During the past month, Iran arrested at least 35 journalists and media directors according to Defending the Free Flow of Information (DFI), a 40% surge compared to the previous month.

Of the 35, seven were detained, with two transferred to prison. Eight more were summoned to judicial and security institutions.

Governmental entities lodged complaints against six journalists, one convicted by the press court and 12 receiving sentences ranging from imprisonment to fines and deprivation of their journalistic profession.

The most common charges included “disseminating falsehoods" and "propaganda against the system” among others.

The report also exposes numerous violations of legal rights, such as closed-door trials, property confiscations without warrants, and denial of access to legal counsel. Additionally, six media outlets faced legal scrutiny, with one outlet being seized and three outlets convicted in political and media courts.

As of the end of February, at least 10 journalists remain imprisoned in Iran's facilities, contributing to the nation's status as the world's third-largest jailer of journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Iran has long held one of the world’s worst press freedom rankings, at 178th out of 180 countries.

The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the actions, particularly in the wake of Mahsa Amini's death, reporting over 100 journalists detained and more than 21 sentenced to a total of 77 years in prison.