Political activists within Iran are facing a compounded crisis, enduring intense state repression while grappling with the pervasive anxiety of potential war. For individuals like Shirin, a pseudonym used to protect her identity, the daily reality in Tehran is marked by constant fear—the sound of aircraft, the possibility of bombs, and the news of friends being detained. This sustained psychological pressure has led to symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, impacting her physical well-being.

Shirin describes a profound sense of helplessness, exacerbated by the regime’s displays of strength and the loss of public spaces for protest following the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. Her first arrest, which occurred in 2024 after the death of Mahsa Amini in custody, involved a confrontation with secret police. The experience left her with a suspended sentence and a two-month gag order, a constant reminder of the regime’s control. She notes that any future arrest would likely be far more severe, citing reports of human rights violations, serious injury, and death among detainees, with estimates of over 50,000 arrests since recent protests and credible allegations of torture intensifying since a regional conflict began.

The ongoing conflict has added another layer of trauma. While initially experiencing a grim satisfaction at the reported deaths of regime military personnel, Shirin was deeply affected by the civilian casualties, particularly a bombing that killed 25 people in a newly constructed building. This dual burden of state oppression and external conflict has severely strained Iran’s mental health infrastructure. Reports from the Iranian Red Crescent indicate a surge in calls to helplines, and medical professionals describe patients overwhelmed by anxiety and distress, struggling with limited access to psychological support due to underfunding and contract issues.

Despite the hardships, activists like Shirin remain committed to their cause, believing that enduring these difficulties is necessary for the nation’s survival. However, the fear of intensified repression following any potential end to hostilities looms large. Shirin expressed a willingness to accept imprisonment if it means Iran remains intact, reflecting a deep-seated, albeit weary, patriotism amidst profound personal suffering.