On November 3, 2025, Parviz Sedaghat, editor-in-chief of the political economy monthly Naghde Eqtesad Siyasi, was arrested at his home in the capital Tehran, one of at least six left-wing intellectuals detained that day. No charges were made public.
Sedaghat is a prominent economist, columnist, author, and translator of seminal Marxist texts into Persian. He is known for his critical analysis of neoliberal policies. Naghde Eqtesad Siyasi columnists Shirin Karimi and Mahsa Asadollahnead were also arrested the same day.
In July, Sedeghat wrote that Iran’s economy was “trapped in a structural blockage” with a growing “distance between the majority of society and the ideology of the ruling minority.” He warned that, without reform, Iran would be pushed “towards a comprehensive and systematic collapse.”
Years of soaring inflation and corruption have widened the gap between ordinary Iranians and the powerful clerical and security elite, with the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions in September fueling frustrations.
Pressure on the media and activists in Iran has increased since June’s 12-day war with Israel.
The free expression advocacy group PEN America said the November 3 “arrests indicate the start of a ‘new wave’ of repression intended to silence and intimidate independent and critical voices.”
“The scholars stand accused of collusion with foreign powers, despite not only criticizing domestic policies, but also opposing foreign interference through economic sanctions. In the face of mounting military tensions in the region, the writers have also criticized war, which they argue hurts ordinary Iranians,” it said.
Colleagues told CPJ Sedaghat had not been heard from since his detention and was believed to have been transferred to Tehran’s Evin Prison, which houses the country’s most prominent political prisoners.
Sedaghat was released on bail on November 12, according to news reports.
CPJ emailed Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York for comment but received no response.