On January 16, 2026, Navid Zarrehbin Irani, a freelance documentary photographer, was arrested by Iranian security forces at his home in the northeastern city of Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan Razavi province.
Irani, who has worked as a documentary photographer for more than two decades, was detained after security agents raided his residence and confiscated his personal and professional equipment, according to two sources familiar with the case.
His family confirmed that since the arrest, Iranian authorities have provided no information about Irani’s whereabouts or place of detention. Niloofar Azimian, Irani’s sister-in-law who lives in the Netherlands, told CPJ that the family has had no contact with him and has not been informed of any charges or legal proceedings.
Iran’s prolonged nationwide internet blackout, imposed on January 8, has severely restricted communication and access to information, preventing families from contacting detainees and limiting transparency around arrests, including Irani’s case.
Irani’s work has appeared in books and through various media outlets and centers on long-term documentary projects. According to Azimian, because of his Bahá’í faith, Irani has long been barred from publicly exhibiting his work in Iran and has faced sustained pressure and discrimination from authorities.
Azimian said the family believes Irani may have been documenting recent protests. Following his arrest, the family deactivated his social media accounts to reduce the risk of further surveillance and reprisals.
Human rights groups warn that Bahá’ís in Iran face systematic discrimination, including exclusion from certain professions and educational opportunities, placing them at heightened risk of persecution.
CPJ emailed Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York for comment but received no response.