Iran Arrests Three Leftist Critics and Summons a Fourth After Coordinated Raids, Media Say

Tehran — Raids Target Leftist Critics, Devices Seized

Private, pro-reform outlets, including the Shargh daily, reported that Iranian security forces carried out separate operations that resulted in the arrest of three government critics, the summoning of a fourth and the confiscation of electronic devices.

The raids reportedly targeted the homes of journalist Parviz Sedaghat, 61; sociologist Mahsa Asadollahnejad; and translator Shirin Karimi. The Shargh report added that authorities seized electronic devices belonging to economist Mohammad Maljou, 53, and summoned him to appear before security officials. According to the coverage, Maljou left his home voluntarily to report but there has been no public update on his status.

Reporters and the outlets described the four as leftist critics of the Islamic Republic’s theocratic system. Observers noted this appears to be the first coordinated detention of leftist researchers in recent years, though Iran has a long history of arresting dissidents and political opponents.

Maljou on Telegram: In his most recent post, Mohammad Maljou urged people to resist the country’s “war and isolation” and to work toward dissolving what he called an “undemocratic” theocracy.

State and semi-official media in Iran had not immediately reported the arrests.

The reports also referenced a June, 12-day conflict involving Israel and Iran that Iranian officials say resulted in heavy casualties; those accounts claimed nearly 1,100 Iranians were killed, including military commanders and scientists. Some outlets additionally reported U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during that period. These claims have been reported by news outlets but remain contested and are presented here as described in the coverage.

Analysts say Iran’s economy has slipped further this year, and the country’s theocratic leadership has not taken major actions that observers believe would reverse the economic decline. The detentions come amid continuing political tensions and public discontent.