News emerged from London on a Friday evening when a journalist working for Iran International, a Persian-language broadcaster based in the city, was stabbed at the doorway of their home in the southern part of London. Both the broadcaster and the Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident, which raised immediate concern about the safety of media workers covering sensitive regional affairs.
The network, established in 2017 and operating with additional bureaus in Washington and Paris, announced on X that the presenter Pouria Zeraati, aged 36, was in stable condition after receiving medical treatment for a leg wound. The channel emphasized that the attack occurred in the context of broader pressures faced by Persian-language journalists in the United Kingdom and beyond.
In a post from Iran International English, it was noted that the assault followed an alleged Iranian regime plot in 2022 to kill two of its presenters, Sima Sabet and Fardad Farahzad, underscoring threats received by journalists tied to Iranian-language media. The Metropolitan Police explained that a report of an assault on a man in the Wimbledon area was received at 14:49 GMT, with no arrests announced at the time the statement was issued.
Officials cautioned that the motive for the attack remained unclear as investigations began. However, given the victim’s role as a Persian-language journalist based in the United Kingdom, and considering recent threats directed at members of this journalist community, investigators from the counterterrorism command were assigned to review the case. The aim was to determine whether the incident aligns with other intimidation campaigns targeting Persian-language media or related groups.
Context from prior years shows that journalists in this field have faced heightened scrutiny and safety concerns. In late 2022, two British-Iranian reporters with Iran International faced threats, prompting police monitoring of the network. In early 2023, the channel temporarily shifted its operations to the United States before returning to London later that year. In response to the incident, Michelle Stanistreet, who leads the National Union of Journalists, described the stabbing as a cowardly and deeply troubling act, calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Analysts and officials noted that it is still too soon to determine whether the stabbing is connected to Iran-related intimidation incidents. Yet experts stressed that the event could intensify fears among Iranian-language media personnel who report from home or travel to cover sensitive topics. The attack is likely to prompt renewed discussions about the safety of journalists and the pressures they face when reporting on political issues tied to foreign governments.
Authorities from Scotland Yard added that since 2022, authorities have disrupted several plots aimed at harming individuals perceived as adversaries of the Iranian regime, including plans to abduct or kill journalists and other figures. As the investigation continues, law enforcement reiterated their commitment to pursuing all credible leads and ensuring public safety while upholding press freedom and the protection of reporters who operate in challenging environments. The incident has drawn reactions from press advocacy groups and international observers who monitor media freedom and safety for journalists operating across borders, particularly those covering Iran-related affairs.