Women in Iran are reportedly being subjected to horrific sexual violence and physical mutilation as punishment for daring to protest against the country's authoritarian regime, according to a prominent journalist. German-Iranian reporter Michel Abdollahi has shared chilling accounts from within the Islamic Republic, detailing a systematic campaign of terror aimed at silencing female dissent.
Systematic Use of Sexual Violence as a Weapon
Mr Abdollahi, who was born in Tehran before moving to Hamburg, has spoken extensively with contacts inside Iran. He claims that women who participate in acts of defiance are being abducted, raped, and brutally mutilated by regime forces. Their bodies are often not returned to families, or are burned to conceal evidence of the atrocities.
The journalist stated: 'According to eyewitness accounts, they are being raped, their uteruses removed, their scalps ripped off along with their hair and their bodies covered in cigarette burns.' He emphasised that the Islamic Republic, under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, deliberately uses rape as a weapon to instil maximum fear and deter further protests.
Acts of Defiance and Disappearances
In recent months, courageous Iranian women have engaged in numerous public acts of rebellion despite knowing the severe personal risks. These include removing their mandatory hijabs in public, riding motorbikes, and posting defiant footage on social media. One particularly symbolic protest involves women lighting cigarettes using burning images of Ayatollah Khamenei—an act that combines two serious taboos in the conservative nation.
However, this defiance has come at a terrible cost. Mr Abdollahi reports that women have begun disappearing across the country, with few bodies being found. He believes the same horrific tactics are being used against children as well, creating an atmosphere of pervasive terror.
International Tensions and Diplomatic Fallout
The revelations emerge amid heightened international tensions surrounding Iran's human rights record. The European Union recently listed Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation due to its role in violently suppressing nationwide protests in January, which resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of detentions.
In response, Iran has summoned all EU ambassadors to protest the designation and is considering reciprocal actions. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani stated that Iran now considers all EU militaries to be terrorist groups, citing a 2019 law.
Military Posturing and Economic Pressure
The regime also faces potential military action from the United States following the killing of peaceful demonstrators and threats of mass executions. The US military has moved the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and several guided-missile destroyers into the Middle East, though it remains unclear whether President Donald Trump will authorise force.
Meanwhile, the IRGC conducted military drills in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil passes. The US Central Command issued strong warnings against any harassment of its warships or interference with commercial vessels.
The EU's terrorist designation, while largely symbolic, adds to economic pressures squeezing Iran. The IRGC wields significant influence over the country's economy, having expanded into private enterprise after the Iran-Iraq war with Khamenei's approval.
A Nation in Mourning Yet Defiant
Despite the horrific violence, Mr Abdollahi reports that the Iranian people remain remarkably resilient. 'I talk to people in Iran every day. They say everyone has lost loved ones. Everyone. Everyone is wearing black. It's like a cemetery,' he said. 'But people are also saying they won't give up.'
The journalist became emotional while describing the situation, noting that regime forces have even used poison gas against the population. The IRGC's Basij force played a key role in suppressing the January protests, with videos showing members shooting and beating demonstrators after authorities cut off internet and international communications.
As Iranian women continue their brave acts of protest—often documented via Starlink satellite dishes and other means—the international community watches with growing concern about both the humanitarian crisis and the potential for broader regional conflict.
