Reports have emerged that tens of thousands of Iranians are being detained in clandestine facilities, often referred to as “black box” sites. These locations reportedly operate without judicial oversight, lack official records, and leave families in the dark about the fate of their relatives.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has raised concerns about these facilities, likening them to notorious prison camps from the 1980s. These revelations have alarmed human rights organizations, especially amid the current political unrest gripping the nation.

“These black box sites were first employed in the 1980s,” a spokesperson explained, “and were originally set up as residential compounds within Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, located to the west of Tehran.”

In a disturbing historical context, the spokesperson detailed how female prisoners associated with the MEK (Mujahedin-e Khalq) endured severe mistreatment. “These women were confined and tortured, forced to endure conditions akin to living in coffin-sized boxes or to remain in squatting positions, often deprived of basic needs like sleep and food,” he remarked.

He further stated, “Speaking out resulted in beatings. We now have reports suggesting that similar secret prisons are in use today, operating beyond the reach of the official Iranian prison system.”

“If they spoke, they were beaten. We have heard that similar prisons are being used today that operate outside the formal Iranian prison system,” he said.

Iranian authorities have reportedly been using these unofficial detention sites for interrogation during the protests, where detainees are held without registration or access to legal counsel.

The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) described the facilities as “among the gravest concerns documented” by the organization.

In a new report, CHRI warned that when detainees are removed from the formal prison system, they effectively disappear into these sites.

Military members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in western Tehran, Iran (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

There is no paper trail and no legal supervision, leaving individuals highly vulnerable to abuse.

CHRI said the risk of torture, coerced confessions, sexual abuse and deaths in custody inside these facilities is extreme.

Outside the facilities, families are often left traumatized after having to spend days outside courts and prisons that deny holding their children, the report said.

“The precise locations of these black box sites are unknown, which is part of their function,” Safavi said.

Iranian security forces escalated from pellet guns to live ammunition during protests. (Getty)

“This ensures total isolation and no access or contact. Agents inside are able to employ whatever methods they choose, much like at Ghezel Hesar Prison in the 1980s,” he explained.

“The clandestine sites eliminate witnesses and prevent documentation that could lead to leaks,” Safavi said.

The findings come amid reports of escalating executions in Iran following recent protests, during which thousands of people were killed at the hands of the clerical regime.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Monday that at least 17 prisoners were executed across Iran over a two-day period.

The CHRI report came as Iranians living in exile gathered in Europe to protest against the regime and as others commemorated the 40th day since the Jan. 2026 uprising.

At the same time, the HANA Human Rights Organization said that at least 24 children, including a 3-year-old, were killed by direct fire from security forces during nationwide protests.