1. 1979 U.S. Embassy Hostage Crisis
Seizure of the U.S. Embassy and holding 52 American diplomats hostage for 444 days, in violation of international diplomatic law and constituting hostage-taking.
2. Post-1979 Revolutionary Executions and Persecution of the Old Elite (including wealthy businessmen and industrialists)
Widespread summary executions and property confiscations targeted individuals associated with the Shah’s regime, wealthy industrialists, landowners, merchants, and upper-class figures labeled as “corrupt on earth” or enemies of the revolution. Many prominent businessmen had their assets seized by revolutionary committees and foundations (bonyads).
3. Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) – Use of Chemical Weapons
Deployment of chemical weapons against Iranian civilians and troops, as well as against the Kurdish population (including the Halabja massacre in 1988).
4. Iran-Iraq War – Use of Child Soldiers and Human-Wave Attacks
Systematic deployment of child soldiers in suicidal human-wave assaults.
5. Iran-Iraq War – Attacks on Neutral Shipping
Attacks on civilian and neutral commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf.
6. 1988 Massacre of Political Prisoners
On orders from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, authorities carried out mass extrajudicial executions of thousands of political prisoners (primarily MEK supporters and leftists). Estimates range from approximately 2,800–5,000+ (Amnesty International minimum ~5,000). Bodies were dumped in unmarked mass graves. Amnesty International has classified elements of this as crimes against humanity, with ongoing enforced disappearances.
7. Systematic Executions and Persecution of Homosexuals (Ongoing since 1979)
Under Sharia-based law, male same-sex acts (lavat) carry the death penalty. Iran has executed hundreds to thousands of people for homosexuality/sodomy since the revolution (estimates range from several thousand overall). Executions have continued into recent years (documented cases in 2022 and later). Many cases involve entrapment, forced confessions, and unfair trials. This constitutes systematic persecution based on sexual orientation.
8. Support for International Terrorism
Founding, funding, and arming of Hezbollah and other proxy groups; involvement in major attacks including the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the 1994 AMIA bombing in Argentina.
9. 2009 Green Movement Crackdown
Violent suppression of post-election protests, including killings, mass arbitrary arrests, torture, and sexual violence in detention.
10. 2019 November Protests Crackdown
Security forces killed hundreds of largely peaceful protesters (estimates range from several hundred to over 1,000).
11. 2022–2023 “Woman, Life, Freedom” Protests Crackdown
Following the death in custody of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, security forces carried out a widespread and violent crackdown involving lethal force against protesters, arbitrary mass arrests (tens of thousands), torture, sexual violence, and executions. UN experts and fact-finding mechanisms have described patterns consistent with crimes against humanity.
12. Systematic Gender-Based Persecution
Enforcement of compulsory hijab laws through violence and arrests; widespread discrimination and violence against women and girls.
13. Persecution of Religious and Ethnic Minorities
Severe and systematic discrimination, arrests, property confiscation, and violence against Baha’is, Christians, Sunni Muslims, Kurds, Baloch, and other groups.
14. Proxy Warfare and Attacks on Civilians
Support for armed groups conducting attacks on civilian targets in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere; attacks on international commercial shipping.
B. Broken International Agreements and Commitments
15. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA / 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal)
Starting in 2019, Iran exceeded agreed limits on uranium enrichment levels (up to 60%), uranium stockpile size, and number/type of centrifuges. Iran also ceased implementing additional monitoring and verification measures required by the deal (documented in multiple IAEA reports).
16. IAEA Safeguards Agreement and Related Obligations
Repeated failures to provide full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and to resolve questions about possible undeclared nuclear activities.
17. UN Security Council Resolutions on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Multiple instances of non-compliance with relevant UNSC resolutions before and after the JCPOA.
Published by Editor, Sammy Campbell.