Day 48 of the Protests: Ongoing Arrests, UN Warning, and Rising Number of Forced Confessions

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data as of the end of the forty-eighth day since the beginning of the protests, the total number of confirmed fatalities has reached 7,008. Of these, 6,509 have been recorded under the category of “protesters,” including 219 children under the age of 18. In addition, 214 of those killed fall under the category of “military-government forces,” and 66 have been classified as “non-military, non-protesters.” Another 11,730 cases remain under review. During the same period, the number of injured civilians has reached 25,845.

A total of 53,344 arrests have been recorded, of which 139 involve students. The number of published forced confessions has risen to 351 cases, and the number of summonses has reached 11,051. Furthermore, a total of 676 protest incidents have been recorded across 210 cities in 31 provinces throughout the country.

On this day, four key incidents are noteworthy: the continuation of scattered arrests in various cities, growing legal concerns over violations of fair trial standards, reactions by domestic legal bodies to the situation of detainees, and the continued broadcast of forced confessions in state media.

Continuation of Legal Concerns; Warning by the UN Special Rapporteur

Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, warned that patterns of fair trial violations, sustained pressure on detainees, and the continued use of forced confessions have persisted in the aftermath of the protests. She stressed that reliable and comprehensive data remain unavailable regarding the number of detainees, their places of detention, those sentenced to death, and those executed, noting a considerable discrepancy between official figures and estimates provided by civil society organizations.

She further explained that in the weeks preceding and following the protests, formal communications were exchanged concerning death sentences issued against several protesters, as well as conditions in prisons including Qarchak, Ghezel Hesar, Sheyban, and Lakan Rasht. Allegations raised in these communications include deaths in custody, torture, executions carried out without prior notice, and the denial of detainees’ contact with their families.

Call by the Tehran Bar Association to Defend Detainees

In response to the widespread arrests, the Tehran Bar Association issued a public call urging all lawyers with experience in criminal law to declare their readiness to represent those detained in connection with the protests. The statement highlighted the conflict between Note to Article 48 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Article 35 of the Constitution, emphasizing the necessity of safeguarding the right to defense and upholding the principles of a fair trial.

This initiative comes amid the registration of 53,344 arrests, at a time when many detainees have faced serious restrictions in accessing a lawyer of their choice, and judicial proceedings in numerous cases have remained stalled at the preliminary investigation stage.

Message of Solidarity from Mahsa Amini’s Mother to the Families of the Victims

Mojgan Eftekhari, the mother of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, issued a message referring to the continued deaths of protesters, stating that the grief of families has been renewed. Expressing solidarity with the mothers and families of those killed, she emphasized that the loss of young protesters has left a lasting wound on society.

Eutelsat’s Statement on Satellite Internet

Satellite company Eutelsat announced that it is reviewing projects aimed at enabling direct connections between smartphones and satellite internet. The company’s CEO, referring to the situation in Iran, stated that the company would support the Iranian people protesting. These remarks come amid repeated reports of widespread internet shutdowns and disruptions during the protests.

Judicial Cases Filed and Conditional Release of Reformist Activists

As part of ongoing security measures against political activists, judicial cases have been opened against Azar Mansouri, Javad Emam, and Ali Shakouri-Rad. Azar Mansouri, Javad Emam, and Ebrahim Asgharzadeh were released on bail following their arrests; however, their cases remain under review at the preliminary investigation stage. These arrests reportedly followed their public comments regarding the crackdown on the January 8 and 9 protests, 2026.

Arrests and Crackdowns Continue

In recent days, arrests of citizens have continued across various parts of the country. In Ahvaz, 15-year-old Emad Hamidi was arrested. In Tehran, Rasoul Dowrehgard, 24, and Saman Dowrehgard, 20, two brothers residing in the Atabak neighborhood, were detained. In Malekshahi, Ilam Province, Reza Parak was arrested, and in Sanandaj, Jamal Asadi was taken into custody.

In Sabzevar, Navid Safa, Seyed Hadi Zorqani, Ali Akbar Rezaei, and Mehdi Sadidi were arrested by security forces. In Mashhad, Ali Gholami Khesht; in Quchan, Farzaneh Ramezani; and in Dashtestan, Abbas Saqafi were detained.

In Kohgiluyeh, teacher Sina Karimi Mofrad, and in Langarud, Sajjad Rafiei Pour were arrested. Official media also reported the detention of four citizens in Shahroud and several protesters in Kazerun. At the same time, a video containing the forced confessions of three individuals was published, without any explanation regarding the circumstances under which the recordings were obtained.

With these latest cases, the number of published forced confessions has risen to 351, and the number of arrested students has increased to 139.

Updated (Cumulative) Statistics as of the End of Day 48 Since the Start of the Protests

• Total protest locations recorded: 676

• Number of cities (without repetition): 210

• Number of provinces (without repetition): 31

• Injured civilians: 25,845

• Total arrests: 53,344

• Arrested students: 139

• Forced confessions: 351

• Summonses: 11,051

• Total protesters killed: 6,509

▪️ Including children: 219
▪️ Military/government forces: 214
▪️ Non-military, non-protesters: 66

• Total fatalities: 7,008

• Cases under review: 11,730

It should be noted that the confirmed figures for those killed represent the minimum verifiable numbers, while estimates suggest significantly higher death tolls.

Summary

The forty-eighth day concluded amid a rising death toll and increasing arrests, alongside mounting concerns over widespread violations of fair trial standards and the continued publication of forced confessions. Arrests of minors, teachers, political activists, and citizens across various cities have continued, while at the legal level, efforts have begun to strengthen access to independent legal counsel. Internationally, warnings persist regarding prison conditions and the lack of statistical transparency. Protests have been recorded in 210 cities across 31 provinces, with security-driven measures continuing to cast a shadow over the country’s atmosphere.

Day 46 of the Protests: Conditional Release with Mandatory Pledges, Arrest of Teachers, and European Parliament Session

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data through the end of the forty-sixth day since the beginning of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 7,002. Of these, 6,506 individuals have been registered under the category of “protesters,” including 216 persons under the age of 18. In addition, 214 individuals affiliated with government forces and 66 “non-protesters civilians” have been reported killed. Another 11,730 cases remain under investigation.

During the same period, the number of injured civilians has been recorded at 25,022, total arrests at 52,941 cases, student arrests at 136 cases, forced confessions at 337 cases, and summonses at 11,051 cases. A total of 676 protest locations have been documented across 210 cities in 31 provinces.

On the forty-sixth day, the following key developments are noteworthy: the continuation of targeted arrests among citizens and teachers, the imposition of new conditions for the release of detainees, and international reactions to the systematic crackdown on protesters.

Conditional Release of Some Detainees Tied to Signing a Pledge to Participate in a Pro-Regime Rally

In Shahin Shahr, Isfahan, the families of at least three recently detained individuals have announced that despite the issuance and posting of bail, the release of their loved ones has been halted. According to these families, judicial authorities have made their release contingent upon signing a written pledge requiring the detainees to participate in the February 11 rally, take photos and videos of their attendance, and submit them to the relevant authorities.

Families have been informed that failure to sign this pledge or to comply with its terms would expose the individuals to the risk of re-arrest. This conditional requirement has been imposed even though bail had already been secured and the legal procedures for its submission had
been completed.

Arrest of At Least 8 Teachers in Various Cities

Amid continued security crackdowns, at least eight teachers have been arrested in connection with the protests. The names of the detained teachers are: Mastoureh Narimani in Ahvaz, Amir Rahimi in Azna, Sattar Zarei in Khomeini Shahr, Ali Shamaili in Songhor, Shervin Hamideh in Karaj, Farhad Rahmani in Takestan, Ali Imani Motlagh in Lorestan, and Masoud Kiani in Shabad.

The arrest of these teachers, alongside the reported 136 student arrests, indicates the Iranian regime’s concentrated crackdown on the education sector.

European Parliament Session on Systematic Crackdown in Iran

Today, the European Parliament held a session on “systematic repression, inhumane conditions, and arbitrary detentions” in Iran. During the session, representatives discussed the intensification of the crackdown on protests, widespread arrests, poor detention conditions, and the denial of detainees’ access to medical care and legal counsel.

In the draft resolution presented within this body, emphasis was placed on the immediate and unconditional release of political detainees and protesters, granting international bodies access to detention facilities, and holding perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable.

Arrests and Crackdowns Continue

Arrest of Citizens in Several Provinces

In connection with the protests, Soroush Dabirmanesh and Khalil Rasouli in Bojnurd, Sajed Khabazi in Lahijan, Mehdi Haghjou (a 17-year-old student) in Langarud, and Milad Didar in Rasht were arrested by security forces.

In Dehdasht, Jamal Pourmandfar was arrested on January 10, 2026, and transferred to the city’s prison, where he remains in a state of uncertainty.

Arrest of Political and Reformist Activists

In Tehran, Mohsen Aminzadeh, a member of the Reform Front, was arrested on February 7, 2026, by IRGC Intelligence agents. His lawyer has stated that he is being held in solitary confinement and that the announced charges lack legal basis.

At the same time, Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, Hossein Karroubi, and Ali Shokouhi-Rad have also been arrested. These arrests indicate an expansion of the crackdown to include political figures and long-standing activists.

Arrest of Labor Activists

Yaser Ahmadinejad, a labor activist and dismissed worker of the National Iranian Drilling Company, was arrested on February 5, 2026 (aligned with Europe time) and transferred to Dehdasht Prison. He had previously acted as an independent representative of workers, pursuing labor demands and criticizing oil sector management and contractors.

Pressure on the Media and Response to a Live Broadcast Incident

During the February 11 ceremony, a presenter on Hamoon Network mistakenly uttered the phrase “Death to Khamenei” during a live broadcast, which led to the broadcast being cut off. Following the incident, the network’s broadcast director was dismissed, the channel’s operator and supervisor were suspended, and other staff members were referred to a disciplinary committee.

Continuation of Judicial Threats

The First Deputy of the Judiciary announced that some protest-related cases are in the investigation phase, some have been sent to court with indictments issued, and others are at the appeals stage. He emphasized that those who have “committed rioting” will be dealt with without leniency.

Cumulative Statistics Through the End of Day 46

• Total recorded protest locations: 676

• Number of cities (without repetition): 210

• Number of provinces (without repetition): 31

• Injured civilians: 25,022

• Total arrests: 52,941

• Student arrests: 136

• Forced confessions: 337

• Summonses: 11,051

• Total protesters killed: 6,506

▪️ Including children: 216
▪️ Military/government forces: 214
▪️ Non-civilian, non-protesters: 66

• Total deaths: 7,002

• Cases under investigation: 11,730

It should be noted that the confirmed figures for fatalities represent the minimum number that can be verified, while estimates of the total number of those killed indicate significantly higher figures.

Summary

The forty-sixth day passed with arrests continuing at various levels, from school students and university students to teachers, labor activists, and political figures. Conditioning the release of some detainees in Shahin Shahr, the arrest of at least eight teachers across different cities, and the continuation of judicial proceedings accompanied by threatening rhetoric from officials were among the most notable developments of the day.

At the international level, the crackdown on protests and detention conditions has been raised in the European Parliament. Meanwhile, HRANA’s cumulative data indicate a continued rise in the number of deaths, injuries, and arrests—demonstrating that 46 days after the start of the protests, both the human and geographic scope of these events remains extensive, with their consequences continuing to accumulate.

Day 43 of the Protests: Pressure and Threats on Universities and Political Activists

HRANA – Based on HRANA’s latest aggregated data through the end of the forty-third day since the start of the protests, a total of 675 protest locations have been recorded across 210 cities and 31 provinces. According to these figures, the total number of confirmed fatalities stands at 6,961, of whom 6,476 have been registered as “protesters.” Among the deceased, 207 are reported to be children under the age of 18. Additionally, 214 individuals affiliated with the government and 64 categorized as “non-protester civilians” have been reported killed. The number of cases listed as “under review” has been announced as 11,730.

During the same period, the number of civilian injuries reached 11,022, the total number of arrests was recorded at 51,591, 120 students were arrested, 331 cases of forced confessions were documented, and 11,050 summonses were issued.

Reports from the forty-first day indicate a continued and expanding wave of security and judicial crackdowns targeting protesters and their supporters, spanning universities, political figures, and ordinary citizens across multiple cities. At the same time, official rhetoric remained overtly threatening, from statements by the Golestan prosecutor on identifying property and pursuing compensation for damages, to sharp attacks by the head of the judiciary and several members of parliament against the authors of recent statements.

Other reports increasingly underscored the human and medical toll of the protests. These included accounts of injured individuals delaying treatment out of fear, the Medical Council Organization’s announcement of 25,000 visits to medical facilities, and renewed emphasis on the killing of a significant number of students during the unrest. Meanwhile, the situation of children and school students once again drew attention, following the publication of victims’ names and official acknowledgment that individuals under the age of 18 continue to be held in detention.

Student Arrests and the Ongoing Restriction of the Academic Environment

As part of continued arrests linked to the protests, three students were arrested in Tehran: Sohrab Assareh, Kasra Amini, and Ali Khanpour. The inclusion of these names, alongside the cumulative figure of 120 student arrests, underscores that the campaign of pressure against universities has not abated and has, in certain locations, escalated.

Reports have also emerged of the continued detention and prolonged uncertainty facing some students. Among these is the case of Yousef Yousefi (a student at K. N. Toosi University of Technology), who is reported to remain in detention after weeks and has been deprived of access to classes and examinations. This pattern, arrest, prolonged uncertainty, and denial of education, when viewed alongside the high number of summonses and forced confessions, reflects the growing securitization of universities. In this environment, student participation in protests, or even symbolic expressions of support, can result in arrest and the opening of legal cases.

Crackdowns Extend into the Political Sphere

Reports also point to the arrest of political figures. Among those named are Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh. These arrests come amid recent reports of the summoning and detention of signatories and supporters of critical statements. The inclusion of well-known political figures now signals a clearer expansion of the crackdown into the political arena.

In the same vein, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and several members of parliament have also directed attacks against the authors of recent statements. The language used in these positions has largely centered on accusations, political threats, and efforts to delegitimize critics, raising concerns about the potential escalation of judicial pressure, further summonses, and the opening of new cases against signatories and those associated with them. These attacks alongside the reported arrests suggests that state measures have moved beyond controlling street protests and toward tightening control over the broader public and political space.

Remarks by the Golestan Prosecutor on Identifying Property

One important development on the forty-third day was the Golestan prosecutor’s remarks regarding the identification of defendants’ property and the pursuit of “compensation for damages.” Raising such issues signals that the authorities’ approach is not limited to arrest and conviction alone, but may extend toward financial pressure, asset-focused measures, and the imposition of economic costs on protesters and their families.

Such statements, particularly when viewed alongside numerous reports of widespread summonses and forced confessions, present a picture of a “combined deterrence” policy, in which judicial threats are coupled with economic and social tools. Under this approach, the impact of repression extends beyond the detained individual to encompass their family and broader social environment.

Remarks by the Vice President for Executive Affairs

At the government level, the Vice President for Executive Affairs referred to survey results indicating widespread public dissatisfaction, noting especially low levels of satisfaction in certain provinces. These remarks come at a time when arrests and security crackdowns continue on the ground.

The acknowledgment of widespread dissatisfaction alongside the continued repression indicates that the government is seeking to manage public opinion. In this official narrative, public discontent is merely noted, without any reference to its underlying causes or to the violent suppression of protests.

“Students Among the Victims”: Health Ministry Official on the Killing of Students

Continuing official statements, the Deputy for Cultural and Student Affairs at the Ministry of Health reported that nearly 100 students have been killed during the protests and also referred to the ongoing detention of a number of students. The significance of these remarks lies in the fact that, when viewed alongside HRANA’s data, including the rise in student arrests to 120 cases, they once again underscore that the student community has been among the primary groups bearing the human and security costs of the protests.

This situation underscores two key dynamics: the active participation of students in the protests, and the transformation of universities into major focal points of security crackdowns, marked by scattered arrests, denial of access to education, and various forms of informal pressure.

“Children Under 18 in Detention”: Justice Minister’s Admission and Rising Concerns

On the forty-third day, the issue of children and adolescents once again came to the forefront. The Minister of Justice acknowledged the detention of children under the age of 18, stating that some remain in custody for the purpose of “investigations.” These remarks come amid HRANA data documenting 207 child fatalities, alongside continued reports of teenagers being arrested and held in designated detention facilities.

The official acknowledgment of this issue, combined with a lack of transparency regarding the location of detention, health conditions, access to family members and legal counsel, and the duration of detention, has intensified concerns over the fate of detained minors. This is particularly alarming given that the continuation of detention under the pretext of “completing investigations” can, in practice, lead to prolonged and exhausting periods of detention.

“List of Deceased Schoolchildren”: Teachers’ Statement and the Documentation of Names

Today, the Coordinating Council of Teachers’ Trade Associations announced in a statement that at least 200 school students have been killed, publishing a list of their names. The release of this list, going beyond a mere statistic, amounts to the formal documentation of identities, transforming victims from numbers into named individuals. Such an act can increase social pressure for accountability regarding the scope of the crackdown and the resolution of these cases.

Alongside this statement, HRANA’s data also indicate that children make up a significant proportion of confirmed fatalities. The convergence of these figures with official acknowledgment of the detention of individuals under the age of 18 presents a picture of the crisis extending into the realm of childhood and schools, an arena that under normal circumstances should remain insulated from security measures, but has now become one of the protest movement’s most sensitive fault lines.

“Fear of Seeking Treatment”: Reports of Delayed Medical Care and Severe Consequences

Reports indicate that some injured individuals delay or altogether avoid seeking medical care due to fear of arrest, summonses, or other security repercussions. According to these accounts, such delays have, in some cases, resulted in serious consequences, including blindness, permanent disability, risk of amputation, and even death.

These reports demonstrate that the prevailing security climate has extended its impact to the realm of medical treatment itself, effectively increasing the human cost of the protests. When the injured fear presenting at hospitals, the documentation and treatment of injuries become more difficult, and the likelihood of timely and effective medical intervention is significantly reduced.

“25,000 Medical Visits”: Medical Council’s Remarks and the Scale of Injuries

Continuing reports from the healthcare sector, the Medical Council Organization has stated that 25,000 injured individuals sought medical treatment during the course of the protests. This figure, when viewed alongside HRANA’s data on attacks and injuries, including the registration of 11,022 civilian injuries by the end of the forty-third day, highlights the extensive scale of physical harm and the mounting strain on the healthcare system.

The presentation of these figures alongside accounts of the “fear of seeking treatment” suggests that the crisis extends beyond the sheer number of injured individuals. Issues of access to care and the safety of seeking medical treatment have themselves evolved into a secondary crisis, one with direct consequences for both families and medical personnel.

“University Notices and Suspension of Activities”: Iranian Studies Associations at the University of Tehran

Today, the Iranian studies associations at the University of Tehran also issued a notice announcing the suspension of their official and public activities. While such notices are typically framed in administrative and internal language, within the context of the prevailing security climate they can be interpreted as a sign of intensified restrictions on collective activities and tighter control over academic and cultural institutions. This is particularly notable given that, in recent weeks, reports have already emerged of pressure on university activities, the suspension of programs, and the imposition of similar limitations.

“Reactions from Sports Figures”: Symbolic Support Amid Security Costs

Alongside reports of arrests and pressure, reactions from sports figures also drew attention. According to reports, several footballers, including Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mehdi Taremi, and Ali Gholizadeh, shared messages or expressed reactions in support of the protests. In another report, Rasoul Khadem issued a statement calling for the release of Alireza Nejati (a former Greco-Roman national team wrestler), who has reportedly been arrested due to his support for the protests.

The visibility of these reactions comes amid a broader context in which athletes have previously faced pressure, summonses, or detention for expressing solidarity with the protests. As a result, each new public stance simultaneously serves as an act of symbolic support and a reminder of the significant security costs such expressions may carry.

“Other Arrests and Crackdowns”: From Detained Couples to Mass Arrests

As sporadic arrests continued across various cities, reports emerged of additional citizens being detained, including the following cases:

• Leila Nasirinia was arrested in Ramhormoz.

• Ali Siahpour, a 17-year-old teenager, was arrested in Gachsaran.

• Shehzad/Heydar Azami, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested in Semnan.

• Saeedeh Foroughifar and Mohsen Darji, a couple residing in Yasuj, were arrested and transferred to an undisclosed location.

It has also been reported that at least 43 citizens were arrested in Behbahan, of whom 26 have since been released. Such mass arrests, often accompanied by transfers to undisclosed locations and gradual, limited releases, indicate that policies of psychological attrition and social destabilization remain in effect.

At a broader level, the rise in the total number of arrests to 51,591 cases and summonses to 11,050 cases demonstrates that crackdowns continue on a wide scale. In many instances, these measures extend beyond detention and are accompanied by summonses, threats, and various forms of extrajudicial pressure.

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics as of the End of Day 43 Since the Start of the Protests

• Total recorded protest locations: 675

• Number of cities (without repetition): 210

• Number of provinces (without repetition): 31

• Civilian injuries: 11,022

• Total arrests: 51,591

• Student arrests: 120

• Forced confessions: 331

• Summonses: 11,050

• Total protesters killed: 6,476

▪️ Including children: 207
▪️ Military / government-affiliated: 214
▪️ Non-civilian / non-protester: 64

• Total confirmed fatalities: 6,961

• Cases under review: 11,730

Summary

On the forty-third day, the dominant trend was the continuation of organized repression, marked by student and political arrests alongside persistent official threats. These included the arrest of three students in Tehran, the detention of political figures such as Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh, as well as attacks by Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and several members of parliament against the authors of recent statements.

At the same time, remarks by the Golestan prosecutor regarding the identification of property and the pursuit of compensation for damages pointed to the continuation of judicial pressure through economic instruments. In the humanitarian and medical sphere, reports of injured individuals fearing access to medical care, combined with the announcement of 25,000 medical visits and the documentation of 11,022 civilian injuries, highlighted the severe human consequences of the protests.

Simultaneously, the issue of children and school students became more prominent, with official acknowledgment of the detention of individuals under the age of 18 and the publication of a list naming at least 200 deceased school students. Taken together, these data and developments indicate that the protest crisis continues to expand, carrying escalating human, social, and security costs.