Reformist Activist: Khamenei Is Ignoring Protests of Millions of Iranians

Detained prominent reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh speaks during an event to submit his presidential candidacy in May 2021. (AFP)
Detained prominent reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh speaks during an event to submit his presidential candidacy in May 2021. (AFP)
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Reformist Activist: Khamenei Is Ignoring Protests of Millions of Iranians

Detained prominent reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh speaks during an event to submit his presidential candidacy in May 2021. (AFP)
Detained prominent reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh speaks during an event to submit his presidential candidacy in May 2021. (AFP)

Detained prominent reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh has refused calls to join Iran’s upcoming elections, blaming Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for the country’s flawed political system.

“I will not vote to endorse corruption,” said Tajzadeh in a letter he wrote from Evin Prison.

Tajzadeh, a former Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, had previously applied to run for president, but his candidacy was rejected.

He was jailed in October 2022 and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “conspiring against security and spreading lies and propaganda against the regime.”

Tajzadeh criticized Khamenei for ignoring Iran’s dire realities and the people’s protests, urging Iranians to boycott the elections.

“The majority of Iranians have decided to ignore the Supreme Leader and his propaganda machine, refusing to participate in the elections as a protest against the dire situation in the country,” wrote Tajzadeh.

He stressed Iran’s need for comprehensive development, accusing Khamenei of hindering reforms while lacking the wisdom to lead effectively.

Tajzadeh condemned the parliament’s ineffectiveness, citing its diminished powers and exclusion of independent voices.

He highlighted Khamenei’s red lines on issues like US relations and hijab freedom.

Despite reports of reformists submitting candidacies in Tehran, Tajzadeh deemed parliamentary participation futile without meaningful reform and criticized Khamenei’s influence.

He advocated civil resistance as an alternative to closed government reforms, stressing the need for international pressure for civil rights recognition.

Tajzadeh urged political forces to support civil protests instead of following the old regime and “repeating the same bitter experience.”



Pope Francis Greets Crowds at Vatican in First Appearance since Leaving Hospital

 Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)
Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)
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Pope Francis Greets Crowds at Vatican in First Appearance since Leaving Hospital

 Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)
Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)

Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago after treatment for double pneumonia, entering St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair to greet crowds.

Francis, 88, had been out of public view since March 23, when he had given a short greeting before leaving Rome's Gemelli hospital after more than five weeks of treatment in the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.

The pope, in a previously unannounced move, came out to the square shortly before noon at the end of the celebration of a Mass for the Catholic Church's Jubilee year.

Coming in front of the main altar for the service in bright sunshine, Francis waved to the crowds, before speaking briefly.

"Happy Sunday to everyone," the pope said, speaking in a frail voice while receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose. "Thank you so much."