Iran operating secret ‘black box’ sites holding thousands in detention: reports

Fox News - WorldCenter-RightEN 2 min read 100% complete by Emma BusseyFebruary 17, 2026 at 01:19 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Reports indicate Iran is operating secret, unofficial detention sites, referred to as "black box" facilities, where thousands of individuals are held without judicial oversight or official records. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) alleges these sites, modeled after 1980s prison camps, are used for interrogation and operate outside the formal prison system, leaving detainees vulnerable to abuse and effectively disappeared. The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) warns of extreme risks of torture, coerced confessions, and death within these unregistered facilities. Families are often left without information, unable to confirm the whereabouts or well-being of their detained relatives. The precise locations of these sites remain unknown, ensuring isolation and preventing documentation of potential abuses.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Karaj 40% Tehran 40% Safavi ×250% Ghezel Hesar Prison ×260% Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) 60% National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) 70% Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) ×270% Iran ×690%

Keywords

black box detention sites 100% iran 90% detention 80% human rights 70% torture 70% prison 60% protests 50% lack of judicial oversight 50% abuse 50% forced confessions 40%