran tightens security grip at home as war conditions with US linger

As diplomatic efforts to end the United States-Israel war on Iran remain uncertain, Iranian authorities have tightened their internal security controls across the country, especially in the capital, Tehran. Over the last weeks, security forces and religious morality police have intensified restrictions, arrests, and punishments for people and businesses deemed noncompliant with a wide range of regulations on practices deemed by the state as immoral and un-Islamic.

In their attempts to strengthen the ”internal front and unity”, numerous clerical, political and military-security officials have emphasised the need to “stand united” in the face of foreign aggression, while also showing declining tolerance for anything perceived as dissent or non-compliance. The morality police is also enforcing compulsory hijab, business closures, and pressure on students, lawyers and others.

Along with war and economic malaise, the country is still overshadowed by the anti-establishment nationwide protests in January, during which thousands were killed and many more were arrested and executed.

President Masoud Pezeshkian called the events “bitter and unforgettable” during a televised interview released on Wednesday night.

During the protests, Pezeshkian accused US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of orchestrating protests across multiple Iranian cities to destabilise the Islamic Republic.

The state’s security apparatus has combined executions with arrests, asset seizures, internet and media controls.

It has also kept heavily armed security forces and pro-establishment voices on the streets of Tehran and other cities at night to maintain pro-state messaging and presence.

Iranian authorities have designated the January protests – the latest of several nationwide demonstrations in recent years – a “coup” attempt orchestrated by the US and Israel. They have said armed agents of spy agencies CIA and Mossad were posing among protesters to ramp up violence, attack government offices and damage public property. Former officials like ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a social media post that “Mossad agents” were involved in the protests.