Iran International Says Journalist's Family Detained In Tehran Amid Pressure To Resign

Last Updated:June 29, 2025, 17:58 IST

The TV presenter’s mother, father, and younger brother were detained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps at an undisclosed location in Tehran

The female presenter, whose identity has not been disclosed, received a phone call from her father, who begged her to resign. (Representational image via AFP)

London-based news network Iran has accused the Iranian regime of detaining three relatives of one of its female presenters in an attempt to force her resignation from the network.

According to a statement released by the channel, the presenter’s mother, father, and younger brother were detained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and are currently being held at an undisclosed location in Tehran.

Iran reported the incident on 21 June. According to the channel, the presenter, whose identity has not been disclosed, received a phone call from her father, who begged her to resign, while voices of security agents could be heard in the background instructing him on what to say.

“I’ve told you a thousand times to resign. What other consequences do you expect? You have to resign," he reportedly told her, according to Iran .

A spokesperson for the channel condemned the incident, calling it a “shocking act of hostage-taking" and an attempt to force the journalist to quit her job.

“Iran strongly condemns the Islamic Republic’s recent abduction of family members of one of our journalists, an appalling act of hostage-taking aimed at coercing our colleague into resigning from their post," the spokesperson said.

“This deeply reprehensible tactic marks a dangerous escalation in the Islamic Republic’s ruthless campaign to silence dissent and suppress independent journalism."

Iran , based in London and operated by Volant Media UK Limited, broadcasts in Persian and is considered the most-watched news channel in Iran. The network is known for its uncensored reporting and analysis, especially on sensitive issues such as protests and human rights violations in Iran.

The Iranian government declared the channel a terrorist organisation following its coverage of the 2022 protests after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody following her arrest for allegedly violating Iran’s strict dress code for women.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has previously raised concerns over the safety of Iranian journalists working abroad. Last year, RSF had urged the UK government to provide better protection for Iranian journalists in Britain following the stabbing of Iran presenter Pouria Zeraati outside his home in London.

RSF has reported that nearly 90% of Iranian journalists surveyed have experienced online threats or harassment, with women in particular facing coordinated efforts to damage their reputations. These threats have come from the Iranian regime, as well as opposition groups and political activists.

(With inputs from agencies)

London, United Kingdom (UK)

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