On Saturday, Iran detained the family of an international journalist, coercing her to resign in retaliation for her reporting on the conflict between Iran and Israel.
The Falsi News Channel, located in London, strongly criticized the action, describing the abduction of the journalist’s family as a “hostage-taking act” meant to pressure colleagues into resignation.
They remarked, “This deeply condemnable tactic shows a troubling escalation in the regime’s harsh campaign against independent journalism.”
Reports indicate that Iranian paramilitary security forces took the journalist’s mother, father, and younger brother to a secret location. According to Iran International, the journalist received a call from her father on Saturday morning, advising her to quit her job. A security agent’s voice was reportedly heard instructing him what to say.
During the call, her father expressed his frustration, saying, “I’ve told you to resign countless times. What other outcomes do you expect?”
Falsi Language broadcasters, including Iran International and BBC Persia, have frequently been targeted by the Iranian government. Many Iranians rely on these channels for news, particularly about the ongoing conflicts involving Iran and Israel.
Iran International has faced increased scrutiny from Tehran due to its critical coverage of the government. The Iranian administration has labeled various news outlets as terrorist organizations. In a related incident, a journalist from the outlet was attacked in 2024, although the assailant was arrested for allegedly conspiring to target others associated with the channel.
