History

The Qajar dynasty was a formerly aristocratic and later royal Iranian family that ruled Iran from 1789 to 1925. Originating from the Turkoman Qajar tribe, a branch of the Qizilbash confederacy, the Qajars played a decisive role in Iran’s transition from the fragmented post-Safavid era to a unified monarchy under Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, the dynasty’s founder. Though their rule …

Saeed Poursamimi (born March 23, 1943) stands among the most beloved and enduring figures in Iranian cinema and theater. His career, which spans over six decades, reflects both the transformation of Iranian performance arts and the social and cultural evolutions of Iran itself. Known as “the gentleman of Iranian acting,” Poursamimi has consistently combined humor, intellect, and humanity in his …

Nasser Taghvaei: The Auteur of Southern Light Introduction Nasser Taghvaei (July 12, 1945 – October 12, 2025) was an Iranian filmmaker, photographer, and writer whose artistry left an indelible mark on modern Iranian cinema. Often described as an auteur and a pioneer of the Iranian New Wave, Taghvaei’s cinematic voice was poetic, deeply human, and steeped in the cultural and …

On a quiet Saturday morning in October 2025, Hillary Rodham Clinton opened her Instagram account and pressed “post.” Within minutes, millions of followers across the world were gazing at a series of black-and-white and sepia-toned photographs — snapshots of another time, another world. The images were not political statements, not campaign moments, not the well-rehearsed smiles of Washington’s elite. Instead, …

hohreh Aghdashloo born Shohreh Vaziri-Tabar on May 11, 1952) is an Iranian-American actress whose rich, deep voice and commanding presence have made her one of the most recognizable performers of Middle Eastern descent in Hollywood. Her remarkable career, spanning over five decades and multiple continents, reflects both the tumult of her homeland’s history and the global evolution of cinema. Aghdashloo’s …

Hossein Kalani: The Scholar Striker of Iranian Football Hossein Kalani (born 25 February 1944) is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent and multifaceted figures in Iranian football history. Renowned not only for his remarkable goal-scoring ability but also for his intellectual pursuits, Kalani’s life represents the rare synthesis of sports, education, and culture. From his early days in …

Half a century ago, on September 15, 1975, a new chapter began in Iran’s medical and social history with the opening of the Tehran Emergency Information Center, which operated through two telephone lines—669991 and 669921. What started as a modest initiative to coordinate rescue operations in the capital city has, over five decades, grown into a nationwide network known today …

Fereydoun Moshiri (September 20, 1926 – November 2, 1990) occupies a distinctive place in the history of Persian poetry. His works bridge the gap between classical tradition and the modernist currents of twentieth-century Iran. Known for his lyrical expression, his blending of romantic sensibilities with social consciousness, and his attention to both individual emotion and collective experience, Moshiri represents a …

Parviz Khosravani was born on October 22, 1922, in Mahallat County, a city in Markazi Province of Iran. His family background provided him with both privilege and responsibility. His father, Mirza Hashem Mahallat, was a wealthy and influential man in the region, whose wealth gave his sons the opportunity to pursue careers in politics, the military, and administration. Parviz was …

Houshmand Aghili (August 2, 1937 – September 14, 1404) was a prominent Iranian singer and composer whose career spanned nearly seven decades. Known for his dedication to traditional and classical Persian music, he became one of the voices that bridged the pre-revolutionary and diasporic Iranian cultural experiences. Aghili’s music combined the elegance of Iran’s radif-based traditions with lyrical melodies that …