Iran: Political journalist arrested

On 29 June, Karaj-based political journalist Omid Faraghat was arrested on charges of 'disturbing public opinion' and 'acting against national security'. Faraghat is the seventh journalist currently imprisoned in Iran. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns his imprisonment and calls for the immediate release of all detained journalists and media workers.

Journalists prepare to film before a press statement at a damaged area following strikes on Sharif University of Technology in Tehran on April 7, 2026. Credit: ATTA KENARE / AFP.

On 28 June, Omid Faraghat, a political journalist who has previously been prosecuted for his critical reporting, received a summons on his phone from the Karaj Security Police. After responding to the summons on 29 June, he was taken to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office. The authorities issued a pre-trial detention order and Faraghat was taken to prison.

According to HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency), the journalist is being prosecuted on charges of 'disturbing public opinion' and 'acting against national security'. It is the third time he has been prosecuted for his critical reporting.

With Faraghat's arrest, the number of journalists imprisoned in Iran has risen to seven. The journalists currently detained are:

1. Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist and former Radio Farda reporter, arrested by security forces in September 2024, six months after returning to Iran.
2. Artin Ghazanfari, a photojournalist, arrested by security forces at his home in Mashhad on 9 January and taken to an unknown location.
3. Somayeh Heydari, a reporter for Yul magazine in Tabriz, arrested by security forces in her home on 12 February.
4. Pedram Alamdari, editor-in-chief of Yul magazine in Tabriz, arrested by security forces at his home on 12 February.
5. Muslim Zarei, a journalist and cultural activist, arrested by security forces at his home in Kermanshah on 16 March and taken to an unknown location.
6. Amir Hossein Rezaei, a former journalist for Donyaye Eqtesad, arrested on 6 May at his father's home in Arak.
7. Omid Faraghat, a political journalist, arrested after being summoned by the Karaj Security Police on 29 June.

The IFJ has repeatedly condemned the repression of media and journalists in Iran. Given the current wartime context, internet shutdowns, and the already severe restrictions on independent reporting, the federation calls on the Iranian authorities to release all imprisoned journalists, ensure their safety, and allow free and independent reporting.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "We condemn the arrest of Omid Faraghat and reiterate our call on the Iranian authorities to release all detained journalists immediately and stop the information blackout. The intimidation of media professionals must end, and the public's right to information must be upheld."

The IFJ has issued a safety advisory to support journalists working in Iran. Journalists can download it in Farsi