By Desmond Nleya Daily Times
Counter terror police are investigating an attack on a prominent Iranian dissident journalist claim he was targeted by a two-man team who escaped in a waiting car in south London.
Pouria Zeraati, who works for the Iran International TV channel, has been repeatedly targeted by Tehran as the media organisation is openly critical of the government’s regime.
It is believed either agents working directly for the Iranian government or a criminal gang hired by Tehran targeted Zeraati, who hosts a high-profile TV show in London.
According to The Times, initial indications suggest one of the gang asked Zeraati for cash and then held him in a bear hug while the second operative approached and stabbed the opposition journalist in the leg at 2.49pm yesterday.
The 36-year-old journalist, who presents the Last Word show on the channel, was rushed to hospital where he is in a stable condition.
The two suspects fled in a waiting car.
Earlier this year, Iranian officials plotted to kill two of Zeraati’s colleagues, while Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev was jailed or spying on journalists at Iran International on behalf of Tehran
The pair wanted to arranged the assassinations of journalists Fardad Farahzad and Sima Sabet to death.
An earlier iteration of the plan involved a car bomb.
The Iranian agents wanted a people smuggler to carry out the assassinations.
Anyone with information should contact police by calling 0800 789 321.
Iran International English posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying: ‘Iran International’s journalist @pouriazeraati has been attacked with a knife outside his house in London.
‘He has sustained injuries but is in a stable condition. The matter is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.
‘The attack comes after the Iranian regime’s 2022 plot to kill two @IranIntl television anchors @Sima-Sabet and @FardadFarahzad.’
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, called the incident a ‘cowardly attack’ and ‘deeply shocking’.
She said: ‘Our thoughts are with him, his family and all of his colleagues at Iran International. We hope he makes a swift recovery.
‘It is too early to know whether this violent assault is connected to the escalating intimidation and harassment by Iran, including the plot to assassinate journalists Fardad Farahzad and Sima Sabet in 2022.
‘However, this brutal stabbing will inevitably raise fears amongst the many journalists targeted at Iran International and the BBC Persian Service that they are not safe at home or going about their work.’
Ms Stanistreet added: ‘The NUJ sends its collective best wishes to Pouria and hopes he has a swift and full recovery.
‘We will continue to liaise with the Metropolitan Police and the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists, as part of our wider work to stamp out the harassment and targeting of journalists.’
Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron condemned Iran’s reported conviction of BBC Persian journalists, calling it ‘unacceptable’.
He said: ‘Documents published online suggest that 10 BBC Persian staff have been tried and convicted in Iran in absentia of propaganda against the Islamic Republic.
‘I think this is completely unacceptable behaviour. We do raise these issues with our Iranian counterparts.
‘And also, when I last met the Iranian foreign minister, I raised the case of the fact that Iran was paying thugs to try and murder Iranian journalists providing free and independent information for Iran TV in Britain.
‘On both counts, in my view, they are guilty.’
Ms Stanistreet added: ‘The systematic targeting of journalists, simply for doing their jobs, has to stop. The international community needs to up the pressure on Iran and the UN needs to hold Iran accountable for its actions.’
