In January 2026, the streets of Iran filled with people demanding dignity and freedom.
Students. Teachers. Mothers. Workers.
They marched knowing the risks.
The regime responded with devastating violence. Security forces opened fire, carried out mass arrests, and tried to silence an entire generation. Tens of thousands were killed or injured in one of the bloodiest crackdowns in the country’s modern history.
Now, amid the chaos of the ongoing war following the U.S. and Israeli invasion of Iran, the danger for activists inside the country has only grown.
Surveillance is everywhere. Phones are monitored. Social media is watched.
A message sent to the wrong person can lead to interrogation — or prison.
And yet, people continue to speak out. They document human rights abuses. They help injured protesters. They organize quietly inside their communities.
They refuse to give up on the idea that Iran can be free.
But courage alone cannot keep them safe.
In recent months, many activists detained during protests faced interrogation based on their online activity.
Authorities searched their phones and social media accounts, trying to build cases against them.
Our team helped them quickly secure or deactivate accounts such as X and Instagram — removing information authorities hoped to use as evidence.
In some cases, this helped prevent additional charges and contributed to their release.
These rapid interventions protect more than individuals. They protect entire networks — friends, colleagues, families — who might otherwise be exposed.
Through our Safe Activism initiative, United for Iran has already:
- Directly supported over 300 activists
- Helped more than 3,000 people adopt safer practices
- Created security handbooks and toolkits used daily by activists
- Launched an anonymous AI chatbot that provides real-time safety guidance
For activists facing constant surveillance, access to trusted guidance can mean the difference between safety and arrest.
But as the crisis in Iran expands, we need to do more.
In moments of repression and war, authoritarian governments rely on fear. They hope that arrests, violence, and surveillance will make people stop speaking.
But across Iran, brave individuals continue to stand up for human rights — often at enormous personal risk. They are defending the possibility of a different future.
The question is whether they will have the support they need to stay safe.
Over the next few months, we aim to support 100 more activists working under extreme risk.
We are also producing five new practical security booklets designed to reach activists inside Iran who have little access to reliable safety guidance.
Every resource we provide helps someone:
- Protect their identity.
- Protect their colleagues.
- Protect their ability to keep speaking out.
You can help provide activists with the tools they need to continue their work safely.
When you give, you are helping protect people who refuse to be silent in the face of injustice.
Stand with the people defending human rights in Iran.
Please make a donation today!