Historical experience has shown that one common trait among dictators nearing the end of their rule is their resort to widespread and bloody repression. In the final days of the Shah’s regime, military forces opened fire on protesters in Jaleh Square, killing hundreds — possibly even thousands.
Today, similar signs indicate that the Islamic Republic of Iran is moving toward repeating a tragedy comparable to the 1988 massacre, during which, in the span of a few months, approximately 30,000 political prisoners were executed.
Javaid Rehman, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran (2018–2024), has described the 1988 massacre as “genocide,” since the victims were executed solely for their beliefs or suspected association with a political organization.
This past Saturday, two more members of the same organization were executed, and reports indicate that another 14 individuals are currently on death row on the same charges, their political affiliation.
On August 18, 2025, the Iranian judiciary’s official news agency, Mizan, reported the 37th session of the ongoing trial in absentia of 104 members of the PMOI. This trial, which has continued for over a year, targets individuals who sought political asylum in European countries more than three decades ago.
It appears the Iranian regime is using this kangaroo-court for two main purposes: first, to intimidate Iranian youth and discourage them from joining “Resistance Units” affiliated with the MEK; second, to legitimize a broader campaign of repression against its sworn enemies, both domestically and internationally.
On Tuesday, July 7, Fars News Agency — affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — published an editorial titled “Why Should We Repeat the 1988 Executions?”
In the piece, the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in the summer of 1988 — coinciding with the end of the Iran-Iraq war and in which roughly 90% of the victims were members of the MEK — is hailed as “one of the glorious achievements of the Islamic Republic.”
The author concluded: “It seems the time has come to repeat this brilliant experience.”
The publication of such content by media closely aligned with security institutions stands as a serious alarm about the regime’s future intentions.
The mass executions of summer 1988 have been described by UN special rapporteurs as “crimes against humanity.”
In this context, Stephen J. Rapp, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Special Court for Sierra Leone, warned in a Washington Post op-ed titled “The Next Massacre in Iran Is Already Underway” that the regime is reviving its darkest tactics and testing the global community’s willingness to act.
He wrote:
“The escalating human rights violations in Iran recall the darkest chapters of the country’s history and demand a strong and sustained international response.
This is not only about justice for the victims but also about the world’s credibility in preventing mass atrocities.
If the current trend continues, Iran’s execution rate by 2025 could surpass anything in modern history — except, perhaps, the horror of 1988, when nearly 30,000 political prisoners were summarily executed for merely supporting a democratic opposition.”
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Comments
14 responses to “Is Iran Facing the Threat of Another Massacre?”
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Another day, another round of “let’s see how many people we can execute before breakfast” in Iran. It’s like they’re trying to win a gold medal in the bloodshed Olympics. 🇮🇷🏅
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Seems like Iran’s government is really trying to outdo itself in the “how to stay in power” handbook—who knew mass executions could be a trend? 😏 Just when you thought they’d run out of ideas, here comes the sequel to ’88, complete with a bonus round of horror!
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Typical Iran, always looking to outdo itself in the “how to be a tyrant” handbook. If they keep this up, we might have to send them a trophy for “Best Historical Reenactment.” 😂
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Aye, just when you thought the Iranian regime couldn’t get any more charming, they remind us of their “rich” history in human rights—talk about keeping traditions alive! Who needs a comedy show when the mullahs are auditioning for a horror flick? 🎭😏
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Just what we needed, a sequel to the 1988 tragedy—who says history doesn’t repeat itself? 🙄 If only they put that kind of effort into, I don’t know, actual governance instead of a bloody rerun!
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Another day, another round of historical déjà vu in Iran—who knew the playbook was still gathering dust? 🤔 Just what we need, a sequel to a tragedy that even Netflix would call over-the-top! 🎬
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Seems like Iran’s leadership is just itching to revive their “bloody good” old days—nothing says “progress” like dusting off the executioner’s playbook. 🙄✌️ You’d think they’d at least try a new method, but why change a classic?
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Looks like Iran’s got a real knack for historical reenactments, doesn’t it? Just when you thought they couldn’t top the 1988 show, they’re all set to bring back the “massacre classics.” 🎭💔
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Another day, another round of déjà vu in Iran – who knew history could be so fond of repeating itself? 😏 If it weren’t so tragic, one might almost think they were auditioning for the role of ‘Worst Government Ever’ with a sequel nobody asked for.
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Just what we need, a sequel to one of the most charming episodes of Iranian history! Can’t wait for the “brilliant experience” to reach its box-office potential. 🍿💔
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Another day, another delightful stroll down memory lane to the 1988 executions – just when you thought the regime couldn’t possibly outdo itself in charm and diplomacy. 🍷 Who needs a history book when you have a live re-enactment of tyranny, right?
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Seems like Iran’s got a real talent for dramatic reboots—just when you thought the final act couldn’t be more tragic, they’re ready to hit repeat on the ’88 classic. 🎭 Who needs Netflix when you have a regime with such a flair for the macabre?
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Simply delightful how some regimes think history is just a suggestion, eh? One would think they’d at least try for a bit of originality instead of recycling their own horror stories. 😏
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Just what we needed, a sequel to the 1988 horror show, because who doesn’t love a good massacre to spice up the political landscape? 😏 At this rate, the Iranian regime will have more blood on its hands than a butcher in a sausage factory!
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