Roqe Ep. 432 - IRAN RISES - The War of Perception - Bozorgmehr Sharafedin

Jian opens this episode of Roqe with an essay titled “The War Is Changing Us,” reflecting on how the past four months - from the January massacres inside Iran to the current war - have affected Iranians not only inside the country, but across the diaspora. While the realities inside Iran remain the central focus, this conversation examines how millions outside the country are experiencing a different kind of impact - one that is emotional, psychological, and deeply tied to identity, relationships, and community. Jian is joined by Shiva Negar, Satin, and Sadaf Yasini for a panel discussion on how this moment has reshaped their lives, their work, and their connections to others. Topics include the strain on friendships and families, the pressure to take public positions, the role of artists and influencers, and the challenge of staying engaged without becoming overwhelmed. This episode is brought to you with the support of Stellar Law - https://stellarlaw.ca And Avoca Chocolates - https://avocachocolates.com

On this episode of Roqe, Iranian-British journalist and documentary filmmaker Bozorgmehr Sharafedin joins from Washington for a timely and revealing conversation on the state of Iran and the global conversation surrounding it. As Head of Digital News at Iran International and a former BBC editor and Reuters reporter, Sharafedin brings deep insight into how Iran is being understood - and misunderstood - right now. The discussion examines whether the Islamic Republic is actually gaining ground, what divisions inside the regime may or may not mean, and how much of what we are seeing on social media reflects reality versus propaganda. The conversation also explores the idea of a “war of perception” - and who is shaping the story of what Iranians want, both inside the country and across the diaspora. Jian Ghomeshi opens the episode with an essay titled “Stop Underestimating Iranians,” challenging the growing narrative that Iranians calling for outside intervention are naïve. The essay argues that Iranians understand global power dynamics better than most - and are making calculated assessments based on lived experience. Guest: Bozorgmehr Sharafedin (Washington, DC) Support the show: https://roqemedia.com This episode is brought to you with the support of: FAMLUXY - https://famluxy.com QUASAR HOMES - https://instagram.com/quasarhomes

Jian opens Episode 431 of Roqe with an essay titled The Story Has Been Hijacked, reflecting on how the global conversation around Iran has shifted away from the human rights movement that brought millions into the streets - and why it is up to Iranians to bring that focus back. He is then joined by Lisa Daftari, Iranian-American foreign policy analyst and Editor-in-Chief of The Foreign Desk (from Los Angeles), and Dr. Shahram Kholdi, Middle East historian and political analyst (from Southwestern Ontario), for a wide-ranging conversation on who is really in charge right now. From the inner workings of the Islamic Republic to the competing influences shaping U.S. policy, and the evolving leadership dynamics within the Iranian diaspora, this episode explores how power is exercised - and perceived - at a critical moment. This is Roqe Ep.431 - IRAN RISES - Who’s In Charge? This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca Famluxy - famluxy.com

A ceasefire has been declared - but the tension has not eased. On this edition of Roqe - Iran Rises, Jian is joined by Ali Hamedani (London), Shayan Sami’i (Washington), and Sadeq Bigdeli (Toronto) to assess where things stand as talks break down and uncertainty grows. Is this a moment of calm - or The Illusion of Calm? Jian opens with an essay titled Outsourcing Repression - exploring news that the Islamic Republic has brought in foreign fighters to help suppress dissent, and what it means when a regime cannot rely on its own people to enforce its rule. The conversation that follows examines: the likelihood of the ceasefire holding why the regime is resisting a deal what people inside Iran are saying now how the diaspora is reacting and what signals matter most in the days ahead This episode is supported by: Quasar Homes https://www.instagram.com/quasarhomes Avoca Chocolates https://avocachocolates.com

As a ceasefire takes hold and attention shifts, what are we left with? On this episode, Jian opens with an essay arguing that the recent war has diverted global focus away from what he describes as one of the most consequential events in recent Iranian history - the mass killing of civilians in January. The piece examines how media narratives, geopolitical analysis, and ideological debates can displace moral clarity. Jian is then joined by Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joining from Washington, D.C. The conversation explores whether anything has fundamentally changed inside the Islamic Republic, how to interpret competing narratives about the regime’s strength, and whether ceasefires and de-escalation ultimately prolong the status quo. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - https://stellarlaw.ca Famluxy - https://famluxy.com

On this edition of Roqe, Dr. Shahram Kholdi (Southwestern Ontario) and Dr. Mahdi Ghodsi (Vienna) join Jian for a timely conversation at a consequential moment in the Iran crisis. With a deadline from Donald Trump threatening major escalation, strikes already hitting infrastructure inside Iran, and ongoing uncertainty about how Iranians are responding, this episode examines where things stand - and what may come next. Jian opens with an essay titled “Iran Is Being Debated While Iranians Are Cut Off”, looking at the regime’s internet blackout and how the absence of voices from inside Iran is shaping global narratives. The conversation covers the escalation of the conflict, the role of the blackout, the Iranian economy, recent executions, and whether the regime can survive. This episode is supported by: Quasar Homes - https://www.instagram.com/quasarhomes Avoca Chocolates - https://avocachocolates.com

On this episode of Roqe, Andrew Ghalili joins Jian from New York for a conversation on the dangers of pursuing another deal with the Islamic Republic. They discuss the aftermath of President Trump’s recent speech, why the idea of a “moderate” replacement within the regime is fundamentally flawed, and how the IRGC continues to hold power despite mounting pressure. Andrew also shares insights on what he is hearing from inside Iran, the state of the opposition, and the role of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi at this pivotal time. Jian opens with an essay titled A Deal Means More of This - a stark look at how diplomacy with the regime may delay change and prolong repression, underscored by the recent execution of 18-year-old Amirhossein Hatemi. This is Roqe Episode 427 - Iran Rises. This episode is supported by: Famluxy https://famluxy.com Avoca Chocolates https://avocachocolates.com

On this episode of Roqe, Jian opens with an essay titled “When the Truth Is Hard to Find - Ask Who Benefits,” exploring how propaganda, projection, and competing agendas are shaping the global conversation about Iran during a time of internet blackout. He is then joined by Nazenin Ansari (London), Dr. Sepehr Vakil (Evanston, Illinois), and Dr. Kaveh Elahiyoun (Las Vegas) for a panel discussion on false narratives - how they emerge, who amplifies them, and what they reveal about the current moment in Iran. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - https://stellarlaw.ca

On this episode of Roqe, Jian is joined by Bijan Kian - a returning guest who consistently sparks strong reactions from the Roqe audience. A former senior U.S. official with decades of experience across public and private sectors, Kian offers his perspective on the current war involving the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic. The conversation explores competing narratives in American media, questions around strategy, and what this moment may signal for the future of Iran - including the role of Reza Pahlavi in a potential transition. Later in the episode, Jian is joined by a panel of organizers and participants ahead of a major rally in Washington, D.C. this Sunday in support of the Lion and Sun movement: Andy Alem (New York), Mandana Khazraei (Washington, D.C.), Behnam Bayat (Toronto), and Sergio Khadem (Toronto). They discuss the purpose of the demonstration, the coordination across cities, and the broader significance for the Iranian diaspora. The episode opens with an essay by Jian examining a recent Canadian poll suggesting that roughly one in five Gen Z respondents express support for the Islamic Republic - and what this reveals about disinformation, ideology, and the urgency of better public understanding. This episode is supported by: Famluxy - https://famluxy.com Avoca Chocolates - https://avocachocolates.com

On this episode of Roqe, Jian is joined by a global panel to unpack a fast-moving and uncertain moment around Iran and the role of Donald Trump’s rhetoric and positioning in shaping what may come next. Joining from London, Washington, and Toronto are Shooka Bidarian, Shayan Sami’i, and Ardeshir Zarezadeh - bringing perspectives from media, policy, and activism to explore where things stand right now, how Iranians inside the country may be processing events, and whether the Islamic Republic is weaker than it appears. Jian opens the episode with an essay that zooms out from the daily chaos and makes a larger case: that Iran is not the Islamic Republic - and that this regime represents a temporary rupture in a much longer and richer history. This episode is supported by: Famluxy - https://famluxy.com Stellar Law - https://stellarlaw.ca