66-year-old Baha'i adherent detained in Shiraz; fate remains unknown

Hengaw – Saturday, July 5, 2025

Mehran Dastoornejad, a 66-year-old adherent of the Baha'i faith from Shiraz, was arrested by agents of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His whereabouts and condition remain unknown.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Dastoornejad was arrested seven days ago, and no details have been made available regarding his location or current status.

In recent weeks, amid escalating tensions between Israel and the Iranian government, numerous members of the Baha'i community have been violently detained.

Dastoornejad's daughter, Bushra, who is an actress based in the United States, wrote on her Instagram account: “My father's only crime is being a member of the Baha'i community and refusing to leave Iran.”

She added that her father is a quiet and peaceful man who has devoted his life to caring for his 92-year-old mother.

Dastoornejad was violently arrested at his home in Shiraz on Saturday, June 28, 2025, without the presentation of a warrant. He was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.