Iran: Unveiled

n this episode of Iran Unveiled, Negar speaks with Roya Piraei [a 28-year-old Iranian activist and art student based in London] about the legacy of the Woman Life Freedom movement, personal grief, and the ongoing struggle for transitional justice. Roya reflects on the loss of her mother, Minoo, during protests in Kermanshah in 2021.

Roya Piraei was chosen as one of BBC's 100 women in 2022.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-75af095e-21f7-41b0-9c5f-a96a5e0615c1

Exhibition donation link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=P7AANUZ3THQ2G

Victims' Families For Transitional Justice

https://www.instagram.com/dadkhahan_iran/

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is the UK navigating the political and humanitarian fallout of conflict in the Middle East?

​In this episode of Iran Unveiled, we sit down with Lewis Leach—former Parliamentary Chief of Staff, UK Civil Service Senior Policy Adviser, and public affairs expert—to dissect the UK’s strategy surrounding the Iran war, regional diplomacy, and shifting migration policies.

​From the corridors of Westminster to foreign policy advisory, Lewis shares his insider perspective on how British lawmakers balance geopolitical alliances, national security concerns, and international refugee obligations during escalating crises.

Lewis Leach is an experienced UK public policy, government affairs, and strategic communications expert. Having served as Chief of Staff in the UK House of Commons and Senior Policy Adviser within the UK Civil Service, Lewis brings deep insight into UK legislative processes, parliamentary strategy, and national policy development.

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with London based singer and songwriter from Afghanistan, Elaha Soroor, whose powerful voice refused to be quieted by state-enforced music bans or geographic displacement. Born in Iran to refugee parents, Elaha candidly opens up about the systemic racism she endured growing up, the perilous journey of pursuing art where female singing is criminalized, and what it meant to fight for her creative freedom across borders.

She was selected as one of the BBC's 100 women of the year in 2024.

​Now based in the UK, Elaha reflects on her new album "Our Freedoms Must Be Won", how her childhood, emigration and growing up in conflict shaped the sound and what stories she wanted to tell.

"Our Freedoms must be Won": https://open.spotify.com/album/2maJaRwNeXwY9wO9wrgh2Q?si=xOeaiy_dTH-rJD4Wbhd1tA

Album Launch Concert in London: https://dice.fm/event/3oxv8p--kefaya-elaha-soroor-20th-sep-the-lower-third-london-tickets?dice_id=Fd7a73144160

Elaha Soroor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ElahaSoroor_music/

BBC 100 Women, 2024: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-4f79d09b-655a-42f8-82b4-9b2ecebab611

Cover Photo from the song "Masooma".

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this moving episode, we speak with Samira about her journey to continue her education in secret. Explore how courage and digital connections are empowering young women in Afghanistan to rise above bans and build a brighter future.

When Kabul fell on August 15, 2021, the fear of losing a generation to darkness was immediate. Drawing from the painful lessons of history, we knew we couldn't afford to sit back and wait for the official decrees to lock the school gates. Out of a deep sense of responsibility, we moved fast to create a safe space for learning—so that when the doors were officially shut a month later, our digital classrooms were already up, running, and giving students a lifeline.Founded by Afghanistani education activist Angela Ghayour, this urgent response began with the creation of the Herat Online School. What started as an emergency effort has since grown into Afghanistan Education Action (AEA), a UK-registered charity and one of the largest independent online education networks supporting Afghanistani girls and boys today.

www.afedu.org

https://www.instagram.com/herat_school/

https://www.afghanistaneducationaction.org/donate.html

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the ideology behind the Islamic Republic of Iran — and why does it seem so difficult to defeat, negotiate with, or force into submission?

In this episode of Iran Unveiled, I am joined by social justice activist Arman to explore the history and political development of Shiism, Khomeinism and the Islamic Republic, and how religious ideas have shaped Iran's domestic politics and its regional ambitions.

We begin with the origins of Sunni–Shia Islam and examine how these ideas translated into the Islamic Republic after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

We also discuss the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States and Israel, and ask a difficult question: what would it actually take for the Islamic Republic and the IRGC to accept defeat? Is military defeat enough, or would meaningful change require the disarmament of the IRGC and a much longer process of cultural and political transformation?

Finally, we discuss the future of Iranian civil society, the fragmentation of the opposition, secularism, the role of religion in a future Iranian state, and how Iran's diverse society might build a shared political identity after the Islamic Republic.

This episode contains a wide-ranging discussion of religion and politics, including the guests' personal interpretations and opinions.

Link to Arman's projects and collaborations:

https://jomhoor.org/en/index.html

https://atlasiran.org/

Episode Cover Art: Nasser Teymourpour

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Iran Unveiled, we look beyond the international headlines to examine the reality facing ordinary Iranians. We discuss the US–Iran Memorandum of Understanding, why negotiations broke down, the collapse of the ceasefire, and what the ongoing conflict means for Iran's future.

We also examine the Islamic Republic's internal crackdown, including public executions, arrests, persecution, economic hardship, internet restrictions and the growing pressure on Iranian society. Drawing on polling from inside Iran, we ask what Iranians themselves think about the agreement and the war, and why people across very different political positions have criticised the deal.

The conversation also explores Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, regional proxy networks in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, the possibility of Iran facing a trajectory similar to Syria or Lebanon, and whether the Islamic Republic is becoming a de facto failed state.

Finally, we discuss the UK's changing approach to the IRGC, the security implications for Britain, and the potential impact on Iranian asylum seekers and refugees fleeing the Islamic Republic.

Above all, this episode asks a crucial question: while the world focuses on missiles, negotiations and geopolitics, who is paying the price inside Iran?

#Iran #IranWar #IranNews #IranProtests #IslamicRepublic #IRGC #USIran #IranExecutions #IranHumanRights #StraitOfHormuz #MiddleEast #IranianPolitics

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I’ve stopped pulling up my scarf to cover my hair when I pass by the guards..."

In September 2022, the tragic death of Mahsa-Jina Amini ignited a historic wave of protests across Iran, giving rise to a powerful, unified cry that echoed around the globe: Woman, Life, Freedom (Jin, Jiyan, Azadi). While international news networks analyzed the geopolitical shifts, the intimate, everyday realities of the people fighting on the front lines remained largely out of reach.

In this special episode of Iran Unveiled, we step away from standard commentary to read the profound introduction to the book In the Streets of Tehran: Woman, Life, Freedom.

Written under the pseudonym Nila by an anonymous female writer and activist living in the heart of Tehran during the height of the 2022 uprising, this text offers a raw, deeply personal, and politically impassioned eyewitness account of survival, fear, and unparalleled courage. Translated into English by Poupeh Missaghi, Nila’s words capture the psychological landscape of a city under pressure and celebrate the long, resilient tradition of female resistance in modern Iranian history.

Tune in to hear the voice of a woman who risked everything to document the truths that the regime tried so hard to censor.

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many languages are spoken in Iran, and what role do they play in shaping the country's identity?

In this episode of Iran Unveiled, we explore Iran's rich linguistic diversity and the many languages spoken across the country, including Persian (Farsi), Azerbaijani Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic, Balochi, Turkmen, Gilaki, Mazandarani and more.

We discuss the constitutional and legal framework surrounding mother tongue education in Iran, how language policies have developed over time, and the ongoing conversations about teaching and preserving minority languages. We also examine the cultural importance of language, its connection to identity, heritage and community, and how Iran's linguistic diversity reflects the country's long and complex history.

Whether you're interested in Iran, linguistics, education, or cultural diversity, this episode offers a deeper understanding of one of the country's most fascinating—and often overlooked—aspects.

Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1XMRQR2H8HdgLMBzEGFAh8?si=c61987110b084546

Articles [these are only some of the hundred out there.]:

https://shorturl.at/Q37gq

https://shorturl.at/JZEOd

https://shorturl.at/CoeiL

https://shorturl.at/hfL0g

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can art and storytelling change the way we see a country?

In this episode of Iran Unveiled, we explore the work of Marjane Satrapi and discuss how her graphic memoir Persepolis has shaped international perceptions of Iran. We examine the role of literature, film and visual art in representing Iranian identity, culture and history, and consider how creative voices can challenge stereotypes and offer a more personal understanding of the country.

We also highlight a selection of contemporary Iranian artists whose work reflects the diversity and richness of Iranian culture today.

Whether you're interested in Iranian culture, graphic novels, film, or contemporary art, this episode explores how storytelling can provide perspectives that often go beyond news headlines.

Featured

Marjane Satrapi:

https://www.instagram.com/marjanesatrapi/?hl=en

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/991197.The_Complete_Persepolis

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808417/

Check out these Iranian artists and look for more in your area!

https://www.instagram.com/heja.ra/

https://www.instagram.com/shahrzadchang/

https://www.instagram.com/alii___zamanii/

https://www.instagram.com/shokoufehfallah/

https://www.instagram.com/dannyasadi/

https://www.instagram.com/shahrzadghaffariart/

https://www.instagram.com/hodaafshar/

https://www.instagram.com/hap_thebard/

https://www.instagram.com/newshatavakolian/

https://www.instagram.com/nasser.teymourpour/

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can sport ever be separated from politics?

In this episode of Iran Unveiled, we explore the controversy surrounding Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the deep divisions it exposed among Iranians both inside and outside the country.

From debates surrounding Team Melli's role on the international stage to the legacy of anti-government protests and the symbolism of national flags, we examine how football became intertwined with questions of politics, identity, and representation.

We discuss the reactions of players, fans, activists, and the wider Iranian public, while exploring why the World Cup became a focal point for broader debates about Iran's future and its place in the world.

Whether you're interested in Iranian politics, international football, Team Melli, or the relationship between sport and society, this episode provides the context behind one of the most controversial World Cup stories of 2026.

Sources and further reading

BBC – Sahar Khodayari

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-49646879

BBC – Mehran Sammak

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-63805284

The National – Memory of Iranian footballers killed in anti-government protests casts shadow over World Cup

https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/06/21/memory-of-iranian-footballers-killed-in-anti-government-protests-casts-shadow-over-world-cup/

Politico – FIFA and the Lion & Sun flag controversy

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/06/21/world-cup-2026/battle-iran-lion-sun-flag-fifa-ban-00969215

Video discussing FIFA's Lion & Sun flag ban

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZout-hNBhk/

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our listeners! Reach out, share your thoughts, or ask questions here:

• Instagram: @IranUnveiledpod
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: iumedia.co.uk

Important DisclaimerPlease Note: Iran Unveiled is an entirely independent, passion-driven project. We are not funded, backed, or supported by any government body, political entity, or external organization. The views and stories shared on this show are strictly based on our personal experiences and independent research.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.