U.S. journalist inside Evin Prison reports dire conditions and health risks

A fresh voice memo from Reza Valizadeh, a dual Iranian-American journalist incarcerated since 2024, was shared with one outlet, highlighting the near-absence of medical care in Evin Prison. He described how only minimal drugs reach inmates, many of which are pilfered by staff, and how prison physicians are unmotivated and incompetent. Valizadeh reported a case of pulmonary tuberculosis, with the patient coughing blood for six months before finally being transferred to a hospital, raising concerns about widespread exposure.

He also recounted that his family has been barred from visits for five months, a punishment he believes is linked to the wartime context. Additionally, he confirmed that Kamran Hekmati, an Iranian-American detained for alleged ties to Israel, was ordered back to prison after a short medical leave intended for chemotherapy. The attorney Ryan Fayhee urged that President Donald Trump prioritize their release in diplomatic talks.