Iran arrested a prominent reformist, local media reported on Monday, deepening a crackdown on dissent following mass protests that posed one of the greatest challenges to the Islamic Republic since its inception. The United States had threatened military action against Iran during the peak of the protest movement that swept the nation earlier this year, which saw authorities launch a deadly crackdown to quell dissent. Iran has branded the protests as riots fueled by its arch-foes Israel and the United States, and on Monday, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on the nation to show “resolve” against foreign pressure. Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes but Western powers and Israel believe it is seeking a nuclear weapon. On Sunday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran could envision “a series of confidence-building measures concerning the nuclear program” in exchange for the United States lifting sanctions on the country.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 09, 2026 11:51 UTC