Voice of America Reinstates Persian Staff Amid Iran-Israel Conflict

Amid escalating military conflict between Iran and Israel, the U.S. Agency for Global Media has abruptly recalled over 50 Voice of America (VOA) Persian-language staff who had been placed on paid administrative leave following cuts ordered by President Trump earlier in the year. This decision reverses the Trump administration's prior efforts to reduce or eliminate VOA's international broadcasting, particularly targeting Persian language services aimed at countering Iranian regime censorship. The recall underscores the strategic importance of VOA's independent news programming to Iran and the Persian-speaking diaspora during times of crisis, despite previous accusations of leftist bias by the administration. Employees and supporters have criticized the initial shutdown and praised the court-ordered reinstatement of staff, highlighting the network's role in providing credible news and countering disinformation. The sudden rehiring reflects a recognition by the government of VOA's utility in communicating U.S. perspectives directly to Iranian audiences amid the ongoing conflict, with plans to resume satellite broadcasting and expand coverage. However, internal VOA staff have lamented the costly and erratic cycle of layoffs and rehiring, calling attention to the wastefulness of the prior shutdowns.