Wildlife conservationists Houman Jowkar and Sepideh Kashani, as well as Sima Kashani, the sister of Sepideh, were arrested on July 1, 2026. The conservationists were members of the now-defunct Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF) regarded for its years-long work on the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus).
July 19, 2026
Masoud Pezeshkian
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency
Pasteur Street, Pasteur Square
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
X: @drpezeshkian
Dear President Pezeshkian,
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues around the world.
We are writing concerning wildlife conservationists Houman Jowkar and Sepideh Kashani, as well as Sima Kashani, Ms. Kashani’s sister. Mr. Jowkar and Ms. Kashani were members of the now-defunct Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF) and are well known for their work studying the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), of which fewer than 30 individuals are believed to remain in the wild. According to available reports, all three were arrested in Tehran on July 1, 2026. Mr. Jowkar and Ms. Kashani were previously arrested in 2018 and were released only two years ago.
The Committee is concerned by these latest arrests, particularly considering the previous detention of several Iranian conservationists, including Niloufar Bayani, Morad Tahbaz, Amirhossein Khaleghi Hamidi, Kavous Seyed-Emami, Abdolreza Kouhpayeh, and Sam Rajabi. We respectfully urge your government to disclose the legal basis for the current detention of Mr. Jowkar and the Kashani sisters, make public their whereabouts, ensure that they have prompt access to legal counsel and their families, and, if there is no lawful basis for their continued detention, release them without delay.
We are especially concerned about Ms. Sima Kashani, who reportedly has multiple sclerosis and requires ongoing medical care. We respectfully request that her medical needs be fully met while she remains in custody and that humanitarian considerations be considered in reviewing her case.
Iran has a distinguished tradition of scientific scholarship and a unique natural heritage. The work of conservation scientists contributes to the preservation of Iran’s biodiversity, strengthens its scientific community, and serves the long-term interests of the country and its people.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We will continue to follow developments in this case with great interest.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists