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‘Killing off the country’: Iran executes dozens, arrests 4,000+ in war crackdown
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U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday accused Iran’s regime of dramatically intensifying its crackdown on dissent in the wake of the February conflict, warning that Tehran has carried out executions, mass arrests, torture and one of the world’s longest internet shutdowns while invoking national security.
In a sharply worded statement from Geneva, Türk said at least 21 people have been executed and more than 4,000 arrested on national security-related charges since Feb. 28, as the regime faces mounting scrutiny over what he described as a sweeping assault on fundamental rights.
«I am appalled that, on top of the already severe impacts of the conflict, the rights of the Iranian people continue to be stripped from them by the authorities, in harsh and brutal ways,» Türk said.
COULD NARGES MOHAMMADI UNITE IRAN’S OPPOSITION? HUSBAND SAYS IMPRISONED NOBEL LAUREATE STILL FIGHTING
A protester holds ‘Stop executions in Iran’ and ‘Free Iran’ placards during the demonstration. Demonstrators gathered outside Downing Street in protest against executions in Iran and in support of freedom for Iran. (Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Since the start of the conflict two months ago, the U.N. said nine people have been executed in connection with the January 2026 protests, 10 for alleged membership in opposition groups, and two on espionage charges. It’s estimated that some 40,000 people were killed by regime forces during January’s uprising.
Türk warned that Iran’s broad use of vaguely defined national security laws has enabled authorities to fast-track prosecutions, deny legal counsel, and rely on coerced confessions.
«Even where national security is invoked, human rights can only be limited where strictly necessary and proportionate,» he said, calling on Tehran to halt executions, impose a moratorium on capital punishment, and immediately release those arbitrarily detained.
For many Iranian dissidents, the findings reflect an already dire reality.
A billboard depicting Iran’s supreme leaders since 1979: (L to R) Ayatollahs Ruhollah Khomeini (until 1989), Ali Khamenei (until 2026), and Mojtaba Khamenei (incumbent) is displayed above a highway in Tehran on March 10, 2026. Iran marked the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to replace his father as its supreme leader on March 9, 2026. (AFP/Via Getty Images)
«It is bad,» Banafsheh Zand, an Iranian-American journalist and editor of the Iran So Far Away Substack, told Fox News Digital. «They’re completely killing off the country.»
On Saturday, it was reported that Iran had executed another athlete, a 21-year-old karate champion. Sassan Azadvar Joonqani was detained in January during the anti-regime protests and was executed by the regime on Thursday, according to a report in Euronews.
Wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi was executed by the regime in March for alleged illegal actions in January’s protests against the authorities. (The Foreign Desk)
Last month, Iran executed another athlete, 19-year-old wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi, for protesting against the regime, Fox News Digital reported.
Türk’s office said detainees have reportedly faced enforced disappearances, torture, mock executions, and televised confessions, with ethnic and religious minorities including Bahá’ís, Zoroastrians, Kurds and Baluch Iranians facing particular risk.
RUBIO REVOKES IRANIAN OFFICIALS’ US TRAVEL PRIVILEGES OVER DEADLY PROTEST CRACKDOWN KILLING THOUSANDS
Ali and Kiana Rahmani accept the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 on behalf of their mother, imprisoned Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi, at Oslo City Hall in Norway on Dec. 10, 2023. (Javad Parsa/NTB/Reuters)
Among those cited by the U.N. was imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, whose condition sharply worsened Friday after what her family described as a catastrophic health crisis following months of being denied specialized care.
According to a statement from the Narges Foundation that was published Friday, Mohammadi was urgently transferred by ambulance from Zanjan Prison to a hospital after suffering two episodes of complete loss of consciousness in a single day, accompanied by severe cardiac distress. The foundation said prison doctors determined her condition could no longer be managed on-site after what her family called a «last-minute» transfer that may have come dangerously late.
Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, told Fox News Digital earlier this week that her physical condition had already become increasingly dire after what he described as a violent arrest and deteriorating prison treatment. «She has sustained severe trauma and urgently requires medical attention.»
Rahmani previously said Mohammadi’s medical team and outside specialists had pushed for treatment in Tehran due to her history of multiple heart procedures, while authorities allegedly blocked those recommendations until her condition became life-threatening. Despite her physical decline, Rahmani said, «Spiritually and mentally, Narges remains steadfast.»
IRAN’S KHAMENEI LASHES OUT AT PROTESTERS AS NATIONWIDE ANTI-REGIME UNREST GROWS
In this photo obtained by The Associated Press, tear gas is fired during an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (UGC via AP) (UGC via AP)
The U.N. statement, combined with Mohammadi’s emergency hospitalization, has intensified scrutiny of Iran’s prison conditions, which Türk described as marked by overcrowding, medical neglect, and severe human rights abuses.
Türk also cited dire prison conditions, including overcrowding, shortages of food, water and medicine, and denial of medical care.
The U.N. further highlighted reports of lethal violence in detention facilities, including claims that security forces killed at least five detainees in Chabahar Prison after protests over suspended food distribution.
But while dissidents welcomed the U.N.’s unusually forceful language, some also questioned whether condemnation without action can meaningfully alter conditions, especially as Iran this week was elevated to a vice-chair role on a U.N. nuclear nonproliferation committee.
«The reason why Iranians just don’t trust, don’t like and don’t want to know from the U.N.,» Zand said, is what she described as its repeated failure «to rise to the occasion of responding to the regime and holding their feet to the fire at the right time… with the right amount of pressure.»
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Iranian diaspora activists gathered in front of the German Federal Foreign Office in Berlin on Jan. 27, 2024, to protest the increase in death sentences by Iran’s Islamic Republic rulers. The demonstration was organized by the Echo Iran group. (Echo Iran/Middle East Images/AFP)
While she said the latest statement itself was important, Zand argued many view such condemnations as hollow when paired with what they see as institutional legitimacy granted to Tehran.
«They’re making a statement… fine,» she said. «But what are they gonna do about it?»
war with iran, iran, persecutions, united nations, terrorism
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Combat veteran nearly killed by Taliban fires back at Platner’s deleted online attack: ‘You’re a coward’
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Combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient Ted Daniels, who was nearly killed by the Taliban, ripped Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner over a resurfaced post in which Platner said Daniels should not have survived.
Speaking to «The Bottom Line» on Thursday, Daniels called Platner a «coward» for hiding behind a keyboard.
«People like this don’t say stuff like this to my face,» he said. «It’s online, and that right there tells me, Graham, you’re a coward.»
In a now-deleted Reddit post from June 2019, Platner reacted to a viral helmet-cam video showing Daniels being shot four times during a 2012 clash with Taliban fighters.
«This video never gets old,» Platner wrote under the username «P-Hustle,» a deleted Reddit account he has acknowledged owning.
«Dumb motherf—– didn’t deserve to live. At least his stupidity and fat a– wheezing are available for all future infantrymen to witness and hold in contempt. Poor marksmanship on the Taliban’s part is the only reason this mouthbreather made it home, he managed to make every possible s— decision possible when it comes to small unit combat,» the post read.
PLATNER’S DELETED REDDIT SPARKS OUTRAGE AGAIN AS HE APPEARS TO MOCK WOUNDED SOLDIER: ‘DIDN’T DESERVE TO LIVE’
Maine Democratic Sen. candidate Graham Platner is facing renewed criticism over his deleted Reddit history. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The deleted post can still be found in the Maine Monitor’s database of Platner’s deleted Reddit history.
Platner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, is facing mounting backlash over his past online comments, which have drawn criticism from veterans and lawmakers across the political spectrum. His resurfaced Reddit account also featured a stream of vulgar and highly unusual posts that critics say raise broader questions about Platner’s judgment.
«Thank you for your service, Graham, but I think you’re a scumbag personally,» Daniels said.
Other resurfaced Reddit posts included Platner describing himself as a «communist» and «socialist,» alleged homophobic slurs, and praise for Hamas military tactics.
Daniels said Platner’s comments may stem from personal insecurity.
«Hate never comes from above,» he said. «It always comes from below. I don’t know if Mr. Platner has an inferiority complex. I don’t know if he’s disgusted or not proud of his own service because he’s out there attacking folks who are proud of their service and have done the right things for the right reason.»
TOP OFF-THE-WALL REDDIT POSTS HAUNTING GRAHAM PLATNER’S MAINE SENATE BID
Senate candidate Graham Platner, D-Maine, acknowledges a large crowd during a town hall at Bunker Brewing in Portland, Maine, on Sept. 25, 2025. (Daryn Slover/Portland Press Herald via AP)
He said he first learned about the post while having coffee with his wife and immediately asked whether it came from a «liberal» before knowing who wrote it.
After his wife confirmed it was Platner, Daniels said the comments «made sense.»
«This is what they do. It’s the violent rhetoric. It’s hateful rhetoric,» he said.
Daniels said Platner needed «therapy» for attacking other soldiers, including «American Sniper» and former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, whom Platner previously accused of killing civilians to inflate his numbers.
«The comments that he made about me are just one thing. He attacked former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle as well. Chris Kyle’s an American hero, he’s an icon, the legend,» he said.
WATCH: COLLINS RIPS MAINE CHALLENGER PLATNER OVER RESURFACED REDDIT POST MOCKING WOUNDED US SOLDIER
Sen. Susan Collins blasts Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner’s mocking of a U.S. wounded soldier as the two are headed toward a likely November showdown. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
He added that Platner’s comments reflect poorly on the military as a whole.
«Everybody thinks that everybody that served in the military is a saint and can do no wrong and that’s just not the case,» he said.
«Just to have somebody like this involved in our culture in the first place, it’s embarrassing for the entire military and veteran community.»
Daniels said Platner is contributing to extreme political rhetoric online.
«This man has cheered on Antifa. He has called for violence. He hates cops, and it’s like, this is what we’re dealing with,» he said. «From what I see, it’s all behind the keyboard.»
He said Platner’s rhetoric and emotionally unstable behavior make him unfit for office.
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«This is coming from a man whose party has no idea what a woman is, yet he saw a video of a man online and had an emotional meltdown like a 13-year-old girl who just got dumped by her boyfriend,» Daniels said. «Honestly, that’s not the type of leadership that we need in our government.»
Platner became the Democrats’ presumptive nominee after two-term Gov. Janet Mills ended her campaign last month. If he wins the June primary, Platner will face five-term incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins this fall.
democrats elections, veterans, maine, elections
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La Comunidad Andina pide respeto al gobierno de Paz y la solución del conflicto mediante el diálogo
Ante la ola de conflictos sociales que atraviesa Bolivia, la Comunidad Andina expresó su preocupación e instó a que las diferencias sean encauzadas dentro del marco constitucional y democrático.
“La Presidencia Pro Tempore y la Secretaría General consideran fundamental que la actual coyuntura sea abordada mediante un diálogo político constructivo, amplio y pacífico, que permita generar consensos y preservar la estabilidad institucional, en pleno respeto del Estado de Derecho y de las autoridades democráticamente electas”, señala en un comunicado.
En ese sentido, hicieron un llamado a todos los actores involucrados a actuar con “responsabilidad y prudencia”, para superar la actual coyuntura social, en la que al menos nueve organizaciones sociales se manifiestan con marchas y bloqueos contra el gobierno de Rodrigo Paz y exigen su renuncia.
La CAN manifestó su preocupación por los hechos que generan “perturbaciones en el normal desenvolvimiento de la vida institucional y en la provisión de servicios esenciales en Bolivia”, en referencia a los costos sociales de los bloqueos de caminos que tienen cercada La Paz desde hace 16 días: desabastecimiento de alimentos, suspensión parcial de actividades escolares, irregularidades en el transporte público y otros servicios como el recojo de basura.
“La Presidencia Pro Tempore y la Secretaría General de la Comunidad Andina subrayan la importancia del diálogo, la convivencia pacífica, así como el respeto al orden constitucional, principios que sustentan los procesos democráticos en todos los países de la subregión andina”, finaliza el comunicado.
Bolivia atraviesa una sucesión de protestas que iniciaron hace más de un mes con reclamos sindicales que luego derivaron en pedidos de renuncia contra Paz, que asumió funciones hace apenas seis meses, a quien acusan de no resolver los problemas del país y de gobernar en favor de los sectores privilegiados.
“El Gobierno se ha convertido en un representante de la oligarquía boliviana”, explicó David Mamani, representante de la Federación Campesina Túpac Katari, la que inició los bloqueos y encabeza la movilización. “Ellos quieren gobernar para ellos, no para el sector popular que está desamparado”, afirmó y acusó al jefe de Estado de “pisotear” la Constitución Política del Estado con la emisión de decretos que considera inconstitucionales.
Desde el inicio del conflicto, las protestas se han extendido por el territorio y lo que comenzó focalizado en el departamento de La Paz, hoy abarca siete de las nueve regiones del país. Este viernes, la Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras (ABC) reporta 51 piquetes, la mayoría concentrados en la región del altiplano y en Cochabamba, al centro del país.
El Gobierno de Paz ha descartado su renuncia y ha informado sobre reuniones con diferentes sectores para mitigar los focos de conflicto sin dar detalles sobre las negociaciones. El miércoles, el presidente prometió ajustes en su gabinete —pero desde entonces solo cambió al ministro de Trabajo— y la creación de un Consejo Económico y Social, que será una instancia consultiva y de diálogo con organizaciones sociales.
“Con aquellos que respetan la democracia, siempre las puertas estarán abiertas”, manifestó Paz en una conferencia de prensa y descartó acercamientos con los sectores que protagonizaron actos de violencia el lunes en La Paz cuando hubo enfrentamientos con la Policía, ataques a oficinas públicas y estaciones del transporte público, además de agresiones físicas a civiles.
El de la CAN es un pronunciamiento de varios de la comunidad internacional sobre la situación en Bolivia. Anteriormente expresaron su respaldo al gobierno y al orden democrático ocho países latinoamericanos, la Unión Europea, Estados Unidos y su “Escudo de las Américas”, el Consejo Permanente de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA) y los más de 30 expresidentes de América y España que conforman el Grupo Idea.
Civil Conflict,Demonstrations,Riots,South America / Central America,Civil Unrest
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