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TRANSCRIPT:
For Brisbane-based Deniz Toupchi, a map of Evin Prison in Iran is the closest she can feel to her friend held inside.
She is among more than 50,000 people that rights groups say were arrested during the country's protest movement in January.
"I am really worried about those people who are hearing bombs outside, outside of the prisons. In an ordinary situation, prisoners are always under pressure. Now these days, their basics have been interrupted."
Deniz hasn't heard from her since the US and Israel began its joint military operation last weekend.
And she is concerned her friend might be relocated by security forces.
"IRGC takes prisoners to other places that could be a potential target for USA and Israel, and obviously they use prisoners as a human shield. So this is one of the major concerns we have."
The head of the Iranian judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-E'jei, has issued this threat to those in Iran.
"Anyone who cooperates with the enemy in any way will be considered an enemy."
Human rights organisations say they fear prisoners are now more vulnerable than ever.
Zaki Haidari from Amnesty International Australia is concerned executions are still going ahead.
"Our grave concern is that execution might be used again, to bring fear in the community, to disrupt the current movement or process that's happening against the current regime."
This is Atena Daemi, an Iranian human rights activist and former political prisoner.
"Given the wartime conditions, people may not be out on the streets right now, but to create fear the authorities could take their revenge on prisoners instead."
Human Rights Watch has told SBS that with Iran’s authorities shutting down internet access, these prisoners are even more isolated.
HRW says it is critical that international attention continue to highlight their precarious situation and demand they be released as part of domestic Iranian regulations that allow for detainees’ release during armed conflict.
Sydney-based Mohammad Hashemi knows all too well the nightmare of having a loved one on death row.
His cousin, Majid Kazemi, was a protester executed by the regime in 2023, and now he is worried about those caught in a similar situation.
"We are really worried about the second massacre is going to happen, and yeah, we all know Islamic regime, how brutal all they are, and how they can do horrible things. Each day, I wake up, check my phone and see the news. Is anyone being executed?"
