Iran Debates

A biography of Muhammad Musaddiq, who was prime minister of Iran between 1951 and 1953 until he was deposed in a CIA-backed coup d'etat and who has long been regarded as one of the great anti-colonial campaigners of the post-war era.

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In recent years, Iran has gained attention primarily for negative reasons - its authoritarian religious government disputed its nuclear programme and controversial role in the Middle East - but there is much more to the story of this ancient land than can be gleaned from the news. This authoritative and comprehensive history of Iran, written by Homa Katouzian, an acclaimed expert, covers the entire history of the area from the foundation of the ancient Persian empire to today's Iranian state. Writing from an Iranian rather than a European perspective, Katouzian integrates Iran's significant cultural and literary history with its political and social history. Some of the greatest poets of human history wrote in Persian - among them Rumi, Omar Khayyam, and Saadi - and Katouzian discusses and occasionally quotes their work. In his thoughtful analysis of Iranian society, Katouzian argues that the absolute and arbitrary power traditionally enjoyed by Persian/Iranian rulers has resulted in an unstable society where fear and short-term thinking dominate. A magisterial history, this book also serves as an excellent background to the role of Iran in the contemporary world.

Iran was the first country in the Middle East to experience (in 1905-6) a popular revolution that demanded the rule of law and parliamentary government. However, the democratic constitution established by the revolution plunged the country into a period of turmoil and, despite subsequent popular democratic movements, most notably in the early 1950s and during the Iranian revolution of 1978-9, the country has lived under arbitrary rule for most of the century. Katouzian offers a theoretical framework for studying Iranian history, state and society, which is then applied to social and political developments from the Constitutional Revolution to the fall of the Pahlavi state. This analysis affords essential insights into the present situation in Iran and the alternative prospects for its future, especially relevant since the recent accession of President Khatami.

Sadeq Hedayat is the most famous and enigmatic Iranian writer of the 20th century. This book is the first comprehensive study of Hedayat's life and works set against literary and political developments in a rapidly changing Iran over the first half of the 20th century. Katouzian discusses Hedayat's life and times and the literary and political circles with which he was associated. But he also emphasises the uniqueness and universality of his ideas that have both influenced and set Hedayat apart from other Iranian writers of the period and have given him a mystique that has been instrumental in his posthumous success with acclaimed works such as The Blind Owl.

'In the breath that I die, for you, I'll be longing/ Wishing to turn into the dust of your belonging' - Sa'di, Expressions of Love. With poetry which speaks across the ages, Sa'di (1210-1281) is a vital classical poet and a towering figure of the medieval Persian canon. Comparable in skill and stature to other Persian poets such as Ferdowsi, Hafez, Rumi and Omar Khayyam, Sa'di's verses--best known through his 'Bustan' and 'Golestan' address universal themes of passion, love and the human condition in works which are both psychologically perceptive and beautifully crafted. His mystical writings, contemporaneous with Rumi, reveal a degree of depth, wisdom and insight which have placed Sa'di in the pantheon of world literature. In this essential new translation of Sa'di's work, a leading expert on Iranian studies, Homa Katouzian, seeks to bring the poet's lyrics to a new readership. The book provides the Persian text and Katouzian's English translation side-by-side, creating an indispensable tool for students and enthusiasts of Iranian history, literature and culture.

Following a two-pronged approach, this volume studies both those who the Constitutional Revolution influenced in their works and those who addressed the Revolution with their work, influencing it directly. Through analysing their works, this volume explores influential poets and writers from the period, including Iraj, Vaziri, Afrāshteh, Yazdi, Bahār and ‘Eshqi. It covers female poets who are often overlooked, as well as the significant satirical poets whose work educated and entertained the readers and criticized socio-political events. Analysing the mainstream and marginal poets, this volume argues that the margins initiated Persian poetry's evolution. As Persian poetry and its multifunctional legacy became the standard-bearer of the Constitutional movement, this volume is an essential contribution to understanding Iran.

Humour in Iran is a close and comprehensive study of satire and humour – in verse and prose – over the eleven hundred years since the emergence of classical Persian literature. Combining Persian original texts with their English translations, it covers a range of texts and authors, from the lampoon in Ferdowsi's great epic of the ancient kings in the tenth century through such master satirists as Obeyd Zakani, Sa'di, Rumi, Khayyam, Hafiz, Anvari, Sana'i, Khaqani, Suzani, Qa'ani, Yaghma, and so on. The book also includes twentieth-century authors such as Iraj, Dehkhoda, Bahar, Eshqi, Aref, Hedayat, Jamalzadeh, Al-e Ahmad and more. Buy: https://amzn.to/4hxDPwr

This unique book is the first publication on the art of teaching Persian literature in English, consisting of 18 chapters by prominent early-career, mid-career and established scholars who generously share their experiences and methodologies in teaching classical and modern Persian literature across various academic traditions worldwide. The volume is divided into three parts: the background to teaching Persian literature, teaching Persian literature: pedagogy, translation and canon, and thematic and topical approaches to the Persian literature class. It includes such topics as the history of teaching Persian literature, the traditional teaching of Persian literature, the political and ideological intentions revealed in the formation of the Persian literature curriculum, the necessity to include marginalized modern Persian literature, such as women's or diaspora literature, and more applied approaches to curriculum development and teaching.

Bahram Beyzaie is one of Iran's leading playwrights and auteur filmmakers. This book examines several of Beyzaie's films and plays and their preoccupation with the modalities and transformations of Iranian contemporary, historical and mythical identity from different perspectives. The chapters analyse Beyzaie's influential plays, such as Arash and So Dies Pahlevan Akbar, and his filmic magnum opuses, such as The Crow, Bashu, the Little Stranger and Killing Mad Dogs, from a range of critical perspectives, including ecofeminist, sociopolitical, new-historicist, archetypal and psychoanalytical readings. They also explore Beyzaie's dialogue with filmic genres such as noir, different Iranian languages such as Gilaki, Iranian epics and ritual practices such as ta'ziyeh plays and javanmardi chivalry cults. Together, the chapters show how Beyzaie's works negotiate narratives of belonging and undermine the dominant exclusionist discourses in Iran. They use the resources of Iranian folk and performance traditions to comment on the position of women, children, intellectuals, and minorities in society.

This study provides a comprehensive examination of the evolution of Islam as a ruling framework in postrevolutionary Iran up to the present day. Beginning with the position and structure of Iran's clerical establishment under the Islamic Republic, Kamrava delves into the jurisprudential debates that have shaped the country's political institutions and state policies. Kamrava draws on extensive fieldwork to examine various religious narratives that inform the basis of contemporary Iranian politics, also revealing the political salience of standard practices and beliefs, such as religious guardianship and guidance, Islam as a source of social protection, the relationship between Islam and democracy, the sources of divine and popular legitimacy, and the theoretical justifications for religious authoritarianism. Providing access to many Persian-language sources for the first time, Kamrava shows how religious intellectual production in Iran has impacted the ongoing transformation of Iranian Shi'ism and ultimately underwritten the fate of the Islamic Republic.

This book maps an emerging cycle of films made by Iranian diasporic women filmmakers and produced outside of Iran, focusing on five significant examples: Shirin Neshat’s Women Without Men (2009), Sepideh Farsi’s Red Rose (2014), Maryam Keshavarz’s Circumstance (2011), Ana Lily Amirpour’s A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) and Desiree Akhavan’s Appropriate Behaviour (2014). These films speak to the emergence of feminist concerns surrounding gender relations, female subjectivity and sexuality in diasporic filmmaking. The book intends to show how the body of recent Iranian diasporic women’s films demonstrates a substantial shift within the existing exilic and diasporic paradigm, requiring analysis of intersectional relations between ethnicity, culture, nationality, gender and sexuality. Attending closely to the vibrant feminist film culture generated by Iranian women in the diaspora, this book aims to interrogate the diversity of women’s filmmaking practices and their role in shaping new representations of female subjectivity and the diasporic condition.

Iran's prison system is a foundational institution of Iranian political modernity. The Incarcerated Modern traces Iran's transformation from a decentralized empire with few imprisoned persons at the turn of the twentieth century into a modern nation-state with over a quarter million prisoners today. In policing the line between "bad criminal" and "good citizen," the carceral system has shaped and reshaped Iranian understandings of citizenship, freedom, and political belonging.

This work unearths details and provides updated insights into an enduring puzzle of modern Iranian political history. It concludes that the Left's demise came from a combination of Iran's geopolitical setting and internal factors such as splits and factionalism.

"From Oxus to Euphrates: The World of Late Antique Iran" by Touraj Daryaee and Khodadad Rezakhani. The book aims to introduce the world of Late Antique Iran, focusing on the Sasanian Empire, and to challenge the Eurocentric approach to studying this period. The authors argue that the Sasanians were a significant force in the late antique world, shaping the region's political, economic, cultural and religious landscape. The excerpts offer a glimpse into the Sasanian history, ideology, religion, economy, literature, and language and highlight the importance of including the Sasanians in the broader narrative of Late Antiquity. They also critique the portrayal of the Sasanians in Orientalist and Marxist historiography and propose a more inclusive and nuanced approach to studying this period. Buy: https://amzn.to/3XWQ6nd

This book provides an overview of the tumultuous relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran, exploring the rivalry's impact on the Arab and Muslim world. It traces the origins of the conflict back to the Iranian Revolution of 1979, revealing how both countries have sought to expand their influence through cultural and religious domination. The text analyses the rivalry's role in the rise of sectarianism, terrorism, and violence, culminating in the emergence of the Islamic State (ISIS). It also examines the impact of this conflict on the internal politics of countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Pakistan, where both Saudi and Iranian actors have sought to advance their interests through proxy wars and sectarian tensions.

The book examines the history of modern-day Iran, beginning with the rule of Reza Shah, focusing mainly on the 1979 revolution, the subsequent Islamic Republic, and its relationship with the West. They explore the country’s internal political struggles, role in the Middle East, relationship with its neighbours, and complex history with the United States. The sources highlight how Iranian culture and politics have been shaped by foreign interference and how the Iranian government continues to grapple with the legacy of these interactions. They also explore the issues of human rights in Iran, precisely the challenges faced by women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Prisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Jail. The memoir recounts Rezaian's experience of being imprisoned by Iranian authorities for 544 days, which he describes as a period of interrogation, abuse, manipulation and shameless lying. Throughout his ordeal, Rezaian struggles to maintain his sanity and dignity, constantly working to ensure his release while remaining steadfast in his commitment to journalism. The memoir also examines the broader context of US-Iran relations, the history of hostage-taking in Iran, and how Rezaian's experience reflects broader political and social realities.

"Iran Without Borders" by Hamid Dabashi is a comprehensive study that examines the multifaceted identity of Iran through the lens of its transnational history and cultural interactions. Dabashi argues that Iran’s postcolonial borders are artificial constructs that obscure its rich and complex history of cosmopolitanism, spanning centuries of imperial and colonial exchanges with the broader world. He challenges the notion of a fixed, monolithic Iranian identity by exploring the influence of Indian, Arab, and European cultures on Iranian thought, literature, and artistic expression. Throughout the book, Dabashi examines the interconnectedness of Iranian identity with its surrounding regions, highlighting the influence of labour migration, the impact of the oil industry, and the role of the transnational public sphere in shaping Iran’s cultural and political landscape. By tracing the origins of Iranian cosmopolitanism, Dabashi seeks to liberate Iran from its artificial confines and celebrate its national identity's dynamic, multifaceted nature.

Armies of the Iran–Iraq War 1980–88 is an in-depth account of the military forces involved in the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88). It details the structure, organisation, recruitment, training and equipment of the Iranian and Iraqi armies and their associated paramilitary forces. The text includes broad overviews of the armies and a more granular look at different military branches, including infantry, armoured, mechanized, special forces, and air forces. The text provides details of weaponry and equipment but also examines the political and ideological pressures that impacted the military effectiveness of both sides, ultimately contributing to a drawn-out and costly conflict.

An Eye for Iran: The Photographs of Kazem Hakimi is a collection of black-and-white photographs by the eponymous artist, accompanied by an introduction by James Attlee. The book explores Iranian life through Hakimi's lens, focusing on everyday scenes and moments often captured in public spaces such as parks, squares, and markets. While seemingly unassuming, Hakimi's work subtly portrays Iranian culture's nuances, challenging Western perceptions and inviting viewers to consider the complexity of human experiences that transcend political boundaries.

The book is about the experiences of Iranian-American artist Mahmood Karimi Hakak in Iran during the 1990s. They discuss the social and political climate of Iran during that time, focusing on the restrictions placed on individuals, especially women, under a religiously motivated government. The sources further examine Hakak's journey in Iran as he faced challenges and censorship while trying to practice his art and introduce new ideas to a generation of students and fellow artists. Finally, they explore his encounters with individuals who reflect the political and social divide within Iranian society and his feelings about his native country.

The book is an in-depth account of the history and activities of the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK), a group dedicated to overthrowing the Islamic Republic of Iran. Through interviews with former and current members, the text documents the group's origins in the Iranian nationalist movement, its subsequent fight against the Shah, its persecution under the Islamic Republic, and its ongoing campaign for a free Iran. The text reveals how the Iranian regime has relentlessly targeted the MEK, from assassinations and imprisonment to massacres and campaigns of disinformation, while highlighting the group's resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to its ideals.

The provided text is an excerpt from the book “The Incarcerated Modern: Prisons and Public Life in Iran”, by Golnar Nikpour. The book examines the historical evolution of prisons in Iran from the Qajar era through the Islamic Republic. It explores how prisons have shaped Iran's social and political landscape, highlighting their connections to global trends of carcerality, nationalism, and state-building. The text uses historical analysis and archival research to explore a range of carceral practices, including torture, political imprisonment, and the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on prisoners. It investigates the role of international activism, human rights discourse, and the relationship between prison reform and political upheaval in Iran. Buy: https://amzn.to/4e966Ia

"Counter-Memories in Iranian Cinema" explores the relationship between Iranian cinema and collective memory. The authors examine how Iranian filmmakers have used cinematic techniques to address social, political, and cultural issues, often challenging official narratives and reclaiming marginalized voices. The essays cover various topics, including the impact of the Iranian Revolution, the legacy of state violence, and how Iranian cinema engages with its history and the broader history of cinema. Buy: https://amzn.to/3zpTvBl

Carmen Pérez González's book, Local Portraiture: Through the Lens of the 19th Century Iranian Photographers, examines the distinct photographic styles of Iranian photographers in contrast to those of foreign photographers who documented Iran during the 19th century. González argues that the Iranian photographers' aesthetic choices reflected their unique cultural and artistic sensibilities, highlighting the importance of acknowledging diverse photographic histories beyond Western-centric narratives. The book provides a detailed visual analysis of 19th-century Iranian portrait photography, comparing it to Persian painting and Western portrait photography to demonstrate how cultural practices influenced visual representations. González explores elements such as the direction of writing, the use of text in photographs, the posing of subjects, and the understanding of space, revealing a unique aesthetic approach that contrasted with the dominant Victorian photographic style. Buy: https://amzn.to/3XAEpkK

Staci Gem Scheiwiller's book Liminalities of Gender and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century Iranian Photography: Desirous Bodies examines how photographs in Qajar, Iran, negotiated and coded gender, sexuality, and desire. The book argues that photography became a strategy for empowerment and domination, serving as a tool for expression and being seen and exploring how it operated within pre-existing social and political relations. The text focuses on the visual culture of Qajar Iran, including the use of images in homes and the production of erotic photography, and how these images reflected and shaped cultural beliefs and social norms. The book also analyses photographs of women in various social contexts, such as the harem, the public sphere, and the Constitutional Revolution. It highlights their ambivalent role as both objects of desire and agents of change. Buy: https://amzn.to/3MNUb6x

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, commemorating the University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.

Emily Blout authors this book about media and power in modern Iran. Blout examines the history of mass communication in Iran, focusing on how successive regimes have grappled with the challenges of emerging technologies, such as radio, television, satellite TV and the internet. Blout argues that these technologies have challenged the state's monopoly on communication and its ability to control the flow of information, leading to a constant struggle to balance control and ideological dominance with public opinion and international pressure. She ultimately argues that the "soft war" narrative, which paints the West as a constant cultural threat, is a crucial strategy for the Iranian regime to maintain its power. Buy: https://amzn.to/47sqH7W

"Mass Protests in Iran - From Resistance to Overthrow" examines the various periods of mass protest in Iran since the 1979 revolution. The author, Masoud Kazemzadeh, analyzes the repressive nature of the Islamic fundamentalist regime, highlighting its totalitarian tendencies, economic mismanagement, and the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in suppressing dissent. Kazemzadeh explores the dynamics of power struggles within the regime's elite factions and the impact of these on the protests, notably those of 2009 and 2017-2018. He focuses on the increasing role of women in the protests and the global support for the movement, particularly the 2022-2023 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. The author concludes by discussing policy ramifications for democratic countries, highlighting the importance of global solidarity and more robust support for the Iranian people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Buy: https://amzn.to/4e5Insz

The book explores the history of Marxist thought and practice in Europe and Iran, focusing on the evolution of Marxist theory from its classical origins to the contemporary era. They examine how Marxist concepts, such as democracy, the state, and class struggle, have been interpreted and applied in different historical contexts. The texts delve into the complexities of revolutionary movements, the relationship between theory and practice, and the influence of various ideological currents on the development of Marxist thought. They also explore the critiques and challenges that Marxism has faced from within its ranks and from external sources, particularly in the context of the Cold War and the rise of new social movements. Buy: https://amzn.to/3XK8LSN

A detailed account of the Carter administration’s involvement in the events leading up to the Iranian Revolution and the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty. The text examines the key players in the crisis, including President Carter, National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, and Ambassador William Sullivan. It focuses on the situation's complexities, highlighting the contrasting approaches of Carter and Brzezinski to foreign policy, the Shah’s attempts to appease the growing discontent in Iran, and the increasing influence of Ayatollah Khomeini and the religious opposition. The sources explore the intricacies of US-Iran relations, the challenges of managing arms exports to Iran, the impact of the human rights policy, and the failure of US intelligence to predict the revolution's success. Buy: https://amzn.to/3Xw13KK

"The Life and Times of the Shah" is a book chronicling the life of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, from his childhood to his exile. The book covers critical historical events such as the 1919 Anglo-Persian Agreement, the 1953 coup against Mohammad Mossadegh, the White Revolution, the Iranian Revolution, and the Shah's subsequent exile. It also explores his personal life, including his relationships with his family, friends, and political allies, and his struggles with illness. The excerpt also delves into the complexities of Iranian politics and society in the 20th century, including the role of religion, nationalism, and the military in shaping the country's destiny. Buy: https://amzn.to/3MKjAOJ

"The Shah and the Ayatollah" analyses the 1979 Iranian Revolution, highlighting the clash between traditionalism and modernisation in Iranian society. The author argues that deep-seated historical and mythological beliefs, particularly the decisive role of the father figure in Iranian culture, contributed to the revolution's outcome. He explores ancient Iranian myths and the Islamic traditions of Shi'ism, arguing that their complex interplay ultimately shaped the political landscape. The text examines the Iranian leader's tendency towards despotism and the persistent struggle between the secular and religious forces, ultimately suggesting that a deeper understanding of Iranian mythology is crucial to comprehending modern Iran's political and social dynamics. Buy: https://amzn.to/3zcyPge

This book provides a comprehensive history of the Iranian oil crisis of 1951 54, examining the complex interplay of international politics, economic interests and internal Iranian power struggles. The authors draw upon newly declassified documents, archival research and interviews with key figures to unravel the events that led to the nationalisation of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and the subsequent CIA-backed coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq. The book also explores the Cold War context and the role of the United States and Britain in shaping the crisis, ultimately arguing that the historical narrative surrounding the situation is more nuanced and complex than previously acknowledged. Buy: https://amzn.to/47qcXdM

The book examines the various interpretations of Shari'a throughout Islamic history, highlighting how it has adapted to modern contexts and continues to evolve in the present day. The text focuses on the role of Shari'a in contemporary society, exploring its application in areas such as family law, governance, and social justice. It also discusses the influence of Western legal traditions on Islamic thought and the ongoing debates about the relationship between religion and law in the modern world. Buy: https://amzn.to/4e1iIRz

This book examines the Iranian Revolution through the lens of Shi’ite Islamic culture, focusing on the role of the madrasa in Iranian society and how it transformed into a hotbed of political dissent under the Pahlavi dynasty. The author examines the Shi'ite worldview through the Karbala Paradigm and investigates the dynamics of education, politics, and religious authority in the lead-up to the revolution. He argues that the Iranian revolution was not solely a political event but a complex cultural and social transformation shaped by the historical evolution of Shi’ite thought and practice. The excerpt also explores the cultural and social transformations after the revolution, emphasizing the ongoing struggle between traditional religious values and modernizing forces within Iranian society. Buy: https://amzn.to/3MKefGT

The book examines Russia and Iran's complex and often fraught relationship from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. It explores Russian political, military and cultural influence in Iran, highlighting pivotal moments like the Russo-Iranian Wars, the Iranian Constitutional Revolution and the Soviet Union's role during World War II. The text also analyzes the activities of individuals, including Russian diplomats, military officers and scholars, who played significant roles in shaping Russian-Iranian relations. Buy: https://amzn.to/4eoNtQh

The book explores the political activism of Shi'i clerical elites in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon during the modern era. It examines how these elites responded to different political opportunity structures and how their interpretations of these structures shaped their political postures. The book also investigates how these elites have navigated a complex historical landscape, including the rise and fall of different regimes, wars, and internal conflicts, in the context of a rapidly changing Middle East. Buy: https://amzn.to/47thn3E

The sources investigate the portrayal of Iran in American media, focusing on the coverage of the Iran nuclear deal. They examine journalistic routines, such as reliance on official sources, the influence of power structures, and the application of framing techniques to shape narratives. The sources also analyse how these media practices contribute to constructing a specific image of Iran and its people in the American cultural imagination. Buy: https://amzn.to/4e2rhLZ

This excerpt from Laetitia Nanquette’s book, Iranian Literature After the Islamic Revolution, provides a detailed analysis of the Iranian literary field. It examines the complex relationship between literary production and the Iranian state, exploring the effects of censorship and state control on the creation and circulation of literature. The book also examines the influence of globalisation on Iranian literature, particularly the dynamics of translation and the emergence of digital spaces. Nanquette then shifts her attention to the Iranian diaspora, exploring its relationship with Iran and other diasporic communities. Ultimately, she examines the position of literature in the broader Persian cultural system, highlighting its evolving relationship to visual media and the increasing prominence of visual arts. Buy: https://amzn.to/4gmTtef

This collection of excerpts explores the lives of ethnic and religious minorities in Iran, focusing on their experiences within the context of the Islamic Republic's constitution and society. The authors examine the complexities of religious pluralism, the challenges of cultural homogenization, and the impact of political entrepreneurship on the dynamics of religious and ethnic groups. The texts highlight the challenges faced by minorities in Iran, including discrimination, marginalization, and social exclusion and how these groups have adapted and responded to their circumstances. Buy: https://amzn.to/3MMfGos

In 1888, there were just four British consulates in the country; by 1921 there were twenty-three. H. Lyman Stebbins investigates the development and consequences of British imperialism in Iran in a time of international rivalry, revolution and world war. While previous narratives of Anglo-Iranian relations have focused on the highest diplomatic circles in Tehran, London, Calcutta and St. Petersburg, this book argues that British consuls and political agents made the vast southern borderlands of Iran the real centre of British power and influence during this period. Based on British consular archives from Bushihr, Shiraz, Sistan and Muhammarah, this book reveals that Britain, India and Iran were linked together by discourses of colonial knowledge and patterns of political, military and economic control. It also contextualizes the emergence of Iranian nationalism as well as the failure and collapse of the Qajar state during the Iranian Constitutional Revolution and the First World War.