Exclusive Report from a Hellhole called Rasht's Lakan Prison + Many Iranian WomenFace Death Threats
Inside the Hell of Rasht’s Lakan Prison
IranWire has obtained details regarding the living conditions of prisoners held in the “Misaq” ward of Lakan Prison in Rasht, the designated facility for political and ideological prisoners. Jamshid Azizi, a former political prisoner and former roommate of Manouchehr Falah and Peyman Farah-Avar, two political prisoners sentenced to death who recently fled Iran, told IranWire that inmates have been held in a tiny environment for years without even having access to fresh air. According to him, cameras and listening devices monitor every corner, including the toilets, while prisoners are deprived of edible food and medical care when ill.
How Iran's Judicial System Fails Women Facing Death Threats
On the morning of Tuesday, July 7, news of the murder of an employee at an Iran Insurance office in Masjed Soleyman sent shockwaves through the community. Shortly before this, IranWire had been informed of the death of a 14-year-old girl named Setayesh, whose relatives reported that she had taken her own life. Now, two sisters in Masjed Soleyman who are under immediate threat of violence have told IranWire that unless legal action is taken, one sister’s ex-husband, who is also a relative, will end their lives and those of their children. Why are women left so unprotected, and why are their formal complaints so routinely ignored?
Bombs, Blackouts, and Fear: The Human Cost of War in Baluchestan
Following the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and Donald Trump’s official declaration ending the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, full-scale warfare has engulfed Iran’s southern provinces. While state media and officials dismiss the bombs, missiles, and drones raining down on cities and infrastructure during every wave of U.S. attacks as mere “projectiles,” the human and material toll continues to mount.
Lawmaker Warns of Critical Drug Shortage in Iran
Jafar Miadfar, head of Iran’s Emergency Medical Services Organization, outlined the Ministry of Health’s measures to address heatstroke among Arbaeen pilgrims, stating that the required pharmaceutical reserves had been prepared across all six border crossings, including the stockpiling of approximately 300,000 units of IV fluids. According to Miadfar, these supplies were coordinated with the Ministry of Health’s Food and Drug Administration, ensuring “zero concern” regarding the supply of serum and essential medicines for pilgrims, mirroring last year’s operations.
Bab-el-Mandeb Strait: The Red Sea New Crisis and Iran’s Playing Card
Although the bombs across Iran have fallen silent over the past three days, the region remains fraught with serious tensions. Part of this volatility is unfolding in the southwestern Middle East within the ongoing conflict between Yemen and Saudi Arabia - an arena where Tehran sees its Bab-el-Mandeb bargaining chip. This dynamic became starkly visible as Yemeni Defense Minister Mohammad al-Atifi declared: “We emphasize that if the blockade on the people of Yemen continues, our armed forces stand ready to execute any order issued by the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” His stance signals that Yemen has entered the conflict equation at the behest of the Islamic Republic, having already “completely” closed the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi shipping.
U.S. Condemns Executions in Iran: “The World Is Watching”
Riley Barnes, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, condemned recent executions in Iran and called for the release of all political prisoners in a post on the social media platform X.
“We condemn the Iranian regime’s execution of its own citizens—brave young Iranians targeted simply for raising their voices,” Barnes wrote.
Iran Secures Fuel for Arbaeen Pilgrims, Urges Citizens to Conserve Petrol
Mohammad Sadeq Azimifar, CEO of the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC), pointed to rising fuel consumption during the summer months of Mordad and Shahrivar (July to September), urging citizens to avoid using personal vehicles whenever possible and instead rely on public transportation for both urban and intercity travel.
After “Code 110”: What Are Iran’s Playing Cards in the Ongoing War?
“Nobody in the meeting had the heart to say that the Supreme Leader might be martyred; hence, we used Code 110.”
With this revelation regarding the pre-war deliberations of the Supreme National Security Council, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disclosed that the decision to close the Strait of Hormuz in the event of the Supreme Leader’s assassination had been planned well in advance. Following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, this contingency plan was activated, sparking a severe crisis between Tehran and Washington that ultimately escalated into the Third Gulf War.
‘Negotiations Are Off the Table’: Iranian MP Says Tehran Has Entered ‘Offensive Phase’
Fada-Hossein Maleki, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, dismissed speculation regarding the “possibility of resuming negotiations between Iran and the United States,” claiming that the Islamic Republic has moved beyond deterrence and entered an “offensive phase.”
Speaking to the ILNA news agency on Monday, July 27, Maleki stated that, under current conditions, negotiations between Tehran and Washington are “completely out of the question,” describing American statements about diplomacy as “Trump’s attempt to run away from reality.”
Iranian Vice Speaker Threatens Ukraine Over Caspian Activity
Hamid-Reza Haji-Babai, Vice Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Iranian Parliament), issued a stern warning to Ukraine on Monday, July 27, 2026, during his pre-agenda address at a parliamentary session held via webinar. He stated that any “mischief” in the region or the Caspian Sea would be met with a “regrettable response from the great Iranian nation.”
Iran’s Chief Justice Warns Region Against Trusting US, Says ‘Enemy Will Not Relent’
Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, Chief Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, described the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage as a symbol of the “soft power of the Islamic Ummah” during a meeting of the Supreme Judiciary Council on Monday, July 27. Simultaneously criticising the United States and regional governments, he warned that trusting Washington and relying on its promises yields nothing but defeat.
Stating that “the soft power of the Islamic Ummah, generated by the passion and fervour of Arbaeen, is matchless,” Mohseni-Ejei asserted that certain regional rulers must realise that trusting the U.S. and “taking heart in the promises of the Great Satan” brings only failure and ruin.Read more →
Al-Sharaa: Syria Is Working Toward a Security Agreement With Israel
Ahmad al-Sharaa, President of Syria, announced in an interview with Al Jazeera on Monday, July 27, that Damascus, with the involvement of several nations, is working to reach a security agreement with Israel.
Al-Sharaa expressed hope that such an agreement could pave the way for a “comprehensive peace” without compromising “Syria’s rights over the Golan Heights.”
The Syrian President also warned that any descent into chaos in Lebanon would have immediate and direct consequences for Syria, adding that the expansion of the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran could have serious repercussions for the entire region.
Baha’i Prisoner Denied Family Contact in Shiraz
Nahid Falahati, a Baha’i citizen detained in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, remains in temporary detention and legal uncertainty 35 days after her arrest. According to informed sources, she has been denied phone calls and family visits for approximately a week, leaving her relatives without any information regarding her physical condition or legal status.
Following her initial arrest, Falahati was similarly denied all contact and visitation with her family for a week. She was subsequently granted telephone privileges and allowed a single in-person family visit during her month-long detention, though her husband was barred from seeing her.
62-Year-Old Baha’i Prisoner Denied Medical Furlough Despite Critical Health Concerns
According to information received by IranWire, Neda Badakhsh, a 62-year-old Baha’i citizen, remains incarcerated in Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan despite suffering from severe medical conditions, including diabetes, osteoarthritis, joint inflammation, chronic bone pain and sciatica.
Sources close to Badakhsh report that her health condition is critical, yet prison authorities continue to ignore repeated requests for medical furlough or specialised care.
Badakhsh surrendered herself to Dowlatabad Prison on December 27, 2025, to begin serving a five-year sentence. During her imprisonment, she developed sciatica, but despite experiencing acute pain and requiring urgent intervention, authorities have refused to transfer her to an outside medical facility.
Supreme Court Upholds 99-Lash Sentence Against Actor Pejman Jamshidi
The news outlet Emtedad reported that the conviction of actor Pejman Jamshidi, who was sentenced to 99 lashes on charges of “illicit relations” (rabeteh-ye nasher’i), has been officially upheld following a review by the Supreme Court of Iran.
Journalist Elaheh Mohammadi, quoting the complainant in the case, Melika Parsadoust, wrote that Branch 9 of Tehran’s Criminal Court I issued the initial ruling, which was subsequently affirmed in full by Branch 29 of the Supreme Court following an appeal.
According to the report, the charge was tried under Article 637 of the Islamic Penal Code (Discretionary Punishments section). Under this statute, illicit relations carry a penalty of up to 99 lashes; in cases where the act is committed under duress or coercion, the punishment applies exclusively to the coercing party. Emtedad noted that both Criminal Court I and the Supreme Court handed down the 99-lash sentence solely to Pejman Jamshidi.