Iran Intensifies Asset Seizures Against Baha’is and Dissidents Amid Economic Crisis

Amid escalating US sanctions and rising living costs in Iran, human rights organizations report that Iranian authorities are increasingly targeting the assets of religious minorities and political critics. While ordinary Iranians struggle with inflation, members of the Baha’i faith appear to be bearing the brunt of a tightening crackdown.

The Baha’i community, which originated in 19th-century Persia, lacks official recognition under the Islamic Republic’s constitution. Unlike Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians, Baha’is are not protected by Article 13, leaving them exposed to systemic discrimination. The US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) documented a surge in arrests, home searches, and property seizures targeting Baha’is at the end of August.

Amnesty International stated that persecution has worsened since the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025. The group described a coordinated state campaign spreading disinformation and falsely accusing Baha’is of being spies and collaborators for Israel.

Padideh Sabeti, spokesperson for the International Baha’i Community, highlighted the compounded suffering faced by her community. “Under current conditions, all people in Iran are facing economic hardship and extremely difficult living conditions, barely putting food on the table for their families,” Sabeti said. She noted that discriminatory government practices specifically deprive Baha’is of the ability to earn a living. Furthermore, she revealed that the judiciary exploits poverty by demanding bail amounts equivalent to a hundred years’ wages for the average citizen.

The repression extends beyond religious minorities. Authorities have identified and seized assets belonging to over 400 individuals living abroad, labeling them as “supporters of the enemy.” This list includes actors, athletes, and journalists. Domestically, Sadegh Saedinia, manager of the “Saedinia” cafe chain, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, banned from operating his business for two years, and stripped of his assets after posting content related to anti-government protests in Qom.

Economic analysts suggest that while these seizures serve as tools of intimidation, their financial impact on the state is marginal. Arezoo Karimi, a London-based analyst, stated that resources gained through confiscations are “very, very insignificant” relative to Iran’s massive budget deficit. She added that confiscated properties are often sold below market value to individuals with political connections.

Sajjad Khodakarami, a journalist based in Paris, argued that the state is deploying repression tactics on a broader scale against journalists, activists, and artists. “When the Islamic Republic targets the assets of hundreds of people, it sends them a message: Even when you are beyond our physical reach, we will continue to apply pressure on you from all sides,” Khodakarami said.

Reports indicate that security forces have confiscated not only financial assets but also personal items during home raids, including gold, electronics, work tools, wedding rings, and children’s toys. Khodakarami condemned the seizure of household goods as a sign of “barbarism” that serves as a warning to all dissidents.

Karimi warned that the government’s reliance on money printing and subsidy rollbacks risks pushing Iran toward hyperinflation. She compared the potential trajectory to the economic collapses seen in Venezuela and Zimbabwe, where inflation rates became so extreme that commuting costs could double within a single day.

While asset seizures may generate limited funds for the security apparatus and act as a psychological weapon, analysts agree that the strategy cannot resolve Iran’s underlying economic structural issues or alleviate the financial pressures on its citizens.