Iran Arrests Senior Reformists Linked to President Pezeshkian

Iranian state media reported on Monday that security authorities have arrested at least three senior figures from Iran’s reformist camp, accusing them of acting against the Islamic Republic and calling for the resignation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

According to the reports, the arrests targeted prominent members of the reformist movement closely associated with President Masoud Pezeshkian, marking a significant escalation in pressure on political figures previously considered part of the system’s sanctioned opposition.

Among those detained is Azar Mansouri, head of the Reformists Front and secretary-general of the Islamic Iran People Party, an organization that played a central role in Pezeshkian’s presidential campaign. Also arrested were Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, head of the Reformists Front’s political committee, and Mohsen Aminzadeh, who served as deputy foreign minister during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami. Iranian-linked outlets reported that the arrests were carried out at the individuals’ homes.

The Tehran prosecutor’s office later issued a statement accusing the detainees of acting “in cooperation with the United States and Israel.” Prosecutors said the group had taken positions “against the constitution” and established “secret subversive mechanisms,” without providing public evidence to support the allegations.

Mansouri has previously spoken out against the killing of demonstrators during recent protests, expressing regret over the deaths and saying there was no justification for what she described as a disaster. Her remarks had positioned her as one of the most outspoken reformist figures addressing the state’s response to public unrest.

The arrests come among a broader crackdown on dissent in Iran. On Sunday, supporters of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi said she had been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. Mohammadi, 53, has repeatedly been targeted by Iranian authorities over her activism and criticism of the regime.

According to the Narges Foundation, Iranian authorities accused Mohammadi of having “encouraged the chanting of slogans that go beyond what is acceptable against the regime.” Reports said the sentence also includes additional penalties, including internal exile and a travel ban.

Mohammadi was arrested on December 12 after condemning the death of lawyer Khosrow Alikurdi, a vocal critic of the Iranian government. Prosecutor Hassan al-Matifar said at the time that Mohammadi had made “provocative remarks” during a memorial ceremony for Alikurdi held in the northeastern city of Mashhad.