OFFICIAL STATEMENT — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. International Center for Human Rights (ICHR) Toronto, Canada – June 19, 2025

The Islamic Republic’s War Is Not Iran’s War

Internet Blackout, Civilian Risk, and a Looming Crackdown Demand Global Action

The International Center for Human Rights (ICHR) expresses grave concern over the rapidly escalating conflict involving the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, and the regime’s deliberate efforts to silence its own population through a nationwide internet blackout.

“The Islamic Republic does not represent the people of Iran. Its war with Israel is not the Iranian people’s war”, said Ardeshir Zarezadeh, ICHR President. He added: “This is a regime-driven conflict rooted in decades of oppression, terrorism, and regional aggression by the Islamic Republic and its Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)”.

Ordinary Iranians reject this war and have consistently demanded peace, freedom, and justice.

ICHR is deeply concerned that the regime and its IRGC forces may now begin targeting Iranian civilians and public infrastructure to fabricate victimhood and falsely accuse external enemies. We have already received credible reports of regime-linked attacks inside Iran that appear staged for propaganda purposes.

We fear this blackout will be used, once again, as a shield to commit mass atrocities, behind a digital curtain of silence. When the world cannot see, the regime acts with impunity.

Whenever the Islamic Republic feels threatened, it turns violently inward. We have seen this before:

Peaceful protesters detained and tortured.

Young girls and boys shot in the streets.

Dissidents disappeared without a trace.

Families silenced by fear.

Now, as pressure mounts, we are deeply concerned the regime is preparing for another violent crackdown to stop its own collapse.

ICHR Urgently Calls on the International Community to:

Demand the full and immediate restoration of internet and communication access in Iran.

Publicly warn the regime against targeting its own people, and ensure an independent investigation into all attacks on civilians in Iran and Israel by the IRGC.

Hold the Islamic Republic and the IRGC accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Stand with the people of Iran, not the regime.

Provide urgent humanitarian support, secure communication tools, and medical aid.

Specifically, we urge Canada and other countries to create an emergency visa program for at-risk Iranians whose lives are now in danger.

“The Islamic Republic is not a legitimate government. It is a criminal terrorist regime that has murdered its own citizens for more than four decades. And now, it is using war, censorship, and fear to survive one more day”. Said Ardeshir Zarezadeh, ICHR President.

To end the conflict and oppression, this regime must go, and it will fall if the people rise and if the world finally stands with them.

The time to act is now.

International Center for Human Rights (ICHR)