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Iran jails psychologist over Trump plea as regime demands he make Americans ‘look stupid’: family
United States🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive2 days ago

Iran jails psychologist over Trump plea as regime demands he make Americans ‘look stupid’: family

An Iranian psychologist named Seyed Ahmad Seyedabdollahi was sentenced to seven months in prison after posting an English-language video appealing to former U.S. President Donald Trump to support Iranian protesters. The video, which urged Trump to act on his pledges to Iranians, led to his arrest 10 days later. According to multiple reports from Iran International, Iran Wire, Harana, and Hana Human Rights Organization, Seyedabdollahi was detained at his father's home in Borujen, had his electronics confiscated, and was placed in solitary confinement. His family claims he faced ongoing pressure from security authorities, including repeated interrogations and arrests. The Borujen Revolutionary Court convicted him of 'media activities against national security' and banned him from government work for five years. He was transferred to Borujen Prison to serve his sentence.

An Iranian psychologist who publicly urged President Donald Trump to support Iranian protesters has been sentenced to seven months in prison, according to reports. Seyed Ahmad Seyedabdollahi, a 32-year-old psychologist and counselor from Borujen, posted an English-language video on January 4, 2026, directly addressing Trump. In the video, he called on the U.S. leader to act swiftly on his pledge to assist Iranian demonstrators, emphasizing the trust young Iranians placed in his words. Seyedabdollahi’s video stated, “To prove your good intentions to the Iranian people, either do something without saying anything or act very quickly on your words, because many young people trust what you say. And, as you probably know, many things are useless to people who are dead. I assure you that the Iranian nation remembers good deeds well, and they will try to repay their friends in the future.” Ten days later, on January 14, Seyedabdollahi was arrested at his father’s home in Borujen. According to multiple reports, including those from Iran International, Iran Wire, and the Hana Human Rights Organization, plainclothes agents confiscated his phones and other electronic devices. He was then held in solitary confinement at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence detention facility in Isfahan. A relative of Seyedabdollahi told Fox News Digital that the video led to intense pressure from Iranian security authorities. “Since that day, he has faced serious pressure from Iranian security authorities. He was arrested twice and subjected to repeated interrogations,” the relative said. “During his detention, he spent extended periods in solitary confinement.” Seyedabdollahi was eventually convicted by Branch One of the Borujen Revolutionary Court for “engaging in media activities against national security.” He received a seven-month prison sentence and a five-year ban from government and public service positions. He was detained again on July 7 to start serving his sentence and remains in Borujen Prison. The Hana Human Rights Organization noted that Seyedabdollahi was denied contact with his family for 17 days after his initial arrest and that his family initially had no knowledge of his whereabouts. Additionally, Iran International reported that he was denied access to a chosen lawyer during his detention and was occasionally prevented from communicating with his family. Iranian authorities have also initiated a second case against Seyedabdollahi, charging him with “propaganda against the establishment” or “propaganda against the system of the Islamic Republic.” This case, opened in June, is still in its early stages of investigation. Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital suggest that investigators looked into alleged foreign ties and financial dealings involving the United States and Israel. A relative recounted that interrogators accused Seyedabdollahi of being affiliated with the CIA and Mossad and of accepting money for producing the video. “They told him you are a member of the CIA and Mossad and you took money from them for this job,” the relative said. Furthermore, the relative claimed that authorities pressured Seyedabdollahi to create a second video contradicting his original message, which would involve insulting Trump and portraying Americans as foolish and uninformed. “He did not give in to numerous pressures to publish a clip that contradicted the first video,” the relative said. “He was asked to sexually insult Trump and make the American people look stupid and ignorant so that we could broadcast your clip on the national media.” According to the relative, Seyedabdollahi continues to face pressure within Borujen Prison even after refusing these demands. “His situation in Borujen Prison is not good because he has been out of solitary confinement for a few days, but sometimes they take him back,” the relative said.

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4 reports

OCCRP logoOCCRPIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 705 days ago
Iran Moves to Outlaw All Contact With "Hostile" Foreign Media

Iran's parliament has approved the general framework of a bill that would criminalize interactions with foreign media outlets labeled 'hostile,' primarily those linked to the U.S. or Israel. The proposed law would penalize citizens who communicate with such media, including giving interviews or sharing information, with prison terms ranging from six months to two years. Iranian officials justify the measure as a necessary national security action to prevent foreign influence. However, international human rights organizations have condemned the bill as part of a broader effort to suppress dissent and restrict access to information within Iran. Critics argue that the law threatens to eliminate independent journalism from the country and exacerbates existing restrictions on freedom of expression.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the Iranian government's justification for the bill and international criticism of it, offering balanced perspectives without overtly favoring either side. It includes quotes from multiple sources, including Iranian officials and international human rights organizations, to

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a proposed Iranian law targeting communication with 'hostile' foreign media, aligning with the broader context of restrictions on free speech and press freedoms. While it doesn't directly reference Seyedabdollahi's case, it reflects similar themes of censorship and control ove

Why objectivity (70): The article presents the Iranian government's rationale for the law while also citing international human rights groups' concerns. However, it frames the issue through the lens of national security versus freedom of expression, which could be seen as slightly biased toward the perspective of externa

The Daily Wire logoThe Daily WireIndependentProgressiveFactual 58Objective 627 days ago
Iranian Prisoner Refuses Regime Order To Film Video Trashing Trump

An Iranian psychologist named Seyed Ahmad Seyedabdollahi was sentenced to seven months in prison for 'media activities against national security' after posting a video urging President Donald Trump to support Iranian protesters. His family claims Iranian authorities pressured him to create a video discrediting Trump and the American people, though this was not independently verified. Seyedabdollahi was arrested in January 2026, held in solitary confinement, and denied access to legal counsel and family communication. He was released on bail in March but was rearrested in July to start his sentence. A human rights organization documented his mistreatment, including 17 days without family contact. Authorities have initiated a second case against him under charges related to 'propaganda against the state.'

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the Iranian regime's actions as oppressive and unjust, emphasizing the psychological profession of the accused and the perceived moral stance of urging support for protesters. It highlights the restrictions placed on the individual's freedom of expression and due process, which is

Why factuality (58): The article reports some facts accurately, including Seyedabdollahi's arrest, the video content, and the charges. However, it omits critical details from the primary source document, such as the second case, the denial of family contact, and the constitutional violations. It also presents the situat

Why objectivity (62): The tone is somewhat sensationalized, focusing on the confrontation with Trump and implying a direct cause-effect relationship between the video and the arrest. While not overtly biased, it frames the story in a way that highlights the conflict with U.S. leadership rather than the broader issue of p

Fox News (World) logoFox News (World)IndependentConservativeFactual 55Objective 588 days ago
Iran jails psychologist over Trump plea as regime demands he make Americans ‘look stupid’: family

An Iranian psychologist named Seyed Ahmad Seyedabdollahi was sentenced to seven months in prison after posting an English-language video appealing to former U.S. President Donald Trump to support Iranian protesters. The video, which urged Trump to act on his pledges to Iranians, led to his arrest 10 days later. According to multiple reports from Iran International, Iran Wire, Harana, and Hana Human Rights Organization, Seyedabdollahi was detained at his father's home in Borujen, had his electronics confiscated, and was placed in solitary confinement. His family claims he faced ongoing pressure from security authorities, including repeated interrogations and arrests. The Borujen Revolutionary Court convicted him of 'media activities against national security' and banned him from government work for five years. He was transferred to Borujen Prison to serve his sentence.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the incident as a case of Iranian authorities suppressing dissent, particularly targeting an individual who reached out to a former U.S. president. While the subject involves international relations and human rights concerns, the framing emphasizes the actions of the Iranian state

Why factuality (55): This article closely mirrors the primary source document in reporting the arrest, the video content, and the charges. However, it lacks significant details such as the second case, the duration of solitary confinement, and the constitutional issues raised by Hana. It also fails to mention the five-y

Why objectivity (58): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, presenting the facts without overt bias. However, it uses phrases like 'regime demands' and 'jails psychologist,' which may subtly imply a negative judgment of the Iranian government. The focus on the interaction with Trump and the 'look stupid' accus

TechCrunch logoTechCrunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 0Objective 852 days ago
US government lab is probing Chinese lidar for security vulnerabilities

A U.S. Department of Energy lab, specifically the Idaho National Laboratory, is conducting a review to assess potential security risks associated with Chinese lidar sensors used in autonomous vehicles. The investigation, funded by companies in the electric and autonomous vehicle industry, follows growing legislative efforts to restrict the use of Chinese-made lidar on American roads. Lawmakers like Senator Tammy Baldwin and Congressman John Moolenaar have raised concerns about espionage and data security, citing fears that Chinese lidar could be exploited for intelligence gathering. While some companies such as Rivian and General Motors claim unawareness of the review, others like Innoviz highlight broader supply chain risks linked to China's strategic focus on lidar technology.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue through the lens of national security and legislative action, emphasizing concerns about Chinese technological influence and espionage. While it presents both sides (e.g., mentioning bipartisan support for restrictions), the emphasis on 'national security' and the direct

Why factuality (0): This article discusses a completely unrelated topic about Chinese lidar sensors and U.S. security concerns. It does not mention anything related to the primary source document about Seyedabdollahi's case. Therefore, it cannot be assessed for factuality regarding the subject matter.

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone and presents facts about the U.S. government's investigation into Chinese lidar sensors. There is no evident bias or emotional language.

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