Iranian security forces have 'violently arrested' Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi, her foundation has said. The Narges Foundation stated that her brother confirmed Ms. Mohammadi's detention in the eastern city of Mashhad, along with other activists. The foundation has called for the immediate release of the 53-year-old and the activists detained alongside her. Iran has not commented on the arrest.

Ms. Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her activism against female oppression in Iran and promoting human rights. In December 2024, she was temporarily released from jail for three weeks on medical grounds after being held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since 2021. Her latest arrest reportedly occurred while she was attending a memorial for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer who was found dead recently.

Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, expressed concern about the violent nature of her arrest, which was witnessed by Alikordi's brother. He described the action as against human rights laws, indicating an escalation of the government’s crackdown.

Last week, Ms. Mohammadi wrote an article for Time magazine discussing the Iranian state's pervasive control over personal and public life, stating, 'Their peace is disrupted by surveillance, censorship, arbitrary arrest, torture, and the constant threat of violence.' Despite facing numerous arrests and significant prison sentences over her activism, she continues to advocate for human rights in Iran.