Iran detains key reformist figures, accuses them of ties to US, Israel

Iranian authorities arrested four individuals on February 8, accusing them of attempting to “disrupt the country’s political and social order” and acting “for the benefit” of Israel and the United States amid January’s anti-government protests. 

Among those detained were three well-known reformist politicians, including Azar Mansouri, leader of Iran’s Reform Front, Mohsen Aminzadeh, a former diplomat, and Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, a former member of parliament, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

The judiciary claimed the group had been “organising and leading extensive activities aimed at disrupting the political and social situation” at a time when the nation faced perceived “military threats” from Israel and the US. 

The arrests occurred as public anger grew over the deaths of thousands of Iranians during the January unrest, which began in Tehran due to economic hardships and quickly spread into a nationwide anti-government movement.

By Jeyhun Aghazada