Iranian authorities have detained several political figures over support for participants in January protests.

Tehran’s prosecutor accused members of political and media circles of committing crimes by “whitewashing terrorist acts” - the term Iranian officials use to describe the January unrest - and undermining national security. The detainees are also alleged to have supported Israel and the United States, The Caspian Post reports via Iranian media.

Those reportedly involved may include Azar Mansouri, until recently the head of Iran’s Reform Front coalition; former deputy foreign minister Mohsen Aminzadeh; and Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, a political activist and former lawmaker who served in Iran’s third parliament (1988-1992). Asgharzadeh was also among the student leaders involved in the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran at the start of his political career.