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Golnaz Esfandiari

Golnaz Esfandiari is a senior correspondent for RFE/RL focusing on Iran. She has reported from Afghanistan and Haiti and is one of the authors of The Farda Briefing newsletter. Her work has been cited by The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other major publications. Born and raised in Tehran, she is fluent in Persian, French, English, and Czech.

EsfandiariG@rferl.org

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Also by Golnaz Esfandiari

July 13, 2023
'Not Our Enemies': Iran's Crackdown On Protest By Disabled War Veterans Triggers Outrage

Veterans of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War protested in Tehran this week over economic hardship while calling for compensation for Iraq for having started the bloody war. Security forces violently broke up the protest and reportedly fired tear gas in a response that triggered widespread anger.
July 12, 2023
Founder Of Prominent Iranian Charity Fled Into Exile After 'Months Of Torture'

The founder of one of Iran's largest charities recently fled the country after the authorities dissolved his organization. Sharmin Meymandinejad, the head of the Imam Ali Society, was arrested and kept in detention for months, during which he alleges that he was tortured.
June 23, 2023
Senior Iranian Officials Discussed Common Strategy To Counter Alleged Plots By 'Enemies'

Senior Iranian officials, including the intelligence minister and the head of the intelligence organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), have met to discuss a coordinated strategy to counter alleged "plots by the enemies."
June 21, 2023
The Farda Briefing: Cases Of Fatal Alcohol Poisoning Rise In Iran

Also: Iranian art students angered over hijab enforcement
June 14, 2023
The Farda Briefing: Iran, U.S. Renew Engagement To Avoid 'Big Crisis'

Also: Iran aims to bolster ties with Latin America
June 07, 2023
The Farda Briefing: Experts Raise Questions Over Iran's First 'Hypersonic' Missile

Also: Iran pressures students over dress code.
June 01, 2023
Ex-Iranian Prison Official Expresses 'Shame' Over Mass Execution Of Political Prisoners In 1980s

The former head of Tehran's notorious Evin prison has expressed "shame" over the mass execution of political prisoners at the facility in 1988. Hossein Mortazavi Zanjani claimed he was not involved. While some Iranians have praised his comments, others questioned his motives.
May 31, 2023
The Farda Briefing: Journalists Who Broke Mahsa Amini Story Stand Trial Behind Closed Doors

Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here. I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what I've been following during the past week and what I'm watching for in the days ahead.
May 30, 2023
Iranian Romance: Authorities Crack Down After Joyous Wedding Proposal

An Iranian cultural official has been sacked after a viral video showed a man proposing to a woman without a headscarf at the tomb of a celebrated Persian poet. The video shows violations of Iran's harsh morality laws, such as women with their heads uncovered and the man publicly embracing the woman
May 26, 2023
Iran's Hard-Liners Blast Tougher Proposed Hijab Legislation -- As Too Lenient

The Iranian government has submitted a draft bill to parliament that calls for tougher measures against women who do not observe the Islamic dress code in public. But the proposed legislation has angered hard-liners who say the bill does not go far enough.
May 24, 2023
The Farda Briefing: Appointment For Powerful Policy-Shaping Post Is 'Sign Of Growing Influence' Of The IRGC

Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here. I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what I've been following during the past week and what I'm watching for in the days ahead.
May 19, 2023
'Cycle Of Violence': Prominent Iranian Photojournalist Protests Death Penalty

Photojournalist Yalda Moayeri has protested the sharp rise in executions in Iran, where over 200 people have been hanged so far this year.
May 17, 2023
The Farda Briefing: Iran Intensifies Pressure On Independent Lawyers

Also: Iran-Azerbaijan tensions
May 13, 2023
'They Took Everything From Me': Iranian Mother Seeks Justice For Son Killed In State Crackdown

Nearly eight months ago, 21-year-old Erfan Rezai was killed during Iran's brutal crackdown on antiestablishment protests. Despite threats and pressure, his mother has waged a social-media campaign to demand justice. Farzaneh Barzekar says she holds little hope that real justice will be served.
May 10, 2023
The Farda Briefing: Poor Iranians Sell Their Organs Amid Deepening Economic Crisis

An Iranian newspaper has reported that an increasing number of poverty-stricken Iranians are selling their organs to make ends meet.
May 03, 2023
The Farda Briefing: Iran Goes After Big Businesses For Alleged Hijab Violations

Iranian authorities have turned their attention to big businesses, including a major shopping mall, as they intensify their efforts to enforce the hijab.
May 02, 2023
Art Against The Regime: An Iranian Woman's 25-Year Struggle

Iranian artist Parastou Forouhar visits her homeland every year to mark the day that her parents were killed in 1998. She tells RFE/RL how her most recent trip to Iran revealed a society going through profound change that the regime is increasingly unable to control.
April 28, 2023
Iran Arrests Activists After 'Clubhouse' Meeting Calls For New Political System

Iranian authorities have arrested at least three political activists who spoke at a Clubhouse event during which rights advocates, political prisoners, and academics called for a transition to a new, democratic political system.
April 26, 2023
The Farda Briefing: Iranian Activists Angered By Khamenei's Rejection Of Referendum

Also: Is Iran’s exiled opposition crumbling?
April 22, 2023
Illegal Abortions In Iran Rising 'Significantly' In Wake Of Restrictions

There are fears over what appears to be a sharp rise in illegal abortions in Iran. A health official recently warned about the "disastrous" number of illegal abortions after Iranian authorities restricted medical abortions as part of attempts to boost the declining birthrate.

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