Journalist Union Urges Iran To Cease Targeting Journalists Following London Stabbing

Pouria Zeraati, the television host of the "Last Word" program on Iran International
Pouria Zeraati, the television host of the "Last Word" program on Iran International

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has issued a call to the Iranian regime urging an immediate halt to the targeting of journalists in the wake of the stabbing of an Iran International journalist last week.

Pouria Zeraati was seriously injured in an attack as he left his home on March 29 in south London by what is suspected to have been covert Iranian security agents, coming on the back of long standing threats faced by Iran International from the Iranian government, with other journalists at the network also enduring imminent threats of violence since 2022. 

Although the police have yet to identify the assailants, Iran's government has a history of conducting numerous attacks against dissidents and journalists outside the country over the past 45 years.

Expressing solidarity with Zeraati and his family, the IFJ stressed, "Targeting journalists for simply doing their job must stop now!"

Previously, the National Union of Journalists in the UK (NUJ) condemned the attack on Zeraati, with General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet calling the incident a "cowardly attack" and "deeply shocking."

Stanistreet emphasized the need for the international community to pressure Iran and hold it accountable for its actions, stating, "The systematic targeting of journalists – simply for doing their jobs – has to stop."

The NUJ also extended its collective well-wishes to Zeraati for a swift recovery and pledges to collaborate with law enforcement and relevant bodies to combat the harassment and targeting of journalists.