Iran Arrests Jewish Leaders, Families in Tehran, Shiraz Over Suspected Israel Ties

Since mid-June, Iranian authorities have arrested at least 700 people on suspicion of collaborating with Israel during the recent conflict, including numerous Jewish religious figures and community leaders in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan. Multiple reports detail that members of Jewish families have been detained, with electronic devices confiscated; women have been released while men, including rabbis, remain in custody. The arrests reportedly involve home raids and questioning about digital contact with relatives in Israel or past travel there, actions considered serious offenses in Iran. Despite these arrests, Iran’s state-linked media showcased a pro-regime gathering of the Jewish community in Tehran, emphasizing loyalty to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and condemning Israeli attacks on Jewish community buildings. Activists and experts warn that these arrests reflect a pattern of scapegoating minorities during national crises, with Jewish Iranians often used for propaganda purposes despite constitutional protections. Calls for international attention and assistance have been raised by activists, highlighting the precarious situation of approximately 9,000 Jews living in Iran, the largest Jewish population in the Middle East outside Israel.