History
Democracy Party departure and front split
In early summer 2014, Democracy Party left the front in order to be able to remain in the Council for Coordinating the Reforms Front. Following the exit, a split occurred in the front. One faction believed the Deputy Secretary-General Mohammad-Javad Haghshenas takes the secretary-general office, and the other faction elected Ali Faezi as the new secretary-general and retained Majid Mohtashami as spokesperson. On 26 October 2014, one faction tried to register the front in the Ministry of Interior and become the legitimate faction.[1][15][16][17] In October 2014, former leader Mostafa Kavakebian criticized their decision to form a parallel reformist alliance in 2008, but defended their participation in 2012.[18]
2025-2026 Iranian protests
According to Iran International, amid concerns over the collapse of the Islamic Republic and the fall of Ali Khamenei, in addition to the increasing number of protesters killed by security forces during the 2025-2026 Iranian protests, the Central Council of the Iranian Reform Front held an emergency meeting behind closed doors, at the conclusion of which a statement was drafted, calling for the resignation of Khamenei and the transmission of state control to a "transitional council".[20] However, upon learning of the statement, security forces issued "heavy and blatant" threats to the leaders of the alliance as well as warnings of widespread arrests, and the statement was withdrawn.[20] On 25 January, Front spokesman Mohammad Javad Emam stated: "Today, more than ever, reformists must stand with the people, because the status quo can no longer be approved or justified."[21] On 30 January, the Front threatened to suspend its activities if the authorities refused to listen to the demands of protesters.[22] On 8 February 2026, Front leader Azar Mansouri, along with fellow reformists Ebrahim Asgharzadeh and Mohsen Aminzadeh were arrested by Iranian authorities on charges of "targeting national unity, taking a stance against the constitution, coordination with enemy propaganda, promoting surrender, diverting political groups and creating secret subversive mechanisms".[23]