YAZD PROVINCE — Iran's judiciary seized an apartment belonging to Professor Ali Sharifi-Zarchi in Yazd province in March 2026, citing alleged collaboration with what it called the American-Israeli terrorist enemy. The action was part of a broader government campaign that has targeted property belonging to more than 50 people accused of similar collaboration.

An official message published by Iran's judiciary declared that Sharifi-Zarchi's property would be taken over by the government. The Iranian government has been confiscating property from people it deems traitors or critics of the regime.

Sharifi-Zarchi boycotted teaching classes during the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protest movement in Iran, and Iranian authorities dismissed him from his university position later that year. He also wrote a tweet stating "Ali Khamenei is not my leader." Sharifi-Zarchi is now living in hiding outside of Iran.

He had spent 25 years saving his academic salary and working as a consultant to purchase his properties. "I had my home and, like, one or two other properties," Sharifi-Zarchi said.

The confiscation campaign has extended to other public figures. An Iranian state news agency reported that the properties of Mohsen Yeganeh had been seized by the government. The property of Sardar Azmoun has also been confiscated. Two Iranians received text messages warning that speaking to foreign media could result in property confiscation.

In January 2026, Iran's government and security forces began killing and executing thousands of demonstrators, according to a single-source account that has not been independently verified.