Sentenced To 15 Years For Photography In Iran: The Images Of Iranian Yalda Moaiery
- By RFE/RL
Prominent Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery has been sentenced to a 15-year prison term for her work covering the US-Israeli war with Iran. Here are some of the images she captured of the conflict before the shock sentence was announced.
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A man looks out of a damaged building in Tehran during the US-Israeli war with Iran.
This picture is the work of Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery who learned she had been sentenced to 15 years in prison on August 8 for her work.
This picture is the work of Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery who learned she had been sentenced to 15 years in prison on August 8 for her work.
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Yalda Moaiery
The photojournalist was accused by Tehran of providing photographs to organizations linked to the United States and Israel, as well as giving interviews to media outlets deemed hostile to Iran.
The photojournalist was accused by Tehran of providing photographs to organizations linked to the United States and Israel, as well as giving interviews to media outlets deemed hostile to Iran.
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An image of the late Iranian supreme leaders Ruhollah Khomeini (right) and Ali Khamenei seen in Tehran after a strike during the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Following Israel’s surprise offensive on Iran in June 2025, Tehran passed a law that increased penalties for cooperation with Israel, the United States, and other states it deems hostile.
Following Israel’s surprise offensive on Iran in June 2025, Tehran passed a law that increased penalties for cooperation with Israel, the United States, and other states it deems hostile.
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Casualties seen on the street following a strike on Tehran in early 2026.
Moaiery told Reuters that members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps raided her home and seized her camera after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in early 2026.
Moaiery told Reuters that members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps raided her home and seized her camera after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in early 2026.
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Rescue workers standing at the site of a strike carried out during the US-Israel war with Iran.
Moaiery has previously been imprisoned for her work, including in 2022 when she spent three months in jail after photographing the “Women, Life, Freedom” protests that rocked Iran after the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman detained for allegedly violating Iran’s Islamic dress code.
Moaiery has previously been imprisoned for her work, including in 2022 when she spent three months in jail after photographing the “Women, Life, Freedom” protests that rocked Iran after the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman detained for allegedly violating Iran’s Islamic dress code.
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A man reacting at the site of a strike during the US-Israeli war with Iran.
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An Iranian flag in Tehran stained with blood after a strike during the war this year
Moaiery has been sentenced in absentia. Her whereabouts are not currently known.
Moaiery has been sentenced in absentia. Her whereabouts are not currently known.
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A rescuer resting at the site of a strike carried out during the US-Israel war with Iran.
Moaiery told Reuters that she will continue her work for as long as she can.
Moaiery told Reuters that she will continue her work for as long as she can.
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A wounded woman seen after a strike on Tehran.
“I don't have anything to lose." Moaiery said. "The regime took everything from me and the only thing that I still have is my truth and honesty as an observer."
“I don't have anything to lose." Moaiery said. "The regime took everything from me and the only thing that I still have is my truth and honesty as an observer."
