Reports related to arrests and political prisoners
On April 12, 2025, the Public Security Command of the Islamic Republic announced the arrest of 50 individuals in 16 provinces, charging them with registering sensitive locations, including facilities and infrastructure, for potential combat operations and missile strikes.
Mobed Homaun Farhary, a Zoroastrian cultural activist, was arrested on March 14 by IRGC intelligence forces in Kerman; his wife, Minoo Mehrbani, a Zoroastrian researcher and cultural activist, was also arrested during the first week of Nowruz, but her current status is unclear.
Mobedyar Homan Farhary, a prominent Zoroastrian religious figure, and his wife Minoo Mehrbani, a Zoroastrian researcher and cultural activist, were arrested on March 14 and in the first week of Nowruz, respectively, in Kerman by the intelligence department of the IRGC.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, announced the establishment of "security zones" in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon to confront proxy forces of the Islamic Republic, vowing continued action against Hamas and Hezbollah. Netanyahu also stated that Lebanon has requested direct peace negotiations with Israel, contingent upon Hezbollah's disarmament and a lasting peace agreement.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of 24 citizens charged with undermining national security and financing "terrorist" organizations; one detainee had previously had their citizenship revoked. During the operation, images of Ali Khamenei and Ruhollah Khomeini, along with significant amounts of cash including Iranian rials, were seized.
On April 11, 2026, the IRGC Intelligence Organization announced the arrest of 123 citizens in the provinces of Hamadan, Semnan, and Gilan, charging them with "espionage" and "contact with foreign media outlets."
On April 11, 2025, the U.S. State Department revoked the permanent residency of Isa Hashemi, son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, and his family due to ties to Iranian officials, and federal agents detained them. Isa Hashemi, his wife Maryam Tahmasbi, and their son are now in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and await deportation.
The U.S. State Department announced the arrest of Isa Hashemi, son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, his wife Maryam Tahmasbi, and their son by federal agents after revoking their permanent residency status. The family entered the United States in 2014 with visas issued during the Obama administration.
Activists and protesters critical of the Iranian regime are described as causing destruction in Tehran, with some facing arrest and potential imprisonment in Evin Prison.
Mark Levin stated that while he would not have implemented a ceasefire, he acknowledges that President Trump did so and considers Trump smarter and more perfect in foreign policy than himself.
On January 15, 2026, during a discussion on a news program, Levin commented on a ceasefire, stating, "I wouldn't have done it but he's done it and he's smarter than I am… This government has to go," while MacCallum noted, "It’s pretty clear the same guys are in charge. We have not had a regime change."
Masih Alinejad, an Iranian journalist and activist, criticized the U.S. government on CBS for discussing "regime change" in Iran without addressing executions, political prisoners, mass repression, and internet blackouts, stating that such negotiations do not benefit the Iranian people.
