Tehran

Iran Israel Reporting

Quiet Solidarity: The Underground Networks that Defied Israel’s War on Iran

August 14, 2025 by Alex Shams

Originally published on The Public Source on August 14, 2025. On the morning of Thursday, June 12, Tehran moved to its familiar rhythms. Students crammed for finals in packed cafés and

Iran Israel Reporting

Israel’s Bombs Have Stopped Falling, But Iranians Still Face an Uncertain Future

July 2, 2025 by Alex Shams

Originally published on Truthout on July 2, 2025. Translated to Spanish for Nexos. Iranians are waking up from what feels like a nightmare. For 12 days, Israel bombarded their country

Iran Opinion

What Role Does Religion Play in Iran’s Protests?

September 28, 2022 by Alex Shams

Alex Shams was interviewed by AJ+ about the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests in Iran that began in September 2022. He discussed how protestors were navigating the complex relationship between religion

Featured Iran Reporting

Feats of Strength and Street Politics in Tehran – مواقع القوة وسياسات الشارع في طهران

July 26, 2022 by Alex Shams

Originally published in Journal Safar in September 2021 as part of Issue VI: Power. On the nights leading up to Ashura, the streets of Tehran turn a thousand shades of

Iran Reporting

Quarantine Kitchen: Iranians share recipes, flavors, and joy despite the threat of coronavirus

March 15, 2020 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Ajam Media Collective on March 15, 2020. Tehran has been under a state of semi-quarantine for 20 days. For weeks, millions have avoided leaving the house for

Iran Opinion

Tehran is not just “LA with minarets”: Against cliches of Third World cities on the brink of disaster

January 14, 2019 by Alex Shams

Originally published on Ajam Media Collective on January 14, 2019. The Guardian covered Tehran in its recent article series, “The next 15 mega cities,” an examination of metropolises across Asia

Iran Reporting

Samuel Jordan, the American missionary whose name graces Tehran’s most glamorous street

March 9, 2018 by Alex Shams

Originally published by “Ajam Media Collective” For residents of Tehran, the name “Jordan” conjures up images of luxury apartment towers, expensive brand names, and twenty-somethings in fancy cars who spend

Iran Opinion

Tehran from 435 Meters: The View from Geisha

December 27, 2011 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Ajam Media Collective on December 27, 2011. Tehran is a city defined by a distinctly “Islamic modernity.” Although some have said it is not an “interesting” city

Quiet Solidarity: The Underground Networks that Defied Israel’s War on Iran

Israel’s Bombs Have Stopped Falling, But Iranians Still Face an Uncertain Future

What Role Does Religion Play in Iran’s Protests?

Feats of Strength and Street Politics in Tehran – مواقع القوة وسياسات الشارع في طهران

Quarantine Kitchen: Iranians share recipes, flavors, and joy despite the threat of coronavirus

Tehran is not just “LA with minarets”: Against cliches of Third World cities on the brink of disaster

Samuel Jordan, the American missionary whose name graces Tehran’s most glamorous street

Tehran from 435 Meters: The View from Geisha

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