Iranian police have announced the arrest of approximately 21,000 people during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, marking the largest mass detention since the conflict ended eight weeks ago.
Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi, spokesperson for Iran’s national police, said the arrests followed a 41% surge in calls to the police hotline during missile strikes, resulting in 7,850 public reports. Among those detained, authorities claim 2,774 were “foreign spies,” though it remains unclear whether they have been tried or convicted.
According to Montazer al-Mahdi, the arrests also included 261 suspected of espionage and 172 accused of unauthorized photography, with 30 “special security cases” allegedly uncovered through searches of confiscated phones. The spokesperson alleged that some foreign nationals were caught photographing high-altitude areas and key sites before sending their locations.
Human rights organizations, have reported widespread arrests during the war and have voiced concern over trials that violate international standards, calling for an independent investigative committee.