The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said on Wednesday that Iran remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for independent reporters, detailing a pattern of threats, surveillance, arbitrary arrests and prosecutions targeting media workers this year.
“Locking up independent journalists is a critical part of the Islamic Republic’s strategy to silence dissent and hold onto power,” CHRI Executive Director Hadi Ghaemi said, urging the UN, governments and international media groups to press for the release of imprisoned journalists and the protection of press freedom.
“The international community should speak out for the individuals in Iran sacrificing their livelihoods and often their freedom to speak truth to power,” he added.
Citing Reporters Without Borders data, CHRI said that at least 21 journalists are currently detained in Iran and that the country ranks 176th out of 180 on press freedom.
While Article 24 of Iran’s constitution guarantees a free press, CHRI said Iran’s press laws enable repression through charges such as spreading false information, insulting the Supreme Leader, propaganda against the state, and endangering the Islamic Republic.
The group listed recent cases, including summonses and prosecutions of reporters in multiple provinces; a three-month prison sentence for journalist Omid Faraghat on “propaganda” charges; the detention of photojournalists covering the aftermath of Israeli strikes on state broadcaster IRIB; and the August 19 shuttering of the Tehran Journalists’ Trade Association office, which the association called “a blatant assault on professional independence.”
CHRI also highlighted the Intelligence Ministry’s announcement that it summoned or detained 98 people described as “citizen-journalists” over alleged ties to an overseas Persian-language outlet during the June Iran-Israel war, without providing names or legal status.
In an interview published by CHRI, a female journalist described licensing hurdles, pervasive security vetting, and what she called a “mafia-like, state-controlled” media market that forces self-censorship or exile.
In a separate nationwide survey of provincial crackdowns after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, CHRI said at least 58 activists, lawyers and bereaved family members were arbitrarily detained, at least 25 were charged or sentenced, 11 political prisoners faced intensified pressure including denial of medical care, and at least six people were executed on espionage charges.
CHRI said minorities were disproportionately targeted and called for robust international scrutiny and accountability measures.
Gamliel said Israel backs Prince Pahlavi, calling him a figure trusted by the Iranian people.
“The choice belongs to the Iranian nation, but we see that Iranians believe in Reza Pahlavi and support him. We in Israel also support him, because we see the people of Iran standing with him,” she told Iran International’s Babak Es'haghi.
Pahlavi traveled to Israel in 2023 at the invitation of then-intelligence minister Gamliel and met Benjamin Netanyahu. However, this is the first time a Netanyahu cabinet member is publicly expressing Israeli support for Pahlavi to overthrow the Islamic Republic.
In June, Israel commenced heavy bombing of Iran’s nuclear and military sites and was preparing a final wave of attacks aimed at toppling Iran’s ruling system when US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire, The Washington Post reported in July, citing Israeli and American officials involved in the operation.
Sporadic protests have erupted in parts of Iran after the 12-day war with Israel, mainly over water and power shortages and poverty, but their scope has remained limited.
“No one expects people to take to the streets in the middle of a war," Gamliel told Iran International. "But we showed them their government is very weak. We are dealing with a regime that harms both its people and the world.”
“I firmly believe that when the Iranian people decide on change, we will stand with them with all our strength and goodwill," the Israeli minister said.
Asked about Israel’s vision for relations with Iran following a possible regime change, she said: “We see a future where the two nations cooperate. We have solutions for many of Iran’s problems in agriculture, energy, water, and technology.”
Both Netanyahu and former prime minister Naftali Bennett have previously expressed readiness to help Iranians with water and electricity crises after a regime change.
Prince's team in Israel
Gamliel made the remarks after hosting a delegation of experts dispatched by the exiled prince to Israel.
“The delegation sent by Prince Reza Pahlavi came to receive this knowledge and expertise. We hope one day to continue this cooperation in Tehran,” Gamliel said. “The Iranian people are not alone. We are here to respond, to offer solutions, and to build a better shared future.”
She invoked historic ties, saying: “We truly believe Iranians and Israelis must return to cooperation dating back 2,500 years, when Cyrus the Great allowed Jews to build the Second Temple. Together with Prince Reza Pahlavi and the Prime Minister, we aim to reach a Cyrus Accord —like the Abraham Accords—binding our nations politically, historically and culturally.”
Pahlavi’s senior adviser Saeed Ghasseminejad echoed that message, calling the Cyrus Accord “a symbol of historic Iran-Israel bonds” that could evolve into strategic partnership. He said Israel’s expertise in technology, management and policymaking could help future Iran tackle crises from water shortages to energy and infrastructure.
Pahlavi himself thanked Israel on X, writing: “Thank you, President Isaac Herzog and Minister Gila Gamliel, for welcoming my delegation of experts at a time when the Iranian people are suffering from a severe water crisis, electric shortages, and a collapsing economy. This mission is part of the Iran Prosperity Project, a blueprint for Iran’s rebirth aimed at unlocking our nation’s full potential after the fall of the Islamic Republic.”
He added that Iranian and Israeli experts would not only address the hardships brought about by the Islamic Republic but also “lay the groundwork for the future Cyrus Accords between Israel and a free, democratic, and prosperous Iran—strengthening the deep ties between our nations, envisioned by Cyrus the Great 2,500 years ago."
