The USA and Iran held indirect talks about Iran’s nuclear program in Oman on Friday. They were the first talks since the US intervened in the 12-day war between Israel and the Islamic Republic in June. Western states have been accusing Iran of seeking a nuclear bomb for years – something Tehran denies.
A ritual in the power structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran that has existed for decades was interrupted for the first time this year. For the first time in 37 years, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not attend the annual meeting on February 8 where Iranian air force commanders traditionally express their loyalty. Instead, the officers were received by Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the country’s founder Ruhollah Khomeini.
Khamenei had taken part in the ceremony every year since he took office in 1989 – including during periods of military conflict, domestic political unrest and during the corona pandemic. The Supreme Leader’s departure comes at a time of heightened regional tensions and an increased US military presence in the region.
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The authorities in Iran arrested three reformist politicians on Sunday, including the leader of the opposition Reform Front party alliance, Azar Mansouri. “Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh and Mohsen Aminzadeh were arrested,” Fars news agency reported. They are therefore particularly accused of “attacks on national unity”, “coordination of enemy propaganda” and “creation of secret subversive mechanisms”. The justice platform Misan Online also reported several arrests, but without naming names.
The 60-year-old Mansouri has been chairwoman of the Reform Front, the most important coalition of reformist movements, since 2023. She was an advisor to former President Mohammad Khatami, who was also considered a reformer.
