State-Sponsored Violence

Iran’s “Reformist” President Oversees 700 Executions

Iran’s “reformist” president, Masoud Pezeshkian, oversaw approximately 700 executions in the months following his election. This staggering number represents a significant portion of the record 1,000 executions reported in Iran during 2024, a figure representing the highest in three decades. The sheer scale of these executions calls into question the very meaning of “reformist” in the Iranian context, particularly when considering the regime’s established record of human rights abuses.

The claim of reform seems especially jarring given that these executions occurred across 86 prisons, including the deaths of 34 women and seven juveniles. Such actions directly contradict any notion of progressive governance, raising serious concerns about the nature of political change within Iran’s theocratic system.… Continue reading

Swedish security service confirms Iran uses criminal gangs in Sweden as proxies to carry out acts of violence.

It’s truly disheartening to hear that the Swedish security service has confirmed Iran’s utilization of criminal gangs in Sweden as proxies to carry out acts of violence. The fact that Iran is resorting to such underhanded tactics is not only concerning but also paints a grim picture of the depths to which authoritarian regimes will sink to achieve their goals. The use of criminal organizations to carry out violent acts is a cowardly and despicable tactic, one that shows a complete disregard for human life and international norms.

The similarities drawn between criminal gangs and terrorist organizations are striking, highlighting the intricate web of connections that exist between illicit activities and state-sponsored violence.… Continue reading