Iran detains hardline cleric, prisoners launch hunger strike against executions, and a US-Jewish jeweler is released from Evin Prison.

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The regime continues its severe crackdown on dissent, evidenced by the detention of a prominent cleric, new death sentences for protesters, and a widespread prisoner hunger strike. Executions remain high, and threats against journalists persist, indicating a deteriorating human rights situation.

📌 Key developments

• Iran's judiciary confirmed the detention of hardline cleric Mohammad-Bagher Kharrazi, who called for replacing the Islamic Republic with a more hardline 'Islamic government'; his case is under preliminary investigation at the Special Clerical Court.
• Prisoners in 62 prisons across Iran initiated a hunger strike on Tuesday as part of the 'No to Executions Tuesdays Campaign,' protesting the issuance and implementation of death sentences.
• The Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced Taraneh Rahimi, a protester arrested during the January 2026 nationwide protests, to death.
• Authorities executed at least 11 individuals by hanging in the past week.
• A 71-year-old American Jewish jeweler from New York was released from Tehran's Evin Prison after approximately four years behind bars, though he remains barred from leaving Iran.
• Satirist Shaker Bouri was sentenced by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court II of Abadan to 13 months and 20 days in prison and a fine of 45 million rials for 'disseminating false information' and 'insulting a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.'
• Amnesty International released a briefing calling for an independent investigation into deadly US-Israeli coalition attacks on densely populated Tehran neighborhoods in March 2026, which killed and injured dozens of civilians.
• The European Union expressed deep concern over the sharp increase in recorded executions in Iran in the past year, noting it as the highest pace in decades.
• Canada vowed action against transnational repression after senior Iranian armed forces spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi threatened Persian-language journalists abroad with being included on a 'bank of military targets.'
• [September 7] Iran doubled the price of gasoline bought outside subsidized quotas, effective today, raising fears of renewed public unrest.

💡 Why it matters

These developments underscore the regime's escalating repression against dissent, both internal and external, and its continued reliance on capital punishment. The detention of a cleric like Kharrazi signals potential instability within the hardline factions, while the prisoner hunger strike and international condemnation highlight the severe human rights crisis.

🎭 People in the news

• Mohammad-Bagher Kharrazi — Hardline cleric detained for advocating a more hardline 'Islamic government' to replace the current Islamic Republic.
• Taraneh Rahimi — Protester from the January 2026 uprising sentenced to death by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.
• Shaker Bouri — Satirist sentenced to prison and a fine for 'disseminating false information' and 'insulting a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.'
• Abolfazl Shekarchi — Senior spokesperson for Iran's armed forces who threatened Persian-language journalists abroad with being included on a 'bank of military targets.'
• Ali Moezzi — Veteran political prisoner who marked the 61st anniversary of the PMOI's founding from Ghezel Hesar Prison, highlighting decades of resistance.

👀 What to watch

• Further details or reactions regarding the detention of Mohammad-Bagher Kharrazi.
• The continuation and impact of the 'No to Executions Tuesdays Campaign' hunger strike.
• Any public response or protests related to the gasoline price increase.