Continued Arrests of Journalists in Iran by the IRGC Intelligence

Hours after the announcement by the IRGC Intelligence Organization regarding the arrest of "several members of a network collaborating with hostile Western governments in the country's media and cyberspace," some opposition websites reported the arrest of several more journalists. The IRGC's announcement, published on Tuesday, November 3, claims that the arrested individuals were affiliated with the "governments of the United States and the United Kingdom" but did not name those arrested. The IRGC added that the arrests were made "after months of continuous intelligence monitoring and comprehensive oversight of the activities of this network." Websites "Saham News" and "Amad News," close to the opposition in Iran, reported that in addition to Ehsan Mazandarani, the editor-in-chief of Farhikhtegan newspaper, and Eisa Saharkhiz, a critical journalist whose arrest was announced on Monday, Afrin Chitsaz and Saman Safarzadeh have also been arrested. Ms. Chitsaz, who has a background in acting in films and series, has been a columnist for the Iran newspaper, affiliated with the Islamic Republic News Agency. The "Amad News" website stated that Ms. Chitsaz began writing columns for the Iran newspaper after the rise of Hassan Rouhani's government and that "due to her interest in foreign policy, her writings often focused on this area." The "Saham News" website, close to Mehdi Karroubi, a candidate who protested the 2009 presidential election, also reported that Saman Safarzadeh, a journalist for the monthly "Andisheh Pouya," has been arrested. Mr. Safarzadeh was the editor of the "World" section of this monthly and has had "ongoing discussions with foreign experts and international politicians." This website added that Mr. Safarzadeh had lived for some time in a foreign country. A common characteristic among most of the detainees has been "traveling outside Iran" or "living in one of the foreign countries," with only Eisa Saharkhiz being an exception. Saham News, citing an "informed source" whose name was not disclosed, reported that on Wednesday, coinciding with November 4, "twenty reformist journalists close to Hassan Rouhani and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani have been summoned to Soapchi Street in Tehran to be interrogated by IRGC interrogators." The website stated that "ten reformist journalists are also on the list of future detainees" and that "some will be arrested on December 7." The recent arrests coincide with statements from IRGC commanders warning about the "infiltration of the U.S. into Iran" as a result of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding the reduction of Tehran's nuclear activities. Mohammad Ali Jafari, the IRGC commander, said on Tuesday at a conference titled "The Era of Recklessness is Over" that Iran is "currently experiencing the fourth sedition of the Islamic Revolution," which "occurs after the agreement and during the JCPOA phase, with infiltration being the most important means of implementing this sedition." According to the IRNA news agency, he added: "We must be careful to prevent the enemy's infiltration after the agreement, as they have targeted the diversion of the path of the Islamic Revolution at this stage." The websites "Saham News" and "Amad News" also cited the upcoming parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections as other reasons for the recent arrests, stating that "the wave of arrests of individuals close to Hassan Rouhani's government and Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani is set to continue with the aim of neutralizing them until the elections in Esfand." On September 21, twelve representatives from the Front of Steadfastness claimed in a written warning to the ministers of culture and intelligence that Western intelligence services, including those of Britain, the Netherlands, and Norway, are leading "a destructive band and current of several hundred people" in reformist media. Bijan Nobaveh, a member of the Front of Steadfastness and a representative from Tehran in the parliament, stated in mid-October that this issue is "under investigation" and that a list of "12-13 individuals" has been "announced" and that "the relevant ministers are also aware of it." In this context, Freedom House: Iran remains among the worst in terms of press freedom. The United Nations: Iran should improve human rights while resolving the nuclear issue. Motahari: I have not seen any document of spies' infiltration in the country's media. A parliament member: A list of spies in the media has been given to the ministers. "Arrest" of a journalist in Mahabad. IRGC: We arrested members of the infiltrating network of Western governments. Changing the battlefield of "proxy wars"; war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of opponents and the possibility of radicalization of Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iranian crisis.