Iran Arrests Prominent Reformist Azar Mansouri Amid Crackdown on Dissent
Iranian authorities have recently detained three prominent reformist figures, including AzarMansouri, president of the Reformist Front, according to a report from Fars news agency on Sunday.
The detained individuals also include Ibrahim Asgharzadeh and Mohsen Aminzadeh.
The charges against them reportedly include undermining national unity, opposing the constitution, aligning with enemy propaganda, promoting capitulation, and establishing covert sabotage mechanisms.
These arrests occur within the context of a widespread crackdown that has intensified over recent months in Iran, following a wave of protests that began in late December 2025 due to currency collapse and deteriorating living conditions.
Merchants, students, and various sectors of society have protested in multiple cities, demanding significant political and social changes.
Human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have reported that security forces have used excessive violence to disperse protesters, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and arbitrary arrests of hundreds, including students, academics, artists, and human rights defenders.
These organizations have also documented nighttime raids on homes and arrests in workplaces and even hospitals, with a lack of official information regarding detention locations or charges.
The recent arrests of Azar Mansouri and her colleagues highlight the authorities' efforts to suppress political opposition and address increasing internal criticism and international pressure, amid calls for human rights improvements, including the release of detainees and fair trials.
