Security forces arrested photojournalist Artin Ghazanfari in Mashhad and Hamed Araqi in Karaj. The detentions of these two photojournalists occurred amid a new wave of judicial and security crackdowns that began with the outbreak of anti-government protests across Iran.
More than a week after his arrest, no information is available regarding the fate or whereabouts of photojournalist Artin Ghazanfari. Security agents arrested him at his home in Mashhad on Monday, 19 January 2026, while simultaneously searching his residence and confiscating several items of his professional equipment. Artin Ghazanfari is a follower of the Baha’i faith. Since the start of the anti-government protests in Iran, the Islamic Republic has launched a new round of arrests and security measures targeting adherents of this faith.
No information is yet available about the situation of Hamed Araqi, a sports photographer for Peykan Club, who was arrested in Karaj on Friday, 9 January 2026. His detention coincided with the peak of the anti-government protests in Iran.
Iran is currently experiencing the most unprecedented information blackout in the history of the Islamic Republic. Beginning in the early days of 2026, as anti-government protests spread nationwide, the authorities initiated a fresh wave of judicial and security actions against journalists, media outlets, and independent narrators of events. International internet access was cut off, and widespread disruptions were imposed on domestic communication networks—including mobile phones. According to NetBlocks, the global internet observatory, the internet shutdown and severe communication disruptions that began 17 days ago remain in effect.
According to the annual report of the Organization for the Defense of Free Flow of Information (DeFFI), Iranian journalists and media outlets are enduring an exceptionally severe period of security pressure, judicial persecution, and deliberate interference in their professional activities—a situation the press freedom group has described as a “military posture against the free flow of information.” The report states that in 2025 alone, at least 225 journalists or media entities faced judicial or security measures; 25 journalists or media directors were sentenced to a combined total of over 30 years in prison and 293 million tomans in fines; at least 148 new judicial cases were opened against journalists and media outlets; and eight media organizations were shut down.
ollow-up news:
Hamed Araghi, a sports photographer who was arrested on Friday, January 9, 2026 in Karaj at the same time as the anti-government protests, was released on February 3, 2026 after posting bail.