Iran Detains Reformist Leaders Amid Ongoing Crackdown
Iranian authorities have detained three leading reformist figures, including AzarMansouri, the head of the Reform Front, according to a report by the Fars news agency on Sunday.
The other individuals arrested are Ibrahim Asgharzadeh and Mohsen Aminzadeh.
The charges against them reportedly include undermining national unity, opposing the constitution, collaborating with hostile propaganda, advocating for surrender, and creating clandestine subversive networks.
These arrests occur against the backdrop of a significant crackdown on dissent in Iran, which has intensified following a series of protests that began in late December 2025, driven by economic instability and worsening living conditions.
Demonstrations have been held in various cities, with participants from diverse sectors of society calling for substantial political and social reforms.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have reported that security forces have employed excessive force to disperse protesters, leading to fatalities, injuries, and the arbitrary detention of hundreds, including students, academics, artists, and activists.
These organizations have also documented nighttime raids on residences and arrests in workplaces and hospitals, often without clear information regarding the detainees' locations or the specific charges against them.
The recent detentions of Azar Mansouri and her colleagues highlight the government's attempts to tighten its grip on political opposition and address growing internal dissent and international scrutiny, amid calls for the release of detainees and the assurance of fair trials.
