New York Times: Iranian authorities have prevented our correspondent from continuing work in Tehran

The American newspaper New York Times announced on Monday that Iranian authorities have prevented Thomas Erdbrink, the newspaper’s correspondent in Tehran, from continuing his work over the past four months.

The newspaper states that Thomas Erdbrink, a Dutch citizen, has been working as a correspondent for the New York Times in Iran since 2012. He, who is a resident of Tehran, has been unable to continue his work since late February of this year due to the cancellation of his work permit.

The New York Times added that following reports published on this matter on social media networks, it decided to publicly announce the prevention of Thomas Erdbrink’s activities in Iran.

Michael Skelmanin, editor of Times magazine, said in this regard that Iranian Foreign Ministry officials have repeatedly assured that Thomas Erdbrink’s work permit will be renewed soon, but no explanation has been provided for the delays in this matter or why his permit was cancelled.

Michael Skelmanin, however, says there are some signs that this matter will be resolved soon.

The New York Times also reports that Niusha Toklian, Thomas Erdbrink’s wife, who is an Iranian citizen and worked for Magnum photo agency, has also lost her work permit. Niusha Toklian has been collaborating with the New York Times and other international media since 2001.

The report adds that Thomas Erdbrink’s permit had been temporarily cancelled previously.

The New York Times added that Thomas Erdbrink previously worked for the Washington Post in Tehran.

However, after him, Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American journalist, began working as a correspondent for the Washington Post in Tehran and was arrested in July 2014.

Islamic Republic security forces arrested Jason Rezaian along with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, in their apartment in Tehran on July 31, 2014. The two were then transferred to Evin Prison.

Ms. Salehi was released from prison after 71 days in detention and on a bail of 32 thousand dollars. However, Jason Rezaian was charged in court with espionage and acting against national security and was tried by Judge Salwati.

Mr. Rezaian was ultimately released after 544 days in prison along with another group of Iranian-American citizens imprisoned in Iran, during an exchange with a group of Iranian-descent prisoners in the United States, on the day the nuclear deal was implemented.

Source: Radio Farda