Arrest of Reza Valizadeh, Iranian-American Journalist, in Tehran

Radio Farda has learned that Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist who had returned to Iran after years abroad, has been arrested in Tehran. Mr. Valizadeh, who previously worked for Radio Farda, left the media outlet in November 2022 and resided outside the country for a period. A close associate of his told Radio Farda that Reza Valizadeh was arrested about three weeks ago and is facing charges including collaboration with Persian-language media outside the country. Iranian officials have not yet officially commented on the arrest of this journalist. In Valizadeh's last post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he mentioned that he traveled to Tehran on March 7, 2024. In this post, he stated that he had incomplete negotiations with the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps but ultimately returned to the country after 14 years at his own risk and without any guarantees, even verbally. It is unclear under what circumstances he wrote this post. A large number of dual nationals traveling to Iran have been arrested by security agencies and accused of various charges. Many of their assets have also been seized or blocked, and in some cases, their family members in Iran have been pressured to convince them to return to the country. The Islamic Republic of Iran is accused of exerting pressure on foreign governments by illegally detaining or 'kidnapping' foreign nationals, including dual citizens, to achieve its demands. The severe governmental repression and the danger of protests becoming 'underground' are evident as doctors and eyewitnesses recount the injuries from protests. The limitations of relations between China and Iran have become apparent amid the protests.