Pouria Zeraati
Iranian-British journalist and reporter
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Pouria Zeraati (Persian: پوریا زراعتی; born 22 September 1987) is an Iranian-British journalist and television presenter for Iran International. He is best known as the host of the analytical program The Last Word (Harf-e-Akhar). In March 2024, Zeraati survived a stabbing attack outside his home in London, an incident that drew international attention and sparked investigations into transnational repression.
22 September 1987
Pouria Zeraati | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pouria Zeraati 22 September 1987 |
| Alma mater | Brunel University London |
| Occupations | Journalist, television presenter, producer |
| Employer | Iran International |
Early life and career
Zeraati was born in Babolsar, Iran. He moved to the United Kingdom to study at Brunel University London, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. Despite his technical background, he transitioned into journalism, initially joining the Manoto network as a newsroom editor and host. In 2020, he joined Iran International as a producer and presenter. His reporting frequently addresses political corruption and human rights issues in Iran, leading the Iranian government to designate the network as a "terrorist organization" in 2022.[1]
2024 stabbing and investigation
Incident
On 29 March 2024, Zeraati was attacked by several men as he left his residence in Wimbledon, south London. He was approached by an individual who feigned a conversation before stabbing him in the leg. The assailants fled in a vehicle driven by a third person. Zeraati was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and released two days later.[2]
Legal proceedings
The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command led the investigation due to the victim's profession and previous threats from the Iranian state. Investigators determined the suspects fled the UK via Heathrow Airport within hours of the attack. In December 2024, two Romanian nationals, Nandito Badea and George Stana, were arrested in Romania and subsequently extradited to the UK to face charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.[3] In January 2025, a third suspect, a 40-year-old man, was arrested in London on suspicion of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.[4]
Relocation
In July 2024, Zeraati confirmed he had reluctantly moved abroad to a safer location in Israel, stating that the UK's strategy toward the Iranian regime could not guarantee his safety. He described the attack as a "warning shot" from the regime intended to silence dissenting voices in exile.[1][5]
Reactions
The attack was condemned by the National Union of Journalists and political figures such as Alicia Kearns, who called for the proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Iranian officials have denied any involvement in the incident.[6]