IFP Exclusive

US Arrest of Press TV’s Journo Violates Freedom of Expression: Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has dismissed the US detention of a journalist of the Iranian English-speaking television news network, Press TV, as “politically-motivated and unacceptable”, saying that Washington must immediately put an end to its political game.

In an interview with Al Alam News Network on Wednesday, the Iranian top diplomat urged the US officials to immediately free the Iranian-American Muslim journalist of Press TV, Marzieh Hashemi.

“The husband of Ms Hashemi was Iranian. So, she is deemed as an Iranian citizen and we feel duty-bound to defend the rights of our citizens,” he was quoted as saying in a report by Fars News Agency.

Zarif underlined that Ms Hashemi is a journalist and her professional life and career is completely clear.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi condemned the US for detaining Ms Hashemi and said the Islamic Republic demands the US government to provide the journalist with all her basic and human rights and release her from the illegal detention immediately and without any precondition.

Hashemi was arrested in an airport in the US city of St Louis on Sunday, and has been taken to a facility in Washington DC by the FBI.

Hashemi is being held in jail without any charges. She was born in the United States and used to live in Iran before the detention. The Muslim journalist has been working for Press TV for over a decade.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

Putin hopes to recapture lost territory in Kursk before Trump’s inauguration: Report

NATO allies believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aiming to recapture territory lost to…

53 mins ago

Iran does not rule out direct talks with US, advises Trump to avoid past mistakes

The Iranian government spokeswoman has not ruled out direct Iran-US talks under the new US…

3 hours ago

Over 320 humanitarian workers killed in Gaza since onset of war: UN

At least 322 humanitarian workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war…

3 hours ago

Trump chooses Iran hawk as UN ambassador

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a staunch ally of Israel…

5 hours ago

Iran, Russia payment networks connected

Russia’s Mir payment network and Iran’s Shetab payment system were officially connected in a ceremony…

5 hours ago

Iran VP praises OIC-Arab League summit, calls for closer relations with Saudi Arabia

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has stated that the joint summit meeting of…

6 hours ago