On August 20, 2025, intelligence forces of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps raided the homes and businesses of ten Baha’i citizens in Isfahan. The IRGC first searched seven businesses owned by Baha’is, continued at the owners’ residences, and later extended their search to three other neighbors. During the raids, gold ,mobile phones, computers, books, photographs were confiscated, doors were broken, and a young man was reportedly assaulted. Human rights organizations said that the operation was carried out without legal warrants and solely on the basis of a “verbal order.” Hengaw, a Norway-based NGO that documents human rights violations in Iran, described the raid as part of the broader persecution of the Baha’i community in the country.
On Saturday, August 23, 2025 (1 Shahrivar 1404), Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced that in a several-hour clash in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, six militants were killed and two others were arrested. Three Iranian security personnel were also wounded in the confrontation. This report came a day after the Iranshahr attack, in which five police officers were killed when two patrol units were targeted. The Jaish al-Adl group claimed responsibility for the attack. The group also claimed they had seized the weapons of the Iranian forces.
Yesterday, Emam-Ali Habibi, a legend of Iranian wrestling and the country’s first Olympic champion at the 1956 Melbourne Games, passed away. Known as the “Panther of Mazandaran,” Habibi was not only a celebrated athlete but also an influential public figure in various social and political arenas. Before the revolution he was elected as a member of the National Consultative Assembly, at one point he even turned to the movie industry to pay off his debts.
Public protests over widespread water and electricity shortages in the country continue. Among these areas, the cities of Shiraz and Kazerun can be named. In these two cities, people have come out to the streets and have chanted slogans of “Death to the Dictator.” The regular and frequent cuts to water and electricity in Iran began earlier than usual this year, starting in the month of Ordibehesht (April–May). In most cities, residents are left without these utilities for 8 to 10 hours each day.
Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated during a meeting on Sunday, August 24 (Shahrivar 2), with a group of supporters of the regime, that the United States is Iran’s enemy. He said he rejects direct negotiations with Washington for several reasons: “The United States is the enemy of the Iranian nation”; “The U.S. wants to bring our nation to its knees, and this is an insult to our people”; “The U.S. has taken ‘The King’ under its protection as the next successor”; and “Those who defend direct negotiations with the U.S. are superficial individuals.”
