In the early stages of Israel’s offensive against Iran, U.S.-funded Radio Farda, which broadcasts in Persian inside Iran, quickly debunked a false report from Iranian state media claiming an Israeli pilot had been captured.
Despite facing uncertainty under the Trump administration—along with VOA’s Persian-language TV service—Radio Farda has pressed on with its coverage.
Operating out of Prague as part of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Farda has kept broadcasting even after more than half its staff were furloughed, according to managing editor Golnaz Esfandiani. Meanwhile, VOA Persian staff, who had been placed on administrative leave in March, were abruptly told to return to work last Friday.
“We’ve been providing real-time updates to Iranians throughout the conflict,” Esfandiani said, noting that the team has also been producing explanatory reports on Iran’s nuclear program and short-form videos for social media.
