American-Iranian Journalist Reza Valizadeh Detained in Iran
American-Iranian journalist Reza Valizadeh is believed to be detained in Iran, CNN reports, citing his former employer and multiple press freedom groups.
Valizadeh, who previously worked for Radio Farda, the Iranian branch of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was reportedly arrested in Tehran in September.
Iran has not acknowledged detaining Valizadeh, and its mission to the United Nations has declined to comment on his situation.
The US State Department confirmed that it is aware of reports of Valizadeh’s arrest and is working with Switzerland, which represents the US in Iran, to gather more information.
RFE/RL has expressed deep concern over Valizadeh’s detention and the Iranian regime’s ongoing harassment of media professionals.
The journalist’s apparent detention coincides with heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened a “teeth-breaking” response to Israel and the United States after Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military sites last month.
Valizadeh had reportedly faced pressure from Iranian authorities to return to the country. In February 2024, he posted on his X account that his family had been pressured to convince him to return. He later said that he had arrived back in Tehran in March 2024.
The circumstances surrounding Valizadeh’s posts and his current detention remain unclear.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Valizadeh is being held without access to a lawyer in Iran’s Evin prison, which has a history of housing critics of the regime. The Human Rights Activists News Agency also believes Valizadeh is being held in Evin.
“Iranian authorities must immediately release journalist Reza Valizadeh and drop any charges levied against him,” said CPJ’s interim Middle East and North Africa program coordinator.
The US State Department has advised Americans against traveling to Iran due to the risk of kidnapping and arbitrary arrest.
Iran has a history of using dual nationals as bargaining chips in its relationship with the West. In 2023, it released five Americans designated by the US as wrongfully detained in exchange for the US unfreezing Iranian funds.
