Iran Intensifies Crackdown Amid Mass Protests and Arrests

Iran has intensified its crackdown on dissent following mass protests that have challenged the Islamic republic more than any in recent decades. On Monday, authorities arrested Javad Emam, spokesperson for the Reformist Front coalition, local sources reported.

Emam is at least the fourth Reformist Front figure detained in recent days. Several activists and filmmakers were also arrested for co-signing a statement critical of the authorities. The arrests come days after US and Iranian officials held talks in Oman, described as constructive by both sides, although the protests were not reported to be on the agenda.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the military, carried out Emam’s detention. The authorities have described the protests as riots influenced by foreign adversaries, including Israel and the United States. On Monday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged citizens to show “resolve” against foreign pressure, saying, “National power is less about missiles and aircraft and more about the will and resolve of the people. Show it again and frustrate the enemy.”

At the Oman talks, Washington and Tehran agreed to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme, while the US and Israel are also pushing to address ballistic missiles and Iran’s support for regional militant groups. Tehran insists its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes, but Western powers suspect a nuclear weapons aim. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested that Iran could consider “confidence-building measures” on its nuclear programme if US sanctions are eased, while affirming the right to continue uranium enrichment.

Meanwhile, Iran’s top security secretary, Ali Larijani, is scheduled to visit Oman for meetings with local officials.

The crackdown has extended beyond political figures. Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi was sentenced to six years in prison for “harming national security” and 18 months for “propaganda against the Islamic system,” her foundation said. Arrested in December, she has spent much of the past decade in detention for campaigning against capital punishment and mandatory dress codes for women. She now faces additional sentences totaling 17 years and 154 lashes from prior rulings.

Other recent arrests include Azar Mansouri, head of the Reformist Front since 2023, former MP Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and former foreign affairs official Mohsen Aminzadeh. Filmmaker Mehdi Mahmoudian, co-writer of the Palme d’Or-winning film It Was Just an Accident, is also among those detained for signing statements critical of the authorities.

The latest crackdown follows nationwide protests that began in December, initially triggered by economic stagnation. Iranian authorities acknowledge 3,117 deaths, mostly security personnel and bystanders, while international organisations report significantly higher figures. Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has verified 6,961 deaths, mostly protesters, with another 11,630 cases under investigation, and more than 51,000 arrests documented.

The arrests and continued repression highlight Tehran’s determination to quell dissent even as diplomatic talks proceed, underscoring ongoing tensions between internal opposition and the government.