Self-immolation accounts for about 16% of burn hospitalizations in Iran, with women and young people making up a significant share of victims and mortality rates reaching 62%, the head of the country's burn association said on Sunday.
The figures come from an analysis of 39 studies conducted across Iran, which estimated the incidence of self-immolation at approximately 4.5 cases per 100,000 people, Hamid Salehi, head of the Iranian Burn Association, told the ILNA news agency.
"Self-immolation is not merely a medical issue, but a social and public health problem that requires cooperation between the healthcare system, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and institutions responsible for preventing social harm," Salehi said.
The research found that people who attempted self-immolation suffered burns covering an average of 65% of their bodies, with approximately 62% dying after hospitalization.
Salehi described the severity of injuries and death rates as deeply concerning, particularly given the substantial proportion of women and young people among those affected.
The findings were based on previous studies, and an accurate assessment of the present situation would require a comprehensive and up-to-date national registry, Salehi added.
Economic pressures and mental health concerns
The figures come as worsening economic, political and social crises in Iran have heightened concerns about the psychological pressures facing the population.
Iranian society is approaching an emergency in mental health and social welfare, with uncertainty stemming from the country's prolonged state of neither war nor peace placing severe pressure on citizens, Alireza Aghayousefi, head of Iran's Psychology and Counseling Organization, warned on October 25.
A person seeking welfare assistance set themselves on fire in protest against a medical committee's decision, Alireza Vahidzadeh, head of the Welfare Organization in Kerman province, said on October 28.
In August, human rights news agency HRANA reported that Souma Moghaddami, an 18-year-old woman from Piranshahr who had been subjected to child marriage, died in hospital from injuries sustained after setting herself on fire.
The cases add to concerns about self-immolation as a form of self-harm linked to wider social and psychological distress.
Acid attacks leave lasting physical and psychological injuries
Chemical burns account for approximately 3% of burn-related hospital visits and admissions in Iran, Salehi said.
Some result from accidents at home or in workplaces, while others stem from deliberate acid attacks and interpersonal violence.
Research conducted in Shiraz found that intentional acid attacks accounted for approximately 29% of chemical burn cases, according to Salehi.
"Although acid attacks are less common than other causes of burns, they are particularly significant because of the severity of physical injuries, permanent disfigurement, facial damage, and psychological and social consequences," Salehi said.
Victims can face years of reconstructive surgery, substantial medical expenses, unemployment and social exclusion.
New acid attack cases continue to be referred to support organizations, while survivors and their families struggle with the long-term consequences of such violence, the Shargh newspaper reported in a September 23 investigation titled Unfinished Wounds.
The report described how the financial and psychological consequences of acid attacks can transform the lives of victims and their families long after the initial injuries.
Sanctions and inflation hamper burn treatment
Sanctions, inflation and rising prices have made it increasingly difficult for Iranian medical facilities to obtain essential burn treatment supplies, Salehi said.
Specialized burn dressings, medical equipment and certain medications, including antibiotics, have become harder to procure, with shortages and purchasing difficulties worsening over the past year.
The problems add pressure to a healthcare system treating patients who often require extensive medical intervention, prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation.
Mental health specialists recommend encouraging anyone showing signs of depression or suicidal thoughts to seek support from a trusted healthcare professional, support organization or someone they trust.
Some inside Iran may be focused on Benjamin Netanyahu's political survival after Israel's inconclusive election, but the most consequential decision about another war with Iran may be made in Washington rather than Israel, analysts say.
Netanyahu's promise to "finish the job" in Iran has offered a ray of hope to some Iranians seeking the end of the Islamic Republic.
But Middle East analysts speaking to Iran International's Eye for Iran podcast challenged the idea that Netanyahu's return is essential to further military action against Tehran, arguing that Israel's political divisions do not necessarily extend to its assessment of the Iranian threat.
Instead, they pointed to President Donald Trump's remaining time in office as a potentially decisive factor in whether Israel and the United States launch another round of strikes against Iran.
Dan Feferman, a Middle East researcher and co-founder of Middle East 24, cautioned against interpreting Israel's political divisions through the traditional American left-right framework.
‘No soft approach on Iran’
He argued that an Israeli government led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, particularly one involving former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, would not necessarily approach the Iranian threat significantly differently from Netanyahu.
The divisions between Israel's political camps extend well beyond Iran, encompassing disputes over Netanyahu's handling of the October 7, 2023, security failures, the subsequent wars and military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Israelis.
Alex Winston, news editor of The Jerusalem Post, offered a similar assessment, arguing that Netanyahu's principal rivals would not necessarily pursue a softer approach toward the Islamic Republic.
But Winston drew an important distinction between confronting the Islamic Republic militarily and assuming responsibility for overthrowing it.
He argued that most Israelis would prefer to support Iranians seeking political change rather than have Israel itself be seen as the country that brought down the Islamic Republic.
That distinction raises a fundamental question about Netanyahu's repeated promise to "finish the job" in Iran: does it mean further weakening the Islamic Republic's military capabilities, or actively pursuing its removal from power?
Why Trump may matter more
Feferman pointed to the remaining two years of Trump's presidency as a potentially decisive window for further military action.
A future American president, particularly a Democrat, would be far less likely to support or participate in additional strikes against Iran, Feferman argued.
Netanyahu appeared to reinforce that argument in his first address following the October 27 election, in which his Likud party emerged as the largest but neither his bloc nor the opposition secured a clear parliamentary majority.
"Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is stronger than ever," he declared. "Israel stands before a historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with our partner President Trump, to remove the existential threat from Iran once and for all."
The remarks placed Iran at the centre of Netanyahu's plans for another term, even as his path to forming a government remained uncertain.
Israel has its own security interests and military capabilities, but US political backing remains central to its leaders' calculations.
‘We want Bibi’
The Israeli election has nevertheless attracted considerable interest among Iranians hoping for the Islamic Republic's downfall.
Benjamin Basire, an Iranian-born Jewish political analyst living in the United States, said some had followed the vote as though it were their own, contacting him with messages expressing hope that Netanyahu would remain in power.
"We want Bibi. Bibi is our savior," he recalled them saying, adding that some feared Netanyahu's departure would extinguish their hopes of political change.
Netanyahu has already overseen two rounds of Israeli attacks on Iran, in 2025 and 2026, as well as operations that killed senior Iranian military commanders and severely weakened Hezbollah, Tehran's most powerful regional ally.
But with the prospect of another confrontation looming, the question is whether Israel will act again, and with what degree of American support.
Winston suggested that the prospect of renewed fighting was already shaping expectations in Israel, pointing to the approaching US midterm elections as a potential turning point.
"We're already preparing for war," he warned.
"We're ready. That's for sure."
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Iranian security forces and plainclothes officers broke up a Halloween gathering in central Tehran on Friday evening, beating and detaining people and forcing nearby cafes to close, witnesses told Iran International.
Young people wearing Halloween costumes and makeup had gathered on Iranshahr Street, near Tehran's Artists Park, when police blocked the road. Basij members and plainclothes security personnel then moved in to disperse the crowd.
Members of the Basij, a paramilitary force affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and plainclothes security personnel then moved in to disperse the crowd.
An eyewitness said the operation extended beyond those celebrating Halloween, with families spending the evening in Artists Park also ordered to leave.
"It was like the protests. They were running after people and shouting, 'Disperse!'" the witness told Iran International.
The witness said officers ordered families to run and leave the area, describing the presence of Basij members, plainclothes personnel and pickup trucks.
Security forces arrest Halloween revelers, shut down Tehran cafes
The eyewitness said they saw people being arrested on Iranshahr Street.
Other information received by Iran International indicated that several people were beaten and cafes in the area were forced to close by security personnel.
The witness also reported seeing people carrying Islamic Republic flags in another part of the street.
The exact number of people detained and the extent of any injuries were not immediately clear.
Authorities ban Halloween celebrations
The incident followed a directive from Iran's Chamber of Guilds, a national body overseeing trade associations, prohibiting Halloween celebrations in public venues and businesses.
The organization warned that cafes, restaurants and other hospitality establishments could face closure and legal action for hosting or even advertising Halloween events.
It said the restrictions were intended to protect the country's "cultural, religious and social values."
Iranian authorities have repeatedly sought to restrict Halloween celebrations, which have become increasingly popular among younger Iranians despite official opposition to what authorities regard as Western cultural influences.
In October last year, the Chamber of Guilds issued a similar ban covering Halloween-themed gatherings, advertising and merchandise, warning that businesses violating the rules could be shut down and their managers referred to judicial authorities.
Halloween crackdown extends to other cities
Authorities also took action against Halloween celebrations in Yazd and Qazvin provinces.
In Yazd, provincial prosecutor Mehdi Hassanpour said organizers of Halloween events in Yazd and Ardakan had been summoned for questioning and a venue had been sealed.
He said the measures followed public complaints about women appearing without mandatory hijab and men and women attending a party together, according to the judiciary's provincial public relations office, cited by Didban Iran.
In Qazvin, police said on Saturday that 19 businesses had been identified and shut down as part of a campaign against Halloween celebrations, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
Reza Esmailpour, head of the provincial police department overseeing public businesses, said the establishments had published Halloween-related images and promotional material.
He said authorities had also initiated legal proceedings against those involved as part of efforts to prevent the spread of what police described as Western culture and lifestyles.
Iranian outlet questions crackdown on Halloween
The security operation also drew criticism in Iranian media.
In a Friday article titled "The government's battle with the pumpkin," Iranian news website Rouydad24 questioned the authorities' approach to young people's cultural choices.
"What is the benefit of a security crackdown on people's lifestyles?" the outlet asked.
It described the restrictions on Halloween celebrations as part of a broader policy of confronting the cultural preferences of younger Iranians.
"Despite years of threats, warnings and business closures, this celebration remains popular among the younger generation," Rouydad24 wrote.
The outlet said the continued popularity of Halloween reflected a cultural divide that prohibitions and police action had failed to close.
The latest incident comes amid tighter enforcement of social restrictions in Iran, including rules governing dress and public gatherings, as the country faces the economic and political pressures of the ongoing war with the United States.
Arab states remain open to negotiations with Iran but need a reciprocal response from Tehran, the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said on Saturday, as senior regional officials warned of a more destructive phase of the US-Iran war.
The warnings came at the 22nd IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, where ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Syria and Yemen addressed Iranian attacks, Houthi operations and the growing risks to regional security.
"The GCC states have always called for dialogue and negotiation to resolve any issue in the region, and they still do," GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi said.
He said the six-member bloc maintained open channels with Iran alongside its partnerships with Western powers, China, Russia and other countries.
"In a region of widening divides, this ability to talk to all sides is one of the few assets left," he said.
"But diplomacy needs partners, partners who respond in kind."
Egypt warns next round of war could be more destructive
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed concern about renewed fighting between Washington and Tehran, warning that another escalation could have wider consequences.
"The second round will be more dangerous, more destructive, and it will lead to nowhere. We have to draw lessons from the past," Abdelatty said, according to Reuters.
He also warned that military action could unleash consequences beyond the control of those who initiated it.
"A war can begin with a unilateral decision, but no one can unilaterally control its consequences or stop it," he told the conference.
Abdelatty called for diplomatic channels, confidence-building measures and regional participation in security arrangements, warning against repeating what he described as mistakes during negotiations over the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.
"Deterrence without diplomacy may postpone war, but cannot prevent it," he said.
Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb emerge as major concerns
Al Budaiwi called for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to return to conditions before February 28, when the US-Iran war began.
He said Iranian attacks on GCC member states had caused casualties and damaged civilian and critical infrastructure, while disruptions to the strait had affected energy prices, shipping, insurance and global supply chains.
"The GCC states were not a party to the war and did not seek it," he said.
Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji also warned about threats to international trade through the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
"Securing navigation in the Red Sea and the Straits of Bab el Mandeb and Hormuz is a shared responsibility that requires regional and international cooperation based on the respect of international law," he said.
He condemned renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and threats to commercial shipping, accusing the group of undermining diplomatic efforts to end the Yemen conflict.
Yemen points to Iranian support for Houthis
Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba directly linked regional maritime threats to outside support for the Houthis.
"The UN panel of experts on Yemen has shown that all the support being given to the Houthis from Iran, from Iraqi armed groups and Hezbollah has been proven," she said, citing findings she attributed to UN experts.
Al-Zouba called for efforts to stop weapons and financing reaching the group, warning of its connections with other armed organizations.
She also cited information received in 2025 about cooperation between the Houthis and Somalia's al-Shabab militant group involving weapons and training.
"Coastal security starts with security on land and the protection of civilians," she said, arguing that restoring Yemeni state authority was essential to protecting maritime routes.
Britain pledges military support alongside diplomacy
British Middle East Minister Stephen Doughty said the UK had deployed air defense equipment and personnel to Saudi Arabia to help protect against missiles and drones following renewed Houthi attacks.
He said British forces had also flown defensive missions over Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and the UAE during Iranian attacks and provided air defense support to Bahrain and Kuwait.
"We are clear and united in understanding the threat that is posed by Iran and the very serious threats from Iran and its proxies," Doughty said.
He reiterated Britain's opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons while promising continued diplomatic engagement.
"We must strain every sinew for peace," he said, adding that Britain would support threatened partners "with actions and not just words."
Syria condemns attacks on Arab countries
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also condemned missile and drone attacks on regional states, pledging support for Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Jordan.
"We are against using Syria to threaten the neighboring countries," he said.
Al-Shaibani said Damascus was working to consolidate state control over weapons and strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries.
The remarks reflected a common theme at the conference: calls for diplomacy with Iran alongside demands for stronger defenses, an end to attacks on Arab countries and restored freedom of navigation.
Al Budaiwi said the GCC's offer of regional cooperation remained open.
"This invitation still stands for those who answer it with action," he said.
An Iranian Baha’i photojournalist sentenced to 26 years in prison has been denied the right to a standard appeal, a source close to his family told Iran International on Friday, as authorities continued to put pressure on members of the religious minority.
The restrictions on Artin Ghazanfari's appeal come as a court upheld another Baha’i man's prison sentence in northern Iran and security agents seized belongings from three Baha’i homes in the central city of Isfahan.
Ghazanfari, held at Greater Tehran Prison, can challenge his sentence only through the Supreme Court rather than a regular appeals court, the source said.
The developments are the latest in a series of judicial and security measures involving Iran's Baha’i community, the country's largest non-Muslim religious minority, whose faith is not officially recognized by the Islamic Republic.
Journalist sentenced to 26 years, denied medical care
Ghazanfari was sentenced by Branch 15 of Tehran's Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
His sentence includes 20 years for "media-related activities," five years for "assembly and collusion" and one year for "propaganda against the state."
A source close to his family said the judge applied Iran's law on increased espionage penalties to impose a 20-year sentence for an offense that would otherwise carry a 10-year prison term.
The source said Ghazanfari was given only 10 days instead of the usual 20 to challenge the ruling and was required to choose a lawyer from a list approved by the head of the judiciary.
His lawyer was also denied an opportunity to speak with the judge, according to the source.
Ghazanfari, who was arrested at his Tehran home in January, has also been barred from joining political groups, engaging in social media activities and leaving the country. Authorities ordered the confiscation of his mobile phone.
HRANA reported that Ghazanfari suffers from heart failure, high blood pressure and asthma but has been denied specialist medical treatment outside prison despite recommendations from prison doctors.
Court upholds sentence over Baha’i religious activities
In a separate case, the ninth branch of the Mazandaran Court of Appeals upheld a sentence of seven months and 16 days in prison against Noyan Hejazi, a Baha’i resident of Jouybar in northern Iran, sources familiar with the case told Iran International.
The court also upheld a ban on exercising social rights for 10 years and one day.
Hejazi was convicted of "promoting the Baha’i faith" and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic" on social media.
Court documents cited activities including organizing recreational camps and music classes for young people, possessing Baha’i religious books and publishing material critical of the Islamic Republic online.
The appeals court rejected his objections and upheld the lower court's ruling. It also cited his lack of cooperation during questioning and what it described as ineffective denials of the accusations.
Security forces arrested Hejazi at his home in June 2025 without presenting a judicial warrant, according to sources familiar with the case. He was released on bail in August.
His wife was also detained while seeking information about him at a detention center in Sari and was later released on bail.
Security agents seize jewelry and belongings from three homes
In Isfahan, 10 plainclothes agents raided three homes belonging to Baha’i families on October 27, seizing jewelry, cash, electronic devices and household belongings, sources told Iran International.
The homes belonged to Raouf Rouhani Najafabadi, his mother Ferdous Ferdousian and his mother-in-law Forough Darab.
According to the sources, the masked agents spent six hours searching the properties and removed nine mobile phones, three televisions, three laptops, cameras, four musical instruments, more than 15 suitcases and bags, and over 30 million tomans in cash.
They also seized gold and jewelry, along with household items including a bag of sugar, an air pump and a ladder.
The sources said agents used pliers to cut two gold bracelets from the wrist of a woman in the family and removed a necklace belonging to an elderly relative.
The agents told Rouhani Najafabadi and his daughter that they would contact them later, according to the sources.
Days before the raids, Rouhani Najafabadi's wife, Taraneh Khosravani, had received a summons to appear before a court handling property confiscation cases under Article 49 of Iran's Constitution.
The court deals with confiscation proceedings and is linked to the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order, an organization that manages extensive assets in Iran.
Sources said dozens of Baha’i families in Isfahan had received similar court notices over the past year, while raids and property seizures had increased.
International concern over treatment of Bahais
The cases come as Iran faces renewed international criticism over its treatment of religious minorities.
Representatives of Britain and Italy condemned discrimination and repression against ethnic and religious minorities, including Bahais, during a meeting of the UN General Assembly's Third Committee on October 28.
Iran's Baha’i population is estimated at more than 300,000, making it the country's largest non-Muslim religious minority.
Unlike Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism, the Bahai faith is not recognized under Iran's constitution.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Bahais have faced restrictions on education, employment, religious activities and property ownership, according to human rights organizations.
In September, a spokesperson for the Baha’i International Community told Iran International that pressure on Bahais had intensified, describing the judiciary as a tool for persecuting religious minorities.
Iranian authorities have long rejected accusations of systematic religious persecution, maintaining that prosecutions involving Bahais concern security or legal offenses rather than religious beliefs.
US Vice President JD Vance has offered to meet Iran's top security official Mohsen Rezaei to discuss ending the war, the Washington Post reported, as Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday to pursue a deal.
Vance sent a letter last week to Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), outlining the interests of both countries in possible negotiations, the newspaper reported on Thursday, citing a US official familiar with the discussions.
The letter stressed that Washington's main objective was to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while recognizing Tehran's interests in rebuilding its economy and preserving its national sovereignty.
The vice president also told Iran it needed to appoint representatives authorized to negotiate over its nuclear program, according to the report.
Istanbul or Doha could host a meeting between Vance and Rezaei if the two sides agree to direct talks, the official said.
The Washington Post reported that US officials regarded Rezaei as an important contact because of his influence within Iran's security establishment and his access to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Qatar returns to Tehran for new talks
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday to advance efforts toward an agreement between Iran and the United States, Reuters reported, citing an official briefed on the negotiations.
The mediators have been coordinating their efforts with Washington as they seek to narrow differences over the nuclear program and the economic restrictions imposed on Iran.
The two sides remain divided over the order of steps needed to reach an agreement. Washington wants nuclear issues addressed from the outset, while Tehran insists that the US first end its naval blockade and lift restrictions on Iranian oil exports.
Qatar presented Iran with a draft peace plan on Sunday, but a senior Iranian official subsequently described the ideas as unacceptable and said Tehran would not change its position on the nuclear issue.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Tehran was consulting closely with intermediaries on ideas for implementing its own seven-day proposal to end the war.
The Washington Post reported that Qatari representatives have maintained regular contact with Rezaei and other senior Iranian officials.
According to the newspaper, Iranian leaders regarded Vance's direct letter as a sign of respect, although there was no indication they had changed their nuclear position.
Washington sees Rezaei as central to negotiations
The Trump administration believes Rezaei could help secure support within Iran's leadership for a nuclear agreement, the Washington Post reported, citing the US official.
US intelligence officials believe Rezaei has maintained regular contact with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, including discussions in recent days after receiving Vance's letter.
Rezaei, a former commander of the IRGC, has gained influence within Iran's political and security establishment and maintains connections with officials overseeing the economy, according to the report.
The newspaper said US officials viewed him as someone capable of securing agreement among Iranian leaders on sensitive nuclear issues.
Vance previously led US negotiations with Iran, including an April meeting in Islamabad with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Those discussions involved possible sanctions relief and economic cooperation in exchange for a nuclear agreement, but they failed to produce a lasting settlement.
The Washington Post reported that US officials believe the opportunity to reach an agreement without further military action could be narrowing.
Trump says contact focused on medical supplies
US President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that he had approved Vance's outreach to Iran but said the contact concerned medical supplies rather than instructions to restart peace negotiations.
"They need help with medical supplies and various things. He asked me what I thought. I said, 'if you want to do that, that's OK,'" Trump told reporters.
"Basically, it's getting supplies in to help people that are not well," he added.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the letter to Rezaei, saying the contact was intended to explore whether Washington and Tehran could agree on a framework for negotiations.
Axios separately reported that Vance stressed the need for any renewed negotiations to address Iran's nuclear program.
The discussions come as Trump considers possible renewed strikes against Iran after the November 3 US midterm elections, according to reports by US media outlets.
Vance says Trump will not allow prolonged Iran war
Speaking at a Fox News town hall in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Vance said Trump would not allow the conflict with Iran to become a prolonged US military engagement.
"We've been involved in Iran in some form for seven months. The United States has been dealing with Iran for 47 years, and I promise you that Donald Trump is not going to let Iran become a forever war," Vance said.
He said opposing lengthy military interventions did not mean ruling out the use of force.
"I think there's a difference between criticizing foreign military misadventures and saying that you can never ever use the American military," he said.
"He's going to accomplish America's objectives, and then we're going to focus on the other things that we're doing," Vance added.
His comments came as US military officials prepared options for possible further strikes against Iran, with Trump yet to announce a decision.
