Iranian Newspaper Editor Sacked after Criticizing Official

The editor of the state-run Iran newspaper says has been fired from the publication for criticizing a government official on social media. 

"I was fired from Iran newspaper for the [supposed] crime of asking a simple question in the comment section of Mr. Khalji's Instagram post, who is the head of the Government's Information Council," Hamed Talebi said in a tweet on May 9. 

Talebi had previously expressed concerns about threats made by employees of President Ebrahim Raisi's office. 

The journalist had been known for criticizing independent journalists and government critics throughout his career. 

His reported sacking comes amid a crackdown by the authorities on dissent and the media.

Dozens of journalists have been arrested since anti-government protests erupted across the country following the September 2022 death in police custody of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini.