Iran arrests seven people with links to the UK after anti-government protests

Seven people with links to the UK have been arrested by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after anti-government protests in the country, state media says.

Protests have erupted in Iran in recent months, triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who was jailed after being arrested for wearing “inappropriate attire” under Iran’s interpretation of the Islamic dress code.

According to Iranian state media: “Seven main leaders of the recent protests related to the UK were detained by intelligence services of the IRGC (Revolutionary Guards) including dual nationals who were trying to leave the country.”

No more information, including what kind of links those arrested have to the UK, has been released.

Sky News understands the Foreign Office is investigating the reports.

The protests have drawn people from all walks of life in the country to call for the collapse of Iran’s ruling government, which rules in the name of Islam – the biggest challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.

The government has blamed the protests on those who are intent on destroying public property, claiming they have been trained by the likes of the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

At least two people have been executed for taking part in the protests, with Amnesty International criticising what it describes as “sham trials designed to intimidate those participating in the popular uprising that has rocked Iran”.

Mosen Shekari was executed on 9 December after being charged with blocking a street in Tehran and attacking a member of the country’s security forces with a machete, followed by second prisoner, Majidreza Rahnavard, in connection with the protests.

Activists warn that at least a dozen people have been sentenced to death in closed-door hearings.

Last week, Taraneh Alidoosti, star of the Oscar-winning film The Salesman, was detained a week after posting on Instagram about the first man to be executed over the protests, according to reports.

The 38-year-old star wrote: ”His name was Mohsen Shekari. Every international organisation who is watching this bloodshed and not taking action, is a disgrace to humanity.”

According to IRNA, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic, she was arrested after failing to provide “any documents in line with her claims”.