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Despite its rich cultural and literary traditions, Iran is among the world’s most dangerous countries for writers to express themselves freely. While human rights conditions have been dire for decades, the state of free expression and respect for human rights has deteriorated even further in recent years. Iranian authorities carried out brutal crackdowns on dissent following nationwide protests in December 2025 against human rights abuses and economic issues in the country, accompanied by internet shutdowns that limit the people’s voices from reaching the rest of the world. Many writers in Iran are targeted and jailed for sharing their independent and critical perspectives, and dozens more have fled into exile for their own safety. 

A large Iranian flag flies atop a building overlooking a densely packed cityscape of Tehran, with tall buildings in the foreground and mountains in the background under a hazy sky.
Photo by Middle East Images / AP Photo

What You Need to Know

Iran’s routine crackdowns on political dissent and commentary on social issues have kept the country among the world’s top jailers of writers since 2019, according to the Freedom to Write Index. 

Iran remains the leading jailer of female writers in the world, targeting many for their writing and advocacy against mandatory hijab policies and other laws that discriminate against women. 

Numerous writers who advocate for greater human rights and cultural rights for ethnic and religious minorities are persecuted for their expression.

News

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Individual Cases

  • A person with curly black hair and light skin, wearing a dark red velvet top, looks directly at the camera against a plain dark background—a portrait reminiscent of Narges Mohammadi’s striking presence.

    Narges Mohammadi

    Status:

    Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist, author, journalist, and deputy director and spokesperson of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre… More

  • A person with short dark hair and a neutral expression is wearing a black jacket and looking slightly past the camera against a plain light background.

    Nasrin Sotoudeh

    Status:

    A human rights lawyer and prominent voice of conscience, Nasrin Sotoudeh has been targeted and jailed by the Iranian government… More

  • A smiling man with curly gray hair and glasses stands against a teal wall, wearing a green button-up shirt.

    Baktash Abtin

    Status:

    Baktash Abtin was a celebrated poet, filmmaker, and board member of the Iranian Writers Association (IWA). Along with two other… More

  • A woman with long dark hair wearing a red scarf over a light blue garment stands outdoors with a blurred, grayscale natural background.

    Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee

    Status:

    Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee has faced more than a decade of harassment, detention, and repeated imprisonment for her writing and activism… More

  • A bearded man wearing glasses and a plaid shirt sits indoors, smiling with his arms crossed. The room has warm yellow lighting, with a sofa and curtains in the background. A green bottle is visible in the foreground.

    Ali Asadollahi

    Status:

    Ali Asadollahi is a noted poet, writer, translator, and member of the Iranian Writers’ Association. He has written six poetry… More

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PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award 2023 Honoree Narges Mohammadi

Targeted by the Iranian government for more than 30 years for her writings and human rights activism, Narges Mohammadi is currently jailed on false charges of “spreading anti-state propaganda” and defamation. Mohammadi was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 6, 2023.

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Advocacy

PEN America joins with allies in international bodies, with partner organizations, and with individuals to advocate for freedom of expression in Iran.

Experts