Iran seizes assets of 240 dissidents and journalists as protest arrests top 6,000

Iranian authorities have seized assets from 240 dissidents, journalists, and public figures, as well as freezing 182 of their bank accounts, according to the judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency. Over 6,000 people have been arrested in connection with the January protests, with Police Chief Ahmadreza Radan announcing these numbers on Sunday.

In Tehran alone, 143 asset seizures were made, targeting individuals accused of propaganda activities or actions against Iran in favor of hostile governments. Journalists working for Persian-language opposition broadcasters, as well as activists and foreign-based public figures, were among those targeted. The asset seizures target properties belonging to individuals like Sadegh Saeedi-nia, an entrepreneur whose assets were confiscated, and who received a custodial sentence in a high-profile proceeding against regime opponents.

The judiciary has made over 2,000 inquiries to Iran's Central Bank regarding defendants' accounts and warned of additional seizures and proceedings. Radan also revealed that three members of the exiled Iranian opposition organization Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) were arrested in a recent operation, alleging their involvement in the recent coup-like protests.

Security forces have reportedly prevented a repeat of the Chaharshanbe Suri fire festival from being used to incite further unrest. Iran has executed at least 532 people since January, with 29 of those linked to the January protests, according to Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based monitoring group. This surge in executions has accelerated since the start of the conflict with the US in late February.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US strike on his residence at the beginning of the war, had previously described the protests as a coup attempt.