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USA: The Trial of Elaheh and Niloufar is an Obvious Attempt by the Islamic Republic to Intimidate Journalists

Jul 10, 2026 July 10, 2026 3 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The U.S. State Department condemned the Iranian judiciary's trial of journalists Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, claiming it is an attempt to intimidate journalists following their reporting on Mahsa Amini's death. The Iranian regime has accused them of collaborating with the U.S., which the U.S. has denied as baseless. This situation highlights ongoing human rights violations and the suppression of press freedom in Iran.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The trial of these journalists is a clear attempt to intimidate the press in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Niloufar Hamedi (نیلوفر حامدی) TARGET
Journalist
"These two women should never have been arrested."
Elaheh Mohammadi (الهه محمدی) TARGET
Journalist
"These two women should never have been arrested."
U.S. State Department ACTOR
U.S. government body
"We are closely monitoring the Iranian regime's treatment of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi."
Iranian judiciary ACCUSED
Judicial body of Iran
"The judiciary's claim: The case of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi has no connection to their profession as journalists."
Saeedeh Fathi Abadi QUOTED
Legal expert
"The Islamic Republic does not even adhere to its own laws regarding Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi."
Ahmadinejad Niaz QUOTED
Legal expert
"Iran has made the case of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi a security issue and it is illegal."

⚡ Actions

Iranian authorities ARREST Niloufar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi
"These two women should never have been arrested."
Confidence: 90%
U.S. State Department ANNOUNCE Iranian regime
"We are closely monitoring the Iranian regime's treatment of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi."
Confidence: 90%
U.S. State Department DENY Iranian judiciary
"These baseless and incorrect accusations aim to discredit the prominent and recognized international reports."
Confidence: 90%

📰 What Happened

U.S. condemns Iran's trial of journalists as intimidation tactics against press freedom.

  • Iranian authorities arrest Niloufar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi
  • U.S. State Department announce Iranian regime
  • U.S. State Department deny Iranian judiciary

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Because it highlights the regime's crackdown on press freedom.
🌍 Regional: Because it raises concerns about human rights violations in Iran.
🌐 International: Because it draws attention to the Iranian regime's treatment of journalists.

📚 Background

The trial of these journalists is a clear attempt to intimidate the press in Iran.

📝 Key Evidence

"These two women should never have been arrested."
→ Indicates the unjust nature of the arrests.
"We are closely monitoring the Iranian regime's treatment of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi."
→ Shows U.S. engagement and concern over human rights.
"The judiciary's claim: The case of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi has no connection to their profession as journalists."
→ Indicates the regime's attempt to discredit the journalists.
📡 Source: INTERNATIONAL
📊 Confidence: 80%
VOA Persian is known for its critical stance towards the Iranian regime.

Two days after claims by officials of the Islamic Republic's judiciary regarding 'the connection of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi with the U.S. government,' the U.S. State Department reacted by denying this claim, stating that the trial of these two journalists, who played a role in reporting the death of Mahsa Amini, is aimed at 'intimidating journalists in Iran.' The Persian Twitter account of the U.S. State Department stated: 'We are closely monitoring the Iranian regime's treatment of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi and the fabricated trials of Iran's judiciary. We are also aware of the Iranian regime's claims that these women have 'collaborated' with the United States. These baseless and incorrect accusations aim to discredit the prominent and recognized international reports of Niloufar and Elaheh. These two women should never have been arrested. These trials are a blatant attempt to intimidate journalists in Iran and force them into silence. The world is watching. We once again urge Iran's leadership to free Niloufar and Elaheh and to cease the intimidation and unjust detention of journalists.' Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi were arrested ten months ago after the publication of supplementary reports on Mahsa Amini's death by the security apparatus of the Islamic Republic. After months of delay, they were recently tried in two court sessions, where both journalists stated that they were merely reporting in their articles. The spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary claimed on Tuesday, August 1, that the charges against these two journalists have no connection to the report on the death of Ms. Mahsa Amini and their profession as journalists, and stated that Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi have collaborated with the U.S. Earlier, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department had denied the claim of these journalists' collaboration with the U.S., calling it 'baseless and incorrect.' Saeedeh Fathi Abadi: The Islamic Republic does not even adhere to its own laws regarding Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi. Ahmadinejad Niaz: Iran has made the case of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi a security issue and it is illegal. A popular video of Niloufar Hamedi, a jailed journalist, dancing 300 days after her arrest. The judiciary's claim: The case of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi has no connection to their profession as journalists. The U.S. is monitoring the conditions of imprisoned Iranian journalists; the world is witnessing human rights violations in Iran. The International Press Club Award was given to Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi. Users ahead of the trial of the two journalists: We are the resounding voice of 'Elaheh - Niloufar.' The three-hundredth day of Niloufar Hamedi's detention; the U.S. reaction to the arbitrary detention of Iranian journalists. Exclusive: Elaheh Mohammadi's political guardian: I am amazed by her power and that of Iranian women.

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

Translation confidence: 85%

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