Iranian Jewish community members were arrested on suspicion of cooperation with Israel, according to activists around the world. Those rounded up by Iran's security forces were rabbis and community leaders in Tehran and Shiraz. Members of one family had their phones and computers confiscated. The women were released while the men remained in custody.
Iranian media posted photos of a Jewish community gathering in support of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the military.
Naz, an Iranian activist living in the United States, raised the alarm in a post on Instagram, saying she was told by a friend in Iran that security forces were entering the homes and Jews and taking them away to an unknown location.
When the regime is under threat, it takes it out on the minorities, she said and asked to spread the word that the Jews in Iran need help.
Rabbanit Mazal, who lives near the Mexico border, also expressed concern about her community. “The situation for Jews in Iran is very bad. Many have been arrested, and we need divine mercy. Our community is very shaken, and there have been calls for prayer,” she shared in one of the WhatsApp messages circulated over the past week: “Hey friends, please take a moment and pray for the Jewish people in Iran. Apparently, at least 850 Jews have been arrested so far. Entire families are being detained. Homes are being looted. Devices have been confiscated. They are in terrifying conditions. Please. This is not on the internet — these are reports from family members still there.”
Dr. Tamar Eilam Gindin, an Iran expert at Haifa University, said that although the Iranian regime has tried to appear as providing full freedom to the Jewish community, the reality is more complex. "Jews in Iran are sort of hostages held for propaganda purposes. The alleged fair treatment of Jews, the fact that they are represented by a lawmaker in parliament and are free to work in any profession, is so that the Iranians can claim that they are not antisemitic, only anti-Zionist.
Dr. Homayoun Sameh, the Jewish member of Iran's legislature, called on Iran to respond to the "Zionist aggression." In a statement put out jointly with a community leader, he said the Jews are always grateful to the regime.
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Last week, during the Israeli bombing campaign in Iran, he urged Jews to avoid any form of celebration—even in private homes or preschools—despite the fact that recent Israeli airstrikes have targeted only military and nuclear sites.
"I strongly advise you to take this final warning very seriously.” He specifically prohibited bar mitzvahs, weddings, family gatherings and festive events, whether at home or in educational institutions, while the IDF attacks were continuing.
There are an estimated 9,000 Jews living in Iran, the largest Jewish community in the Middle East, outside Israel. Most are centered in Tehran and smaller communities are found in Shiraz, Isfahan and Kirmaşan.