- Iranian journalist stabbed in south London; anti-terrorism authorities investigate
- Iran International staff face escalated threats; broadcaster denies involvement
- NUJ condemns attack; journalists vow to continue despite intimidation
Anti-terrorism authorities are investigating the Friday afternoon assault in south London.
A defiant photo of an Iranian television journalist who was hospitalised after being stabbed outside his London residence on Friday has been shared online. This comes after a colleague at his broadcaster stated that threats against its staff had “significantly escalated.”
On Friday afternoon, Pouria Zeraati, a presenter for the London-based broadcaster Iran International, sustained a stab wound to the leg while residing in his residence in Wimbledon, south London.
On Saturday afternoon, the 36-year-old uploaded a photo of himself in a hospital bed to social media, where he was depicted making the ‘peace’ sign with his fingertips.
Police have stated that the motive for the assault is still unknown; however, due to his occupation and recent threats against Iranian journalists based in the United Kingdom, specialised counter-terrorism officers were leading the investigation.
Adam Baillie, a spokesman for Iran International, stated that its broadcasters have been the target of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) attacks.
Mr. Baillie added that in October 2022, the IRGC, a critical security force for the Tehran regime, “nakedly” and “openly” warned Iran International, “We’re coming for you.”
“We cannot speculate as to the motivations for the attack itself,” he responded when questioned. Presumably, the investigation’s leadership in counter-terrorism is self-explanatory.
He added, however, that Mr. Zeraati had previously been threatened with death and that the level of danger directed at Iran International’s employees had “dramatically increased” over time.
Several alleged plots to kidnap or murder British or United Kingdom-based individuals considered enemies of the Iranian regime have reportedly been thwarted by authorities since 2022.
The Iranian charge d’affaires in the United Kingdom, Mehdi Hosseini Matin, maintained that “we deny any link” to the Friday knife attack.
Mr. Baillie of Iran International remarked, “I just spoke with him [Mr. Zeraati]… and while he sounded perfectly normal, he was highly distressed by the situation.
“However, his recovery is proceeding well, and he is eager to return to work, which is fantastic.
“I am distraught as this represents the initial instance of a physical assault targeting a member of the staff.
“However, our personnel have been subjected to significant dangers for the past year and a half.”
Even Pouria, who has been singled out alongside other prominent presenters on our channel and has received numerous death threats in the past eighteen months, has been subjected to an extreme escalation of threats against individuals.
Iran International relocated to studios in Washington in early December following what it termed an escalation of “state-backed threats from Iran” and a temporary cessation of operations in London. The station recommenced its activities at a recently established site in London in September of last year.
Since the inception of the channel in 2017, Mr Baillie stated that employees had been subjected to significant overt and covert pressure from Iranian government authorities.
He added that the IRGC has designated Iran International as a terrorist organisation and that threats have been made against the families of their employees.
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The general secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Michelle Stanistreet, described the Friday stabbing as a “cowardly attack” and “deeply shocking.” She added that it would “inevitably fuel fears among the numerous journalists who were targeted at Iran International and the BBC Persian Service that they are not secure at home or while performing their duties.”
When asked how Iranian journalists react to the coercion, Mr. Baillie responded, “The performance must continue. That is the attitude, without a doubt.
“Moreover, it is abundantly clear that despite the fact that living and working under such a constant threat is extremely unsettling, individuals manage it, and they are exceptionally devoted journalists.”
“With great success, they uphold their commitment to an open and free press and to the dissemination of information.” Furthermore, as they achieve tremendous success, the magnitude of the threats escalates.
