U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for Iran Calls for End to 'Transnational' Repression by the Islamic Republic

Abram Pili, the Deputy Special Envoy for Iran at the U.S. State Department, expressed serious concern over the 'transnational' repression by the 'Iranian regime' in a post on social media platform X on Monday, calling for it to stop. He shared an image of his meeting with several Iranian political activists and emphasized that such threats, especially on U.S. soil, are completely unjustifiable and must cease. This meeting occurred after an Iranian government affiliate threatened a group of Iranian opposition members who had gathered in front of the Islamic Training Center in Washington, Maryland, on June 2. United Nations experts had previously called for an end to violence and threats by the Islamic Republic against journalists active outside of Iran in a statement released on June 10. This statement noted that such attacks on journalists and media activists not only violate human rights regarding personal safety and security but are also aimed at suppressing freedom of expression and media, including legitimate criticism of the Iranian government. The Midpoint Journalism School reported on May 14 in its annual report about the increase in repression of journalists in Iran, stating that the Islamic Republic had committed 226 cases of repression against journalists and media in the past year, which included 102 cases of arrest or trial, 42 cases of summons or complaints, and 144 cases of judicial action. Reporters Without Borders has rated the Islamic Republic as 'one of the most repressive governments in the world' in terms of media freedom, ranking Iran 177th out of 180 countries regarding freedom of expression. According to this ranking, only three countries—Vietnam, China, and North Korea—are positioned lower than Iran.