Tehran, Iran – Iran has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to more than seven additional years in prison, supporters said Sunday, as the country continues a crackdown on dissent following widespread protests and amid ongoing negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program.
The sentencing comes as Iranian President Masoud Barzani, speaking on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, stated that “peaceful protests by the people are a legitimate right,” while condemning “riots and vandalism” as unacceptable. Barzani affirmed that the presence of citizens in the streets was to “denounce acts of vandalism and support the state.”
Mohammadi, 53, was arrested in December, a year after being released on medical furlough. Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, confirmed the sentence, handed down Saturday by a Revolutionary Court in Mashhad, stating she received six years for “gathering and collusion,” one and a half years for “propaganda,” and a two-year travel ban. She was also sentenced to two years of internal exile in Khosf, a city approximately 460 miles southeast of Tehran.
The new convictions against Mohammadi coincide with Iran’s attempts to negotiate with the United States to avert a potential military strike, a threat repeatedly voiced by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently asserted that Tehran’s strength lies in its ability to “say no to the great powers,” adopting a firm stance following negotiations in Oman with U.S. Representatives.
Amnesty International’s Secretary-General, Agnes Callamard, described the sentence as “a reflection of the skyrocketing lethal repression against dissent and protests waged by the authorities.” Mohammadi had begun a hunger strike prior to the sentencing, reportedly due to her deteriorating health.
The Iranian government, however, has not officially acknowledged the sentence. Supporters say Mohammadi ended her hunger strike on Sunday after the sentencing, citing concerns over her health.
In a separate development, President Barzani emphasized Iran’s commitment to diplomacy based on mutual respect and shared interests, stating that any proposal for resolving crises in accordance with international law and a win-win formula would receive Iran’s support. He also highlighted the importance of negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, expressing hope for a fair and appropriate outcome for both sides.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a separate address, called on Iranians to “stand firm” in the face of ongoing tensions with the United States, reiterating that the goal of foreign powers since 1979 has been to restore the pre-revolutionary order. He emphasized that Iran’s strength lies not only in its military capabilities but also in the resilience and determination of its people.
Khamenei’s remarks came as his international affairs advisor, Kamal Kharrazi, assessed the recent negotiations between Iran and the U.S. In Muscat, Oman, as “positive,” expressing hope for continued progress. Kharrazi cautioned, however, that all outcomes remain possible and depend on the actions of the U.S.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Ministry of Defense announced it would halt public disclosure of its “defense achievements,” citing security concerns and the need to maintain an element of surprise. This decision follows the postponement of a planned broadcast detailing a “missile city” belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In a move signaling a potential escalation of internal repression, authorities have initiated a wave of arrests targeting political opponents and activists. Javad Emam, a spokesperson for the Reform Front, was detained Sunday by Revolutionary Guard forces. Earlier, the head of the Reform Front, Azar Mansouri, and other prominent figures were also arrested, accused of undermining national unity and collaborating with adversaries.
The arrests follow widespread protests in January that reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths, according to human rights organizations. The Iranian government acknowledges a lower death toll, but the discrepancy remains a point of contention. Authorities accuse those detained of inciting unrest and seeking to overthrow the government.
A special committee, headed by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Arif, has been established to investigate the events of January, aiming to address the root causes of the protests and prevent future occurrences. The committee will include government officials and external experts.
Notably, President Barzani’s address at the annual military parade was delivered by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Amir Hatami, in an unusual departure from tradition. This occurred amidst heightened tensions with the United States and a lack of explanation for the Supreme Leader’s absence from the event.
The absence of Ayatollah Khamenei from the traditional military parade has raised questions, particularly given his consistent attendance even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. His last public address on the matter came on February 1, where he warned against the consequences of a U.S. Military strike.
The ongoing crackdown extends to civil society, with reports of numerous arrests and summonses issued to reformist activists. These actions are accompanied by accusations of “confessions” obtained under duress and allegations of torture, according to human rights groups.
