Iran Arrests Participants of a Conference Calling for Referendum – Asharq Al-awsat – English
The Iranian security services continue to arrest activists who participated in a conference last weekend, which discussed the chances of a referendum for a peaceful political transition to a secular regime.
Activists reported on Twitter that the security services arrested civil and political activist Abdollah Momeni in his home days after he participated in the "How to Save Iran" conference.
Momeni's arrest came after another conference participant held over the Clubhouse application, Alireza Beheshti Shirazi, was apprehended. Shirazi was an advisor to Mir Hossein Mousavi, who is under house arrest.
The authorities arrested veteran journalist Keyvan Samimi, 74, who was announced among the conference participants.
Samimi appeared in a video recording, calling for forming a National Salvation Front.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted the state-affiliated Jam-e Jam website saying that Shirazi was arrested as part of the judicial campaign against anti-revolutionary elements.
The authorities accused Mousavi's advisors of instigating the statement which called for ending Iran.
The website referred to a text published in early February, in which Mousavi called for "radical changes in Iran" by organizing a referendum on the constitution.
He described the paradoxical structure and unsustainable basic system as the major crisis in the country.
Jam-e Jam indicated that the three men participated in a virtual conference calling to overthrow the regime and draft a new constitution, reported by the AFP.
Mizan agency quoted an informed security official that Mousavi is under the control of the opposition Mojahedin-e-Khalq Organization.
The security official said that Mousavi's latest statement was a "direct copy" of the rhetoric of the Organization.
He accused Ardeshir Amir Arjomand, a Paris-based political activist who runs the Kalima website and Mousavi's adviser, of being directly involved.
Arjomand was one of the founders of the "How to Save Iran" conference, which included a group of reformist activists calling for a peaceful and gradual transition to a secular regime.
Dozens of political and civil society activists at home and abroad participated in the conference, which discussed transitioning from religious rule to a secular democratic political system.
Mousavi was Iran's prime minister between 1981 and 1989 and ran for the presidential elections in 2009. Along with former Shura Council President Mahdi Karroubi, Mousavi protested the re-election of outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, denouncing widespread fraud.
The former premier was not the only one who issued a controversial statement after the anniversary of the 1979 revolution last February.
Former President Mohammad Khatami tried to distance himself from this discourse, noting that reform was possible and urging a return to the constitution.
Earlier this week, Khatami reiterated his opposition to demands to overthrow the political system.
The former president, Hassan Rouhani, was also among the advocates of a referendum on "diplomacy," "domestic politics," and "the economy."
The top Sunni cleric in Iran, Abdolhamid Ismailzahi, repeatedly called for a referendum to choose the governing method that enjoys the support of the majority of the people.
The Imam of Zahedan's Friday prayer stressed that the referendum is the way out of the current problems in the country.
On April 18, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected opposition to calls for a referendum on state policy, saying the various issues of the country cannot be put to a referendum because each referendum preoccupies the entire country for six months.
In statements published on his official website, Khamenei added, "Where in the world do they hold referendums for all issues?"
During the Eid sermon, Khamenei called for focusing on resolving issues and refraining from "marginal issues," warning that the enemies want to divide the nation.
Khamenei accused the enemies of aiming for conflict between Iranians because of different beliefs and sects, asserting the need to maintain unity to overcome challenges.
"The enemy is against the unity of the Iranian people," he said, adding that the different sects and beliefs can coexist and work together in the country.
More here:
Iran Arrests Participants of a Conference Calling for Referendum - Asharq Al-awsat - English
- Iran-backed Palestinian terror groups said to leave Syria under pressure from Sharaa - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Israel Reportedly Planning to Attack Iran: What to Know - Time Magazine - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- U.S. Findings on Iran Pursuant to the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA) of 2012 - U.S. Department of State (.gov) - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- The Post reports from Iran for the first time in 10 years - The Washington Post - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- What to know about the tensions between Iran and the US before their fifth round of nuclear talks - AP News - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- U.S.-Iran nuclear talks show "some progress," no breakthrough in 5th round - Axios - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- U.S. and Iran hold fifth round of nuclear talks - Action News 5 - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Its going to fail: Iranians speak to CNN ahead of US-Iran talks - CNN - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Iran warns Israel, US against any attack on its nuclear sites - Reuters - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- After 5th round of nuclear talks, Iran says discussions with US complicated - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Iran insists it will never stop enriching uranium as US says it must if a new deal is to be reached - ABC News - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- US and Iran clash over uranium enrichment as nuclear talks resume in Rome - Fox News - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Iran says will hold US responsible for any Israeli attack on nuclear sites - Al Jazeera - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Iran Issues New Warning to US and Israel Regarding Nuclear Sites - Newsweek - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Fifth round of nuclear talks between US and Iran kicks off in Rome - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Iran endorses any efforts aimed at eliminating terrorism in the region, says envoy to Turkey - Tehran Times - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Iran Threatens 'Devastating and Decisive Response' If Attacked - Newsweek - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Ahead of new round of talks with US, Iran warns Israel against attacking nuclear sites - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Fifth round of Iran, US nuclear talks conclude in Rome, with inconclusive progress - The Jerusalem Post - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Iran would view US as participant in any Israeli attack on its nuclear sites - The Guardian - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Israel said readying to quickly strike Iranian nuclear sites if US-Iran talks fail - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Parthian mural excavated from southwest Iran reveals artistic innovation - Tehran Times - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Oil Climbs on Report That Israel Is Preparing to Strike Iran - Yahoo Finance - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Fifth round of US-Iran nuclear deal talks to take place on Friday in Rome, Oman says - Euronews.com - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Bakers protest in Iran: The govt broke its promises! - The Militant - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- US-Iran nuclear negotiations end with "some promise" after 5th round of talks - FOX 13 Seattle - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Iran and Britain summon envoys over alleged spying in UK - BBC - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- US and Iran Clash Over Nuclear Red Lines - Newsweek - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Witkoff says US red line in Iran talks is any ability for Tehran to enrich uranium - The Times of Israel - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Harvard University's alleged ties to Chinese paramilitary group, Iran-backed research spark GOP probe - Fox News - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Will Any New 'Nuclear Deal' Between the U.S. and Iran Be Worth The Paper It's Wr - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Iran, Azerbaijan hold military drill in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh: What to know - AL-Monitor - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Crude Oil Prices Supported by Dollar Weakness and Iran Nuclear Deal Doubts - Nasdaq - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Senior House Republicans question Harvard over Iran connections - Jewish Insider - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Trump 0.2 in Riyadh: Oil, arms, and a shadow over Iran - Tehran Times - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Witkoff: US red line in Iran talks is any ability for enrichment - The Times of Israel - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Minimums for a new Iran nuke deal, beware fake experts and other commentary - New York Post - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- UK Plans New Powers to Tackle Rise in Iran-Backed Threats - Bloomberg - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- 'Evil will not triumph': Witkoff pledges action against Hamas, Iran, calls for unity - The Jerusalem Post - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Iran Insists It Will Continue to Enrich Uranium With or Without a Nuclear Deal - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Marco Rubio warns Iran 'at the threshold' of nuclear weapon capability as US-Iran talks continue - Fox News - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- New impasse? Iran rejects US demands to give up enrichment, says it will continue with or without deal - All Israel News - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Israeli suspected of spying on former PM Bennett on behalf of Iran - JNS.org - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Trump Wants an Iran Deal, but It May Be Weaker Than His Supporters Demand - The New York Times - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Iran says it will continue nuclear talks with the U.S., shrugging off Trumps threats - Los Angeles Times - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Iran says it will continue nuclear talks with the US, shrugging off Trumps threats - AP News - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Trump says Iran has a proposal from the US on its rapidly advancing nuclear program - AP News - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Trump says Iran wont be given time to build a nuclear weapon | Iran International - - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Iran Reaffirms Nuclear Rights Amid U.S. Warnings of 'Grave Risk' - kurdistan24.net - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Over 550 UK lawmakers urge proscription of Iran's IRGC as terrorist group - - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- 'U.S. Must and Will Leave the Region,' Says Iran's Khamenei - kurdistan24.net - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Iran honors 2nd anniversary of 86th Naval Fleets global mission - Tehran Times - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Master negotiator who 'drowns the devil in words': Iran's man in nuclear talks with US - Ynetnews - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Iran says itll continue nuclear talks with US, shrugging off Trump threats - AP News - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Iran says it will continue nuclear talks with the US, shrugging off Trump's threats - The Daily Reflector - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Trump says Iran needs to move quickly on nuclear proposal - Reuters - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Iran's Khamenei: Trump 'lying when he speaks of peace' in region - The New Arab - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Iran says it will continue nuclear talks with the US, shrugging off Trump's threats - Citizen Tribune - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Three charged in UK with aiding Iranian intelligence, targeting Iran International - - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- The Presidents Inbox Recap: The Iran Nuclear Talks - Council on Foreign Relations - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- France & Iran Stars To Lead The Line For Inter Milan In Serie A Clash Vs Lazio - Yahoo Sports - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Spain, Germany, Russia, Iran, Sudan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Venezuela and more Included in New US Travel Risk Update as Global Threat Levels Rise -... - May 17th, 2025 [May 17th, 2025]
- Trump says the US and Iran have sort of agreed on the terms for a nuclear deal - AP News - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Imposing Sanctions on China- and Iran-based Entities and Individuals that Support Irans Ballistic Missile Program - U.S. Department of State (.gov) - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Opinion | Trumps reversal on Iran may be his most consequential - The Washington Post - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Heres how a Trump nuclear deal with Iran could impact global oil supplies and prices - MarketWatch - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- State Department confirms 'constructive' nuclear talks with Iran; Trump says deal 'sort of' agreed to - Fox News - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- US targets Iran-backed Hezbollah with new sanctions, Treasury Departments says - Reuters - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Trump appeals for Qatars help in persuading Iran to give up its nuclear program - AP News - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Emerging nuclear agreement between US and Iran seems problematic, officials tell 'Post' - The Jerusalem Post - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Oil Extends Drop as Trump Says US Is Closer to Deal With Iran - Bloomberg.com - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Iran, European powers to hold nuclear talks in Turkey - Times of India - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Republicans urge Trump to follow through on his plan to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities - Fox News - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Trump Says US and Iran Close to Nuclear Deal - AllSides - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Iran is the most lonely country in the world right now, says KT McFarland - Fox Business - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Trump pulls sanctions on Syria, extends olive branch to Iran - The Washington Post - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- WATCH: Trump urges Iran to take 'new and a better path' for nuclear deal in remarks at U.S.-Saudi investment forum - PBS - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Iran and Ethiopia have a security deal heres why they signed it - The Conversation - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Trump says Iran has sort of agreed to terms of nuclear deal - The Hill - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Trump says he doesnt want to make nuclear dust in Iran - Al Jazeera - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]