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Two Reformist Newspapers Banned

Feb 12, 2026 February 12, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The Iranian judiciary has banned two reformist newspapers, accusing them of violating public decency by publishing images of women without hijab. This is part of a broader crackdown on press freedom in Iran, which has seen over 80 reformist publications banned and many journalists imprisoned. President Mohammad Khatami has condemned these actions and called for greater constitutional protections.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The banning of reformist newspapers underscores ongoing tensions over press freedom in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Iranian Judiciary MENTIONED
Judicial authority in Iran
"Responsible for enforcing laws and regulations, including press restrictions"
Mohammad Khatami MENTIONED
Reformist President of Iran
"Advocate for press freedom and constitutional reform in Iran"
Guardian Council MENTIONED
Constitutional body in Iran
"Oversees elections and legislation, often at odds with reformist agendas"

📰 What Happened

The Iranian judiciary has banned two reformist newspapers for allegedly violating public decency laws by publishing images of women without hijab. This action is part of a wider crackdown on press freedom in Iran.

  • Over 80 reformist publications have been banned in the last 18 months.
  • President Khatami has condemned these bans and seeks greater constitutional powers.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: It highlights the tension between reformist and conservative elements within Iran, affecting press freedom and political discourse.
🌍 Regional: Reflects broader regional struggles between reformist and conservative ideologies.
🌐 International: Raises concerns about human rights and freedom of expression, impacting Iran's international relations.

📚 Background

Iran has a history of restricting press freedom, particularly targeting reformist voices that challenge conservative norms.

Press freedom in Iran Iranian political reform
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
State media may reflect government perspectives and justify actions against reformist elements.

The judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran has banned two more reformist newspapers, accusing them of violating 'public decency.' The Iranian Press Court suspended the newspaper 'Golestan Iran' and the weekly 'Vaqt' for publishing images described by the official Iranian news agency as 'images of immoral women.' The newspaper Golestan Iran was also accused of spreading falsehoods. According to an interpretation provided by extremist circles in Iran regarding Islamic law, publishing images of women without Islamic hijab is prohibited, yet such images are often seen in Iranian media. During a crackdown on the press that began eighteen months ago in Iran, over 80 reformist publications have been banned and dozens of journalists imprisoned. Last month, Mohammad Khatami, the reformist President of Iran and a staunch supporter of press freedom, strongly condemned the banning of publications and stated that he would seek greater powers to uphold the constitution. Mr. Khatami claims that the Guardian Council has ignored his repeated warnings regarding constitutional violations.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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