“Here, Freedom”—fiction from Danial Haghighi
A small town couple have a brutally honest conversation about marriage in light of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests.
Iran
Zahhāk: An Etiology of Evil
Omid Arabian recounts the legend of the serpent king from Ferdowsi's epic "Shāhnameh," exploring human psychology and the roots of tyranny.
“The Long Walk of the Martyr”—fiction from Salar Abdoh
In Salar Abdoh’s new short story, Iranian militias return from war to a life and country to which they have difficulty adjusting.
Iran on the Move—Photos by Peyman Hooshmandzadeh
Emerging from Covid, a prominent Iranian photographer documents the working-class as the country reels under sanctions.
Hard Work: Kurdish Kolbars or Porters Risk Everything
Clive Bell reviews the latest graphic novel from Mana Neyestani on the hardships of being a Kurdish porter.
The Odyssey That Forged a Stronger Athenian
An Athens native returns to Greece after a 20-year sojourn across the Mediterranean and Middle East, covering turmoil and displacement.
White Torture Prison Interviews Condemn Solitary Confinement
Kamin Mohammadi (no relation) has read Narges Mohammadi's new book, even as the author sits in Evin Prison, unable to be with her family.
Letters From Tehran: Braving Tehran’s Roundabout, Maidan Valiasr
A journalist in Tehran walks defiantly without covering her hair through one of the city's busiest thoroughfares.
Editor’s Picks: Magical Realism in Iranian Lit
Rana Asfour has selected four contemporary novels of Iranian literature for this special issue on Iran in TMR Weekly.
Don’t Be a Stooge for the Regime—Iranians Reject State-Controlled Media!
Malu Halasa reports on the myriad ways Iranians circumvent Iran's heavy-handed media to get their news.
Siri Hustvedt & Ahdaf Souief Write Letters to Imprisoned Writer Narges Mohammadi
Author and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi must be released by Iranian authorities immediately.
Revolutionary Hit Parade: 12+1 Protest Songs from Iran
Malu Halasa and Beehype on the latest hit parade of protest songs for Iranian freedom.
Imprisoned Director Jafar Panahi’s No Bears
Critic Clive Bell reviews the latest feature from one of several Iranian filmmakers who languish in prison.
Fragile Freedom, Fragile States in the Muslim World
I. Rida Mahmood observes that while people in Iran and Arab countries are roiling for more equality and freedom, they are not taking any cues from the west.
Letter From Tehran: On the Pain of Others, Once Again
For nearly 40 years, writes Sara Mokhavat, her generation in Iran has gone from one crisis to another.