Iran’s Khamenei Pardons Large Number of Security-Related Prisoners Linked to Protests

The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2023. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2023. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
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Iran’s Khamenei Pardons Large Number of Security-Related Prisoners Linked to Protests

The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2023. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2023. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

Iran's Supreme leader Ali Khamenei pardoned "tens of thousands" of prisoners, including many arrested in recent anti-government protests over security-related charges, state media reported on Sunday.

"Prisoners not facing charges of spying for foreign agencies, having direct contact with foreign agents, committing intentional murder and injury, committing destruction and arson of state property, or not having a private plaintiff in their case will be pardoned," state media said.

The pardons were announced in honor of the anniversary of the 1979 revolution.

According to the HRANA activist news agency, about 20,000 people have been arrested over anti-government protests sparked by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish Iranian woman, in September.



Araghchi Says Iran Not Seeking Negotiations During Strikes

FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
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Araghchi Says Iran Not Seeking Negotiations During Strikes

FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Iran’s Foreign Minister said Friday that his country is not seeking negotiations with anyone as long as Israel continues its strikes on Iran.

“In the current situation, as the Zionist regime’s attacks continue, we are not seeking negotiations with anyone,” said Abbas Araghchi during an interview aired by Iranian state television.

“I believe that as a result of this resistance (by Iran), we will gradually see countries distancing themselves from the aggression carried out by the regime, and calls for ending this war have already begun, and they will only grow stronger,” he added.

Araghchi appeared headed to Geneva on Friday for meetings with the European Union’s top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

A plane with his usual call sign took off from the Turkish city of Van, near the Iranian border, flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed.