DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – On Saturday, Iran detained the family members of a journalist working for the London-based news channel Iran International as a form of retaliation for the outlet’s coverage of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. The channel reported that the Iranian authorities have threatened to hold the journalist's family until she agrees to resign from her position.
In a public statement, Iran International condemned the abduction, characterizing it as "an appalling act of hostage-taking" intended to force their colleague into resigning. The broadcaster emphasized that this tactic represents a dangerous escalation in the Iranian regime's long-standing campaign to suppress dissent and silence independent journalism.
This incident highlights Iran's persistent efforts to crack down on both domestic and international journalists, particularly those who continue to have family and friends living in the country. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Iran ranks among the world's leading jailers of journalists, and reporters operating within its borders face a multitude of restrictions.
The network disclosed that Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guards abducted the journalist's mother, father, and younger brother, transporting them to an undisclosed location. Following their abduction, the journalist received a phone call from her father on Saturday morning, during which he implored her to resign from her position. It was reported that the voices of security agents were audible in the background, instructing her father on what to say.
During the call, her father reportedly exclaimed, "I’ve told you a thousand times to resign. What other consequences do you expect?" He insisted that she must resign from her role at the channel.
Iran International, along with other Farsi-language broadcasters like BBC Persia, has frequently been targeted by the Iranian government due to their critical coverage of the regime. These platforms have become vital sources of news for many Iranians, both within the country and in the diaspora, particularly amid an official internet blackout that restricts access to information about the latest developments in the Iran-Israel conflict.
In recent years, Iran International has faced intensified scrutiny and threats from Tehran, which has labeled the news outlet a terrorist organization. The channel has been the subject of various hostile actions, including a stabbing incident involving one of its journalists in 2024, believed to have been orchestrated by agents linked to Iran. Furthermore, several individuals were arrested in connection with a suspected plot to target the channel and its staff.
The Iranian regime's actions underscore its fear of unfettered media that can reach its citizens, especially in times of crisis. As the conflict continues to evolve, the implications for journalists and their families remain dire, highlighting the risks faced by those working in independent journalism under repressive regimes.
