WP: Trump administration’s aid cuts leave Iranian human rights groups struggling

The Trump administration’s sweeping foreign aid cuts are significantly restricting the flow of information from inside Iran, as authorities escalate their crackdown on journalists, activists, and civil society groups.

According to the latest article by The Washington Post, Iranian analysts and human rights organizations warn that the cuts are forcing groups that monitor abuses and support democratic movements to downsize or halt their work entirely, Caliber.Az reports.

Many of these organizations, which operate outside of Iran, relied on US funding under the Near East Regional Democracy (NERD) program, established after Iran’s 2009 protests. The Biden administration had requested $65 million for NERD in 2024, with at least $16.75 million allocated for internet freedom initiatives. However, the recent cuts have affected dozens of groups employing hundreds of people, leading to layoffs and the suspension of key programs.

One Iranian researcher, who worked on documenting human rights abuses in Iran’s prison system, said she and her colleagues were informed in a videoconference that their positions were suspended indefinitely due to the funding reductions. “The United States has always said they stood for human rights,” she said, speaking anonymously out of fear of retribution. “It felt like we had trusted something for a while, and it disappeared.”

The Trump administration’s plans regarding the Iran-related programs remain unclear. Some analysts suggest that the cuts could shift the balance of power within Iran’s fragmented opposition. While pro-democracy activists have played a significant role in the opposition in recent years, some now believe that monarchist factions, which advocate for a return to Iran’s pre-1979 system of governance under a shah, could gain greater influence.

Iranian authorities have seized on the news of US funding freezes, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei claiming the financial support was evidence of “America’s interventionist policy” under Biden, accusing Washington of attempting to pressure and meddle in Iran’s internal affairs. Some analysts argue that such funding has at times fueled Iranian government paranoia, as Tehran views foreign-backed civil society initiatives as a national security threat.

Inside Iran, repression has intensified in recent months. Authorities have increased arrests of activists and journalists, many of whom were already under surveillance. Individuals who had previously been arrested and released have been summoned again for further questioning. Women, in particular, have been targeted. Reports indicate that morality police have become more active, with arrests of women accused of dress code violations increasing. Instead of immediate imprisonment, courts have begun issuing probationary sentences, ensuring that women remain under government scrutiny.

International human rights organizations have raised alarm over the sharp rise in executions in Iran. The United Nations reported at least 901 executions in 2024, including approximately 40 in a single week in December. Iranian journalist Kambiz Ghafouri, who has worked with human rights organizations, described the spike in executions — especially of women — as “unprecedented.”

Iran’s security forces have also ramped up surveillance and intimidation against dissidents abroad. Sajjad Khodakarami, an Iranian journalist and former political prisoner now based in Türkiye, reported receiving anonymous threats via Telegram, including messages revealing his address and warning, “We know where you live.”

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has pledged to further tighten pressure on Iran, including blocking Iranian oil exports, a crucial source of revenue for Tehran. Additionally, recent US intelligence reports suggest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering military action against Iran’s nuclear program, further escalating tensions.

Activists warn that the foreign aid cuts are already affecting the ability to gather information from inside Iran. Some US-supported internet freedom groups have been granted temporary waivers to continue offering high-quality virtual private networks (VPNs), but funding uncertainties persist. “Everyone is extremely concerned because we have seen how useful this [information] has been in the past,” said Khodakarami. “Without it, we have a vacuum, and we know the security forces act with more confidence in a vacuum.”

By Tamilla Hasanova