Iran's judiciary announced the detention of four political activists on charges of activity in favour of Israel and the United States, part of a broader crackdown following nationwide protests that began in late December 2025, Hamshahri Online reported on February 8.

The judiciary's media centre said the individuals were arrested for allegedly justifying what authorities called "terrorist" actions during protests in December that evolved into the deadliest unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tehran's prosecutor ordered an investigation into the individuals' files, accusing them of attempting to disrupt the country's political and social situation amid military threats from the United States and Israel.

Amirhafez Soleimani, a government lawyer, said the detentions demonstrate the "judiciary's determination to confront security threats." He said the activities of adversaries and spies are not "limited to classic security actions, with cyberspace, media and some domestic political currents becoming platforms for targeted actions backed by foreign support."

Soleimani said the judiciary must respond "quickly and effectively" against individuals and groups targeting security and national cohesion, based on legal principles, credible evidence and firm legal action.

He said anti-security activities threaten not only national security but also the country's political and social stability, and can only be prevented through precise monitoring, institutional coordination and informed public participation.

Names reported by Fars News Agency indicate that “Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh and Mohsen Aminzadeh were arrested by security and judicial institutions,” the agency says.

Ebrahim Asgharzadeh is a prominent reformist politician who was one of the student leaders during the 1979 US Embassy takeover in Tehran and later became a critic of the government and advocate for democratic reforms.

The detentions follow the recent arrest of three other reformist political prisoners, according to international news agencies. Mehdi Mahmoudian, a journalist and activist, Abdollah Momeni and Vida Rabbani were arrested for allegedly helping smuggle out a statement from reformist leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has been under house arrest since 2009.

Mahmoudian and Rabbani were arrested after signing a statement, alongside other Iranian journalists and activists, expressing their support of the recent mass protests across the country, according to a January 31 post on X by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who was also sentenced to further prison time on February 8. 

According to details shared by Mostafa Nili on his X account, the Nobel laureate was taken to Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on February 7, despite her prior objections. In protest against the unjust judicial process, she refused to provide a defence and was immediately sentenced to heavy penalties.

The protests, which began over economic grievances in late December 2025, quickly expanded into broader calls for political reform and an end to clerical rule. Death toll estimates vary widely, from 3,117 according to the Iranian government to over 30,000 according to some human rights organisations.

Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based organisation, said at least 3,428 protesters were killed since the start of the protests to January 22, with around 40,000 arrested. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported 6,092 verified deaths with around 42,500 people detained.

The Iranian government imposed a near-total internet shutdown during the crackdown, restricting communication and limiting information flow about the killings. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei acknowledged "several thousand" deaths whilst blaming the US and Israel for inciting protests.

Iranian authorities have responded with mass detentions and sweeping security operations.

The judiciary chief ordered prosecutors to show "no leniency" for protesters, with authorities charging detainees with "moharebeh" or "waging war against God," an offence punishable by death.