Political prisoner says Khamenei fueling corruption, poverty
Imprisoned critic of Iran's Islamic government, Mostafa Tajzadeh, has accused Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of fueling poverty and corruption in a letter written from Tehran's Evin Prison.
Imprisoned critic of Iran's Islamic government, Mostafa Tajzadeh, has accused Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of fueling poverty and corruption in a letter written from Tehran's Evin Prison.
“After 35 years of Khamenei's rule, Iranians enjoy neither development nor prosperity; they have neither freedom nor justice,” he said in his letter shared with several media outlets.
Frequently described as a reformist, the activist’s letter follows the issuance of an additional six-year prison sentence by Tehran's Revolutionary Court.
Judge Abolqasem Salavati handed down the sentence on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the system.” Salvati has been sanctioned by the US, for overseeing “the Iranian regime’s miscarriage of justice in show trials.”
This marks the third conviction issued against Tajzadeh since 2009.
Fakhrossadat Mohtashamipour, his wife and fellow activist, confirmed the news through a Telegram channel linked to the political activist.
She criticized the judiciary’s alignment with security forces, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guards’ Intelligence Organization, which she claimed orchestrated the charges.
In his letter, Tajzadeh argued the country’s economic struggles and international isolation stem from Khamenei's anti-American policies and his aggressive regional strategy, which is centered on the so-called Resistance Front.
The letter painted a grim picture of Iran’s trajectory, with the activist saying that systemic failures have eroded national sovereignty and public trust.
He argued that Khamenei’s leadership style—marked by suppression of dissent and reliance on a loyalist minority—has created a governance crisis.
“The Leader has surrounded himself with individuals who refrain from telling him the truth—either out of fear or opportunism,” Tajzadeh added.
He emphasized that the issues facing Iran are deeply entrenched in Khamenei’s policies, warning that no government could succeed under the current approach.
Tajzadeh also called for the removal of the Supreme Leader’s role from Iran’s Constitution, describing it as a harmful innovation deviating from Shia traditions.
He framed this change as essential for enabling democratic governance and resolving Iran’s enduring challenges.
“The concept of the Supreme Leader must be removed to enable democratic politics,” he wrote, saying that the current governance model has failed to resonate even within the Muslim world.
Tajzadeh’s comments reflect growing dissatisfaction among Iranian civil society, marked by years of protests and dissent.
“The focus was on the escalating situation in the Syrian Arab Republic,” the Kremlin said, adding that “unconditional support was expressed for the actions of the legitimate authorities of Syria to restore constitutional order and to restore the political, economic and social stability of the Syrian State.”
Russia and Tehran reaffirmed their support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following significant territorial losses to rebel groups, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday, “We continue to support Bashar Al-Assad. Contacts are continuing at the appropriate levels. We are analyzing the situation and a position will be formed on what is needed to stabilize the situation.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian also reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to bolster Syria in what he called combating terrorism.
“The Islamic Republic is ready to provide all kinds of support to Syria to eradicate terrorism and thwart the goals of its sponsors,” he said during a during a phone call with Bashar al-Assad on Monday.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara to discuss Syria.
Araghchi acknowledged differences with Turkey over its backing of the Syrian National Army but emphasized a commitment to dialogue.
“We have decided to engage in closer discussions to collaboratively manage the regional situation toward peace and stability,” Araghchi said.
Fidan also expressed readiness to mediate between the Syrian government and opposition factions. However, he maintained that the Syrian conflict stems from unresolved issues over the past 13 years.
Rebel advances and humanitarian concerns
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 446 deaths over five days of intense clashes in northern Syria, including 244 rebel fighters, 61 civilians, and numerous Syrian army personnel.
Airstrikes conducted by Syrian and Russian forces targeting Aleppo and Idlib were blamed for the majority of civilian casualties, with several children among the dead.
The official Syrian news agency SANA confirmed that Russian and Syrian airstrikes in Aleppo’s eastern countryside had killed dozens of insurgents.
Assad has vowed to crush the rebels, describing the coalition of HTS and other groups as a threat to Syria’s sovereignty.
Regional and international reactions
Israel has been closely monitoring the developments in Syria. IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Monday that the military has observed Iran sending reinforcements to Syria.
He warned that Israel would act to prevent arms transfers to Hezbollah via Syrian territory.
“We need to make sure that we are not threatened. We are a sovereign country and we will make sure that Iranian weapons are not smuggled to Hezbollah,” he added.
“Hezbollah was defeated in the campaign and it is necessary to make sure that it does not receive weapons from Iran through Syria.”
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar earlier said that his country does not want to take sides in the Syrian conflicts.
"There is no good choice between the Syrian regime and the jihadist rebels," he said Sunday.
On the other hand, Iran’s ministry of foreign affairs blamed the US and Israel for exacerbating the situation in Syria.
