Iran Confirms Over 21,000 Arrests During 12-Day Air War with Israel
Iranian authorities detained over 21,000 people during the June 2025 air war with Israel, citing public cooperation in identifying suspects. The arrests, including charges of espionage and illegal filming, reflect Iran’s intensified security measures and ongoing crackdown.
Iranian authorities have revealed that over 21,000 individuals were detained during the 12-day air war with Israel from June 13 to 24, 2025, marking the first official disclosure of the conflict’s arrest figures. The announcement, broadcast on state television, underscores the scale of Iran’s security operations during the intense period of hostilities. Police spokesperson Gen. Saeed Montazeralmahdi attributed the mass detentions to public vigilance, stating, “The suspects were reported to authorities by civilians,” describing the arrests as evidence of “high awareness and participation of people in providing security.”
Gen. Montazeralmahdi did not detail the specific charges faced by most detainees but noted that 260 were suspected of espionage and 172 were arrested for “illegal filming.” To manage the crackdown, police established over 1,000 checkpoints across the country during the conflict. The arrests reflect Iran’s heightened security measures amid fears of internal threats, particularly espionage linked to Israel, a long-standing adversary.
The disclosure follows a wave of individual arrests announced in recent weeks, with Tehran confirming the execution of Rouzbeh Vadi during the June conflict. Vadi was convicted of supplying intelligence to Israel’s Mossad, allegedly aiding in the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist. Since late June, Iran has executed seven men on espionage charges related to Israel, raising alarms among human rights activists about a potential surge in executions in the coming months.
The crackdown aligns with Iran’s broader efforts to suppress dissent and perceived foreign interference, particularly as tensions with Israel escalate following the war. Iran’s Jewish community, numbering fewer than 9,000, has faced increased scrutiny, with some members accused of spying, further complicating their precarious position. The mass arrests highlight the regime’s aggressive approach to maintaining control amid external and internal pressures.