But authorities began a widespread crackdown on the movement in early 2010, and Mousavi and Karroubi, both former presidential candidates, as well as Mousavi's wife Zahra Rahnavard were placed under house arrest on 14 February 2011. 
Hata hivyo, vyombo vya dola vilianza kupambana kwa nguvu na vuguvugu hili mapema mwaka 2010, na Mousavi pamoja na Karroubi, ambao wote ni wagombea wa urais, ikiwa ni pamoja na mke wa Mousavi aitwaye Zahra Rahnavard ambao kwa pamoja waliwekwa chini ya ulinzi na kuzuiliwa kutoka nyumbani kuanzia Februari 14, 2011.