Iran Arrests Leading Reformist Politicians in Crackdown on Protest Critics

Iran Arrests Leading Reformist Politicians in Crackdown on Protest Critics

Iranian authorities arrested three senior reformist political figures on Sunday, February 9, in what appears to be a widening crackdown on critics of the government's handling of the deadly January protests. The detentions targeted leaders of the Reform Front, the very political coalition that helped secure President Masoud Pezeshkian's election in 2024 Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media..

The arrests come as Iran and the United States are engaged in indirect diplomatic talks in Oman, creating a stark contrast between Tehran's outward diplomatic posture and its intensifying internal repression.

Who Was Arrested

Those detained include Azar Mansouri, head of Iran's Reform Front and secretary-general of the Union of Islamic Iran People Party; Mohsen Aminzadeh, a former deputy foreign minister who served under President Mohammad Khatami (1997–2005); and Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, a former parliamentarian and political activist who was a student leader during the 1979 US embassy takeover Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media..

The Reform Front confirmed the arrests in a statement on X, saying that Mansouri was arrested "from the door of her home under a judicial order" by the intelligence forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media.. The IRGC has also issued summons to other senior Reform Front members, including deputy chairman Mohsen Armin and secretary Badral Sadat Mofidi Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media..

At least two other prominent figures in the Reform Front, an umbrella group of as many as 27 reformist factions, have been ordered to appear at police stations this week Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

The Government's Case

Iran's judiciary accused the group of "organising and leading extensive activities aimed at disrupting the political and social situation" at a time when the country faced "military threats" from Israel and the United States, according to the official Mizan news agency Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media.. The prosecutors' office in Tehran further claimed those arrested had worked to "justify the actions of the terrorists' infantry" and accused them of "targeting national unity, taking a stance against the constitution, promoting surrender, perverting political groups and creating secret subversive mechanisms" Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, the head of the judiciary, defended the crackdown by stating: "Those who issue statements against the Islamic Republic from within are in agreement with the Zionist regime and America." He described the detained reformists as "wretched and miserable" and threatened they would "suffer losses" Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

The government's framing positions the arrests as a national security matter, alleging the reformists acted "for the benefit" of Israel and the United States during a period when Iran was under external military threat Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media.. However, the specific evidence supporting these allegations has not been publicly disclosed.

Mansouri's Defiance

Mansouri had been openly critical of the authorities' response to the January unrest, though notably she had not called for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's resignation or supported foreign intervention Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

In a statement issued last week, she said: "We will not allow the blood of these dear ones to be consigned to oblivion or the truth to be lost in the dust. Pursuing your rights and striving to clarify the truth is the human duty of us all. And with all our being, we declare our disgust and anger toward those who, ruthlessly and recklessly, dragged the youth of this land into earth and blood" Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

"No power, no justification and no time can sanitise this great catastrophe," she added Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

The January Protests and Contested Death Toll

The arrests are directly linked to the January 2026 protests, which began in Tehran on December 28, 2025, over a worsening economic crisis and escalated into a nationwide antigovernment movement. The Iranian government labelled protesters as "terrorists" and attributed the unrest to foreign interference from Israel and the United States Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media..

The death toll remains fiercely contested. The Iranian government has put the official figure at 3,117, publishing the names and national ID numbers of nearly 3,000 victims on February 2 . The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says it has verified 6,854 deaths and is investigating over 11,000 additional cases . International human rights organizations have suggested the true toll could be significantly higher, though precise figures remain difficult to confirm independently Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media..

The government has rejected claims by the United Nations and international rights organizations that state security forces were responsible for the majority of killings, most of which occurred on the nights of January 8 and 9 Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media..

Broader Crackdown on Dissent

The arrests of the reformist leaders follow the earlier detention of four human rights defenders who had signed a statement backed by 17 prominent activists demanding a "free, transparent referendum" to establish a new democratic government. Those arrested include Vida Rabbani, Abdollah Momeni, Mehdi Mahmoudian, and Dr. Ghorban Behzadian-Nejad, a senior adviser to reformist former prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

The statement from the 17 activists described the January killings as "an organised state crime against humanity" and condemned "the firing on civilians, the attacks on the wounded and the denial of medical care" as "acts against Iran's security and betrayal of the homeland" Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

Separately, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, arrested 59 days ago, was given a new seven-year jail sentence. She was briefly allowed to speak to her lawyer for the first time on Sunday, revealing she had been transferred to hospital but sent back to jail before her treatment was completed Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

Diplomatic Context

The crackdown unfolds against a backdrop of high-stakes diplomacy. Iran and the United States held indirect talks mediated by Oman on Friday, February 7, with another round scheduled for this week Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media.. President Pezeshkian described the discussions as "a step forward" and said his government favoured continued dialogue Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media..

However, Iran's top military commander, Major-General Abdolrahim Mousavi, struck a more combative tone on Sunday, warning that "the entire region will be engulfed in conflict" if Iran is attacked. "While being prepared, we genuinely have no desire to see the outbreak of a regional war," he told military commanders, adding that "its repercussions will be borne by the warmongers in the US and the Zionist regime" Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media..

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly brought forward a trip to Washington to lobby President Trump to include Iran's missile programme in the ongoing negotiations, which the US has signalled would focus primarily on curtailing Iran's nuclear programme Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

Pezeshkian's Dilemma

The arrests pose an acute challenge for President Pezeshkian, who won the presidency in June 2024 with 16.4 million votes on a 49.7% turnout, decisively defeating hardline rival Saeed Jalili Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests.. The Reform Front was instrumental in securing his election, making the IRGC's targeting of its leadership a direct challenge to his political base.

Pezeshkian has established an inquiry into the January protests, but observers note it is unlikely to criticize the IRGC. His continued silence on the arrest of his former supporters would underscore how little influence he wields over Iran's key decision-makers, particularly the security establishment and the judiciary Iran arrests leading reformists close to the country’s presidenttheguardian.com·SecondaryDetentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protests The head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests..

As Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tehran, Tohid Asadi, noted: "These figures have a background of political activism and imprisonment. So this is not the first time that they are facing such allegations. And they are going through a trajectory that could pave the way for imprisonment for them" Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians, cites links to US, Israelaljazeera.com·SecondaryIran arrests four political figures over alleged disruption of ‘political & social order’ Iranian authorities have arrested four people on charges of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and working “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States during the antigovernment protests of January. The detainees, who were arrested on Sunday, included three prominent reformist politicians, according to Iranian media..