Before some analysts in the West rush to rebrand him as a “moderate” or a “pragmatist,” it is important to establish who Esmail Khatib actually was.
I speak not as an observer, but as someone who has been arrested and interrogated by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and who has spent years documenting the testimonies of families whose loved ones were detained, tortured, or killed by this same institution.
Khatib served as Islamic Republic of Iran’s Minister of Intelligence, an agency that has long been at the center of the state’s internal security apparatus. Human rights organizations have repeatedly documented its role in arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, coerced confessions, and the suppression of peaceful dissent.
During his tenure, nationwide protests, particularly the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, were met with mass arrests and mass killings. More than 700 unarmed people were killed including teenagers Nika and Sarina. 💔The Ministry of Intelligence played a key role in identifying protesters, targeting activists, and pressuring families into silence.
Yes, he was the one who ordered the arrest of the mothers of those who were killed. Some of these mothers told me how they were humiliated and interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence simply for mourning their children.
He put the fathers of those who were executed in prison for the “crime” of speaking out and demanding justice.
Ask any Iranian who has dared to raise their voice for freedom about him and his ministry. They will tell you how much we have suffered.
And this is not just inside Iran. Five individuals are currently in prison in the United States for plotting to kill me on the orders of the same intelligence apparatus.
So no, there is no moderation here. There is no reform.
He was part of a system that expanded terror beyond Iran’s borders and crushed its own people at home.
Removing terrorists is not a tragedy. It’s a sign of justice or for their victims.
Iran's Islamic regime officials are threatening to kill Iranian children who show even slight opposition
A member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly stated that death sentences will be issued for anyone who does not obey them.
“If your children speak in support of the enemy, the order to shoot them has already been given,” he said.
He added that any young person who is even slightly pro–U.S. or pro–Israel is treated like Netanyahu:
“We’ll shoot and kill them without hesitation. We do not want to kill your youth, but we must, because they are ignorant.”
⚠️ Update: #Iran's internet blackout has entered its fourth day, with the national censorship measure now in place for over 72 hours.
The silencing of authentic Iranian voices is fueling a surge in misinformation as pro-regime accounts fill the void with their own narrative.
My fellow compatriots,
Ali Khamenei, the bloodthirsty despot of our time, the murderer of tens of thousands of Iran’s bravest sons and daughters, has been erased from the face of history. With his death, the Islamic Republic has in effect reached its end and will very soon be consigned to the dustbin of history.
Any attempt by the remnants of the regime to appoint a successor to Khamenei is doomed to fail from the outset. Whoever they place in his stead will have neither legitimacy nor longevity, and will undoubtedly be complicit in the crimes of this regime as well.
To the military, law enforcement, and security forces: any effort to preserve a collapsing regime will fail. This is your final opportunity to join the nation, to help ensure Iran’s stable transition to a free and prosperous future, and to take part in building that future.
The death of the criminal Khamenei, though it does not avenge the blood that has been spilled, may serve as a balm for the wounded hearts of the grieving fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, and the families of those who gave their lives in Iran’s Lion and Sun National Revolution.
Honorable and courageous people of Iran,
This may be the beginning of our great national celebration, but it is not the end of the road. Remain vigilant and prepared. The time for a widespread and decisive presence in the streets is very near. Together, united and steadfast, we will bring about the final victory, and we will celebrate Iran’s freedom across our beloved homeland.
Long live Iran,
Reza Pahlavi
Breaking News: Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, President Trump said. Follow live updates. https://t.co/A3ZCZF7oFF
هممیهنانم،
علی خامنهای، ضحاک خونخوار زمان، قاتل دهها هزار تن از شجاعترین فرزندان ایران از صفحه روزگار محو شد. با مرگ او، جمهوری اسلامی نیز در عمل به پایان خود رسیده است و بهزودی زود به زبالهدان تاریخ خواه�� پیوست.
هر تلاشی از سوی بقایای رژیم برای تعیین جانشین خامنهای، از پیش شکستخورده است. هر که را به جای او بنشانند، نه مشروعیت خواهد داشت، نه بقا؛ و بیتردید شریک جنایات این رژیم نیز خواهد بود.
به نیروهای نظامی، انتظامی، و امنیتی: هرگونه تلاش برای حفظ رژیمی در حال سقوط، محکوم به شکست است. فرصت آخر شماست تا به ملت بپیوندید؛ به گذار باثبات ایران به آیندهای آزاد و آباد کمک کنید؛ و در ساختن آن آینده سهیم باشید.
مرگ خامنهای جنایتکار، اگرچه دادِ خونهای ریختهشده را باز نمیگرداند، اما میتواند مرهمی باشد بر دلهای سوخته خانوادههای دادخواه؛ پدران و مادر��ن، همسران و فرزندان داغدار؛ و خانوادههای جانفدایان انقلاب ملی شیروخورشید ایران.
ملت شریف و شجاع ایران،
این اگرچه آغاز جشن بزرگ ملی ماست؛ اما پایان راه نیست. هوشیار و آماده باشید. زمان حضور گسترده و تعیینکننده در خیابانها بسیار نزدیک است. ما با هم، متحد و استوار، پیروزی نهایی را رقم خواهیم زد، و آزادی ایران را در سراسر میهن اهوراییمان جشن خواهیم گرفت.
پاینده ایران،
رضا پهلوی
🛑 #MatinMohammadi is at serious risk of execution.
No confession obtained under pressure can justify a death sentence.
Justice requires fairness and protection of life.
#StopExecutionsInIran#IranMassacre#متین_محمدی
بدون ریپوست و یا هشتگ کردن رد نشو
فدای چشمای مظلومت بشم من:)
⚠️The Islamic Republic, following televised “confessions” under pressure, is moving to execute three young men on the fabricated charge of setting fire to a mosque.
Islamists regularly execute people after protests on baseless charges to intimidate the public and prevent further demonstrations.
Please share their names.
Ehsan Hosseinipour
Matin Mohammadi
Erfan Amiri
A month ago Mashhad Vakilabad highway Jan 8th. Incredible how many came out. Catastrophic how so few made it back home.
181 towns and cities all over Iran, millions of people took to the streets with a clear demand: the end of the Islamic Republic.
Anyone supporting this regime then or now has betrayed these civilians. Anyone saying this was Mossad should hang your heads in shame. You have stood in the way of democracy in the most appalling way possible.
Agreeing to an any kind of deal with the monsters that killed so many of these protestors would be a betrayal of humanity.
#IranMassacre
#IranianRevolution2026
🗓️ Update: Two weeks ago today, #Iran was cut off from the world by an extremist regime as the people went out on the streets to call for change.
With the digital blackout silencing Iranians' voices, authorities perpetrated one of the deadliest crackdowns in modern history.
The Iranian Foreign Minister will not be attending Davos.
Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year.
⚠️ Update: Network data show the #Iran has now entered the seventh day of a near-total telecoms blackout, with the incident passing the 144-hour mark; the disruption ranks among the longest on record and continues to isolate over ninety million Iranians from the outside world
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A huge shout out to @momowowo, Nae, @NoushinShbb@NegarShbb, @fancy_4n6 and Kinga for the huge amount of time and work they've put in!
Happy Friday!
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Congratulations to #NargesMohammadi for receiving the 2023 #NobelPeacePrize. She is a fierce and persistent advocate for human rights in Iran and currently imprisoned for her courageous work.