In July 2025, three courageous Iranian environmentalists — Hamid Moradi, Chiako Yousefinejad and Khabat Amini — lost their lives in a devastating forest fire in the Abidar Mountains, close to the city of Sanandaj. This tragic event highlights the Iranian regime’s reckless ignorance and incompetence, as it has grossly neglected the lives of its people and the environment for decades.
The three activists lost their lives in a desperate attempt to contain the flames without any protective equipment. This is not an isolated incident, but a sad reality in Iran, where the government fails to provide basic equipment and support. As a result, residents and activists are forced to risk their lives to protect the country’s precious natural heritage.
Environmental disasters result from government irresponsibility.
For years, Iran has suffered devastating forest fires exacerbated by chronic mismanagement, inadequate preparedness and a complete lack of government support. Rather than investing in fire prevention measures and the necessary equipment, the Iranian regime systematically ignores pleas for help from local people and environmental activists.
But the problem does not end with forest fires. Iran also faces severe water shortages resulting from decades of mismanagement and short-sighted environmental policies. Lakes and wetlands are drying up, rivers are disappearing and drinking water supplies are under severe threat in much of the country. The Zayandeh Rud River, once a lifeline through central Iran, is now almost completely dry. Lake Urmia, one of the world’s largest salt lakes, has almost completely disappeared, symbolising Tehran’s disastrous environmental policies.
The regime is indifferent to human life.
Their tragic deaths once again emphasise that human life holds little value for the Iranian regime. Mr Moradi, Ms Yousefinejad and Mr Amini lost their lives in the flames and, above all, because of the government’s indifference. Such tragedies will inevitably repeat themselves until the regime takes steps to ensure basic safety standards.
The government’s disregard for human life is also evident in its brutal suppression of protests. The regime has already executed activists such as Kavous Seyed-Emami and does not hesitate to suppress those who speak out against it. Kavousifar has become a symbol of state brutality and the severe repression and merciless punishment of any form of resistance.
The funeral turned into mass protests.
The funeral of the three deceased environmental activists turned into a moment of collective anger and grief. In Sanandaj, thousands of people spontaneously turned the memorial service into an anti-government demonstration. They loudly demanded justice for the victims and held the regime responsible for this tragedy. The protesters made it clear that they were tired of a government that neither protects the environment nor its people.
Environmental protection is a global concern that should not be ignored. As long as the Iranian regime continues to disregard basic conservation measures and abandon its own people, more innocent lives will be lost. It is time to recognise the systematic disregard for the environment and human rights for what it is: a crime.
The victims of the Abidar Mountains forest fires are not just a tragic event, but the result of state failure deeply rooted in a disregard for human dignity. This tragedy should serve as an international wake-up call to hold the Iranian government to account and prevent further casualties. The survival of the Iranian people and the protection of their precious natural heritage are at stake.
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