Masoud Pezeshkian

Protests triggered by collapsing purchasing power, inflation and the falling rial spread to numerous provinces and quickly targeted the entire political system.

State of the evidence

Documented

The crackdown on demonstrations left thousands dead, according to several human rights groups cited by Reuters, with mass arrests and a nationwide security presence.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Institutional responsibility

Authorities cut access to the international internet during demonstrations and again during the war with the United States and Israel; tens of millions of Iranians were isolated from the global internet for nearly three months.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Direct responsibility

Pezeshkian ordered the reopening of international internet access after 87 days of near-total blackout, and connectivity began returning despite opposition from conservative factions.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

HRW and the Boroumand Center documented dozens of politically motivated executions following the protests, including at least 29 people linked to recent demonstrations; several convictions were based on the espionage law signed by Pezeshkian.

State of the evidence

Documented

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Following military escalation with the United States and Israel, authorities intensified arrests and prosecutions for espionage or collaboration with the enemy, amid economic crisis and fears of renewed mobilisation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Pezeshkian's government decided to raise fuel prices for heavy consumers, a measure long delayed because of memories of the deadly protests over petrol prices in 2019.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

During the first eight months of Pezeshkian's government, the rial lost nearly half its value on the open market; Parliament dismissed Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati for mismanagement.

Attribution

Political responsibility

HRW recorded at least 478 executions by 27 May 2025, a substantial year-on-year increase, with convictions disproportionately affecting minorities and opponents.

State of the evidence

Documented

Pezeshkian signed emergency legislation adopted after the June 2025 war, substantially expanding the death penalty for acts described as collaboration with hostile states or espionage.

State of the evidence

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The Pezeshkian government's attempt to restore détente with the West did not prevent the return of international sanctions related to the nuclear programme.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

Faced with drought and decades of overexploitation and mismanagement, Pezeshkian warned that Tehran might have to ration water and, in an extreme scenario, evacuate part of its population.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

Parliament approved all 19 ministers proposed by Pezeshkian, including conservative and security figures, signalling a compromise with a power structure dominated by the Supreme Leader.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

Having described the 'hijab and chastity' law as ambiguous and difficult to enforce, Pezeshkian supported its revision; the Supreme National Security Council suspended its implementation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility