In August, Reza Valizadeh posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran despite Radio Farad being viewed by Iran’s theocracy as a hostile outlet.
Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist, reportedly has been detained in Iran for months now, US authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The US State Department told the Associated Press that Valizadeh, who worked for an American government-funded news outlet, is currently incarcerated at the Evin Prison.
https://twitter.com/jrezaian/status/1581357741620109313
The move comes in the backdrop of the US being involved in a virtual war of words with Iran over Israeli strikes on the country, which were retaliatory following Tehran’s attack.
It also followed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatening both Israel and the US the day before with “a crushing response” as long-range B-52 bombers reached the Middle East in an attempt to deter Tehran.
The journalist has worked with Radio Farda, owned and controlled by Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty, under the supervision of the US Agency for Global Media. He also holds dual citizenship through the United States of America and Iran.
In August, Valizadeh posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran despite Radio Farda being viewed by Iran’s theocracy as a hostile outlet.
“I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Before that, I had unfinished negotiations with the (Revolutionary Guard’s) intelligence department,” the message read in part. “Eventually, I returned to my country after 13 years without any security guarantee, even a verbal one.”
