[4] Ahmadinejad's crackdown on Iranian civil society brought the association into "open conflict" with his government.

On June 24, 2008, labor minister Mohammad Jahromi wrote a letter to the association, threatening to dissolve the "illegal" group.

In response, Reporters Without Borders said, "This is yet another attempt by the Iranian authorities to silence those who defend free expression in Iran.

"[2] In aftermath of the disputed June 2009 Iranian presidential election, when protesters took to the streets to voice their discontent with the results, a number of journalists affiliated with the association were arrested.

"[7] In conflict with the president's pledge, however, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholam-Hossein Ejhei said in October 2013 that the association would remain closed.