Iranian Activists Describe Experiences of Regime Repression

A report detailed interviews with Iranian activists who have faced repression from the Islamic Republic regime. The accounts include experiences from protests and personal hardships. The report emphasized distinctions between the regime and the Iranian people.

Raheleh Amiri, a trained psychologist from Kerman, spoke at the United Nations on International Women’s Day in 2026. She described being shot in the eye by regime forces during the 2022-2023 Woman, Life, Freedom uprising, resulting in permanent blindness in one eye.

Amiri stated that the incident occurred while she was seeking freedom and had removed her compulsory hijab. Shiva Amini, a former elite futsal player for Iran's national team, reported years of harassment by the regime after being photographed playing football with her hair uncovered.

She said she faced threats of rape, death, lashes, and imprisonment, leading her to flee the country. Amini noted that such experiences affect millions of Iranians.

Gazelle Sharmahd discussed her father Jamshid Sharmahd's kidnapping in 2020 by regime operatives in the United Arab Emirates. He was taken to Iran, tortured, placed on death row, and executed in October 2024. Sharmahd has advocated for his release and continues to speak on behalf of Iranians, emphasizing unity in the diaspora.

The report also mentioned Sardar Pashaei, a world-class wrestler and former national team coach, who fled Iran due to harassment related to his Kurdish identity. Additionally, on March 19, 2026, the regime executed three men—Saleh Mohammad, Saeed Davodi, and Mehdi Ghasemi—in Qom.

The report noted a crackdown in January 2026 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths among protesters. It stated that Iranians have been without internet access for approximately 50 days, limiting independent voices. A poll indicated that 92% of the population is dissatisfied with the regime and supports a future beyond the Islamic Republic.

The accounts were compiled by Jonathan Harounoff, who reported on Iran and authored a book on the Woman, Life, Freedom revolt. He highlighted restrictions on independent journalists entering Iran.