Iran intensified arrests of political figures and activists on Monday even as it signaled continued openness to nuclear negotiations with the United States, underscoring Tehran’s dual strategy of internal repression and external diplomacy.
The latest detentions followed recent indirect talks between Iranian and U.S. officials in Oman that both sides described as constructive. Among those arrested was Javad Emam, spokesman for the Reformist Front coalition, along with several other reformist figures, activists and filmmakers accused of backing protest statements. The Revolutionary Guards were reported to be behind the arrests.
The crackdown comes weeks after mass protests — among the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic since 1979 — were violently suppressed. Authorities have branded the unrest “riots” allegedly orchestrated by foreign enemies, including Israel and the United States.
At the same time, Iran’s leadership has kept the diplomatic channel with Washington open. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Iranians to show resolve against outside pressure, framing national strength as a matter of popular will rather than military hardware.
In parallel, Iran hinted at possible concessions on its nuclear programme. State media quoted atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami as saying Tehran could dilute uranium enriched to 60 percent if sanctions were lifted — a step that would lengthen the time needed to produce weapons-grade material. Iran insists its programme is peaceful, a claim disputed by the U.S., Israel and other Western governments.
The arrests have drawn renewed attention to the fate of prominent dissidents. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was recently sentenced to additional prison time on national security and propaganda charges, despite longstanding health concerns. Hussein Karoubi, son of veteran opposition leader Mehdi Karoubi, was also detained.
The reformist camp, which largely backed President Masoud Pezeshkian in last year’s election, has been hit particularly hard, with several of its senior figures now jailed.
While Washington has focused talks on Iran’s nuclear activities — and potentially its missile programme and regional alliances — it has so far shown little public reaction to the internal crackdown. President Donald Trump has warned of severe consequences if diplomacy fails, even as negotiations continue.
Official figures put the protest death toll at just over 3,100, mostly security personnel, while international groups say the true number of civilian deaths and arrests is far higher. As Iran presses ahead with arrests at home and diplomacy abroad, the contrast highlights a regime seeking relief from sanctions without loosening its grip on dissent.
