Continued Suppression of Religious Minorities in Iran; Seven Arab Sunni Citizens Arrested in Khuzestan
In continuation of pressure on religious minorities in Iran, at least seven citizens and Arab Sunni religious activists in the cities of Abadan and Mahshahr have been arrested by the Intelligence Bureau and transferred to an unknown location. According to reports, the families of these individuals remain unaware of their detention location and the charges against them.
The Islamic Republic has for years expanded the scope of pressure on political, ideological, and religious opponents through widespread arrests, heavy sentences, and security restrictions. Among these, religious minorities including Christians, Baha’i citizens, followers of Yarsan faith, Dervishes, Sunnis, and other religious minorities have consistently been among the primary targets of the Islamic Republic’s security and judicial institutions; many of whom have faced arrest, interrogation, lengthy imprisonment, and deprivation of basic citizenship rights solely because of their religious beliefs or peaceful religious activities.
In the latest reports, at least seven citizens and Arab Sunni religious activists in Khuzestan Province have been arrested by Intelligence Bureau forces and transferred to an unknown location.
According to the report, on Friday, July 24, 2026 (corresponding to 2 Mordad 1405 in the Persian calendar), five Arab Sunni citizens named “Mehdi Batrani,” age 41, “Hossein Khonfari,” age 33, “Amin Khonfari,” age 22, “Mehdi Assaker,” age 20, and “Hassan Batrani,” age 32, were arrested simultaneously in the city of Abadan by security forces.
Simultaneously in the city of Mahshahr, two Arab religious activists named “Abdel-Hamid Simari,” known as Abu Abdel-Salam, age 50, and “Hatem Mansouri,” age 46, were arrested by Intelligence Bureau officers.
According to available information, no official institution has so far provided any explanation regarding the reasons for these arrests or the charges attributed to them. Furthermore, the detention location of these seven citizens remains unclear, and efforts by their families to obtain information about their loved ones have proven fruitless.
These arrests are occurring at a time when human rights institutions have repeatedly warned over recent years of intensified security pressure against religious minorities in Iran. Multiple reports indicate that the Islamic Republic, citing accusations such as “measures against national security,” “propaganda against the system,” or “formation of illegal groups,” has pursued religious activists and followers of various religions and denominations, and has issued heavy prison sentences for many of them.
Human rights organizations consider these actions to be violations of the right to freedom of religion and belief, freedom of expression, and freedom of peaceful association; rights that the Islamic Republic is obligated to respect according to its international commitments.
