Iran's hardline authorities have carried out a sweeping crackdown on reformist leaders close to President Masoud Pezeshkian, deepening tensions over the government's handling of street protests. The arrests include several prominent figures from the Reformists Front, an umbrella group that secured Pezeshkian's election victory last year.
The list of arrested individuals includes key reformist figures Ebrahim Asgharzadeh and Mohsen Aminzadeh, as well as Hossein Karroubi, the son of a former presidential candidate who has been vocal in his criticism of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The arrests are seen as an attempt to silence critics of the government's response to the protests.
At least two other prominent reformists have been told to appear at the prosecutor's office on Tuesday, further underscoring the scale of the crackdown. Iran's official death toll from the protests stands at 3,000, although some estimates put the figure significantly higher.
The arrests are part of a broader effort by the government to suppress dissent and maintain its grip on power. Human rights activists have condemned the crackdown, with many pointing out that it is an attempt to prevent critics from speaking out about the government's handling of the protests.
President Pezeshkian has been largely unable to exert his influence over key decision-makers in the government, despite having won a significant portion of the vote in last year's election. The arrests of his former supporters have raised questions about his ability to govern effectively and whether he will speak out against the crackdown on reformists.
Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and its regional rivals are running high. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to lobby US President Trump to include Iran's missile programme in talks with Tehran, further exacerbating the crisis.
The list of arrested individuals includes key reformist figures Ebrahim Asgharzadeh and Mohsen Aminzadeh, as well as Hossein Karroubi, the son of a former presidential candidate who has been vocal in his criticism of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The arrests are seen as an attempt to silence critics of the government's response to the protests.
At least two other prominent reformists have been told to appear at the prosecutor's office on Tuesday, further underscoring the scale of the crackdown. Iran's official death toll from the protests stands at 3,000, although some estimates put the figure significantly higher.
The arrests are part of a broader effort by the government to suppress dissent and maintain its grip on power. Human rights activists have condemned the crackdown, with many pointing out that it is an attempt to prevent critics from speaking out about the government's handling of the protests.
President Pezeshkian has been largely unable to exert his influence over key decision-makers in the government, despite having won a significant portion of the vote in last year's election. The arrests of his former supporters have raised questions about his ability to govern effectively and whether he will speak out against the crackdown on reformists.
Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and its regional rivals are running high. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to lobby US President Trump to include Iran's missile programme in talks with Tehran, further exacerbating the crisis.