Roqe Ep. 445 - IRAN RISES - The Game They're Playing - Ahmad Batebi, Shahram Kholdi

The World Cup has begun and Team Melli has finally taken the field. Following Iran's 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles, Jian Ghomeshi is joined by Atbin Arian, Seena Ghaznavi and Mehrdad Ahmadpour to discuss the atmosphere surrounding the opening match, the presence of Lion and Sun flags inside the stadium, FIFA's role in shaping the broadcast narrative, and the complicated feelings many Iranians have toward supporting the national team under the Islamic Republic. Before the panel, Jian opens the show with an essay entitled "The Cameras Looked Away" about television, censorship, narrative control, and what happens when millions of viewers are shown one version of reality while another exists just outside the frame. Sponsored by Avoca Chocolates.

As the FIFA World Cup gets underway, many people around the world are focused on football. But many Iranians are focused on something else entirely. Jian Ghomeshi welcomes former political prisoner and activist Ahmad Batebi and historian and political analyst Dr. Shahram Kholdi for a discussion about the World Cup, Team Melli, the Islamic Republic's attempts to shape narratives on the global stage, and how the Iranian diaspora can use this moment to keep attention focused on the struggle for freedom in Iran. The panel also examines rising tensions between Iran and the United States, new threats from President Donald Trump, and whether recent developments point to growing regime vulnerability or simply another turn in a familiar geopolitical cycle. But first, Jian opens the show with an essay entitled "WE KNOW THE GAME," reflecting on football, politics, propaganda, and why so many Iranians have become deeply skeptical of the competing agendas surrounding major international events. This episode is brought to you by Stellar Law and Quasar Homes.

The FIFA World Cup begins in just one week, and once again the debate is underway. Will politics overshadow the football? Or will the football eventually overshadow the politics? On this episode of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi welcomes Atbin Arian and Shayan Sami’i for a conversation about the upcoming World Cup, FIFA’s contradictions, the controversy surrounding the Lion and Sun flag, Team Melli, nationalism, identity, free expression, and the difficult questions many Iranians continue to wrestle with whenever international sport and Iranian politics collide. Will Iranian fans support Team Melli? Has FIFA’s handling of the Lion and Sun flag created more controversy rather than less? And when the first whistle blows, will football once again reclaim center stage? But first, Jian opens the show with an essay entitled “They Always Tell Us To Keep Politics Out Of It”, exploring why so many people are told to separate politics from culture and sport, and why that separation is often easier said than done. Guests: Atbin Arian Shayan Sami’i Sponsors: Stellar Law Quasar Homes Recorded June 4, 2026.

Canada officially lists the IRGC as a terrorist entity. So why do reports continue surfacing about regime-connected figures, insiders, and individuals allegedly tied to the Islamic Republic entering Canada? On this episode of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi moderates a timely and provocative panel discussion examining immigration, ideology, western political culture, security concerns, and whether Canada has failed to meaningfully confront the nature of the Islamic Republic regime. Featuring: Sadeq Bigdeli - lawyer and Iranian human rights advocate (Toronto) Mehran Aminian - artist, activist, and immigration consultant (Toronto) Avideh Motmaenfar - osteopathic practitioner, political commentator, and a President of the Council of Iranian Canadians (Oakville) But first, Jian opens the episode with an essay entitled “Who Let the Mullahs In?” - a sharp and poetic reflection on power, influence, ideology, and the growing concern among many Iranian Canadians that the regime they fled may now be finding comfort inside the very democracies built on freedom. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca Famluxy - famluxy.com

In the midst of revolution, repression, emotional exhaustion, and political uncertainty, is it still okay to laugh? On this edition of Roqe, Jian sits down with two Iranian content creators and comedians who have built large audiences through satire, parody, viral videos, standup, and social media commentary while also openly supporting the Lion and Sun Revolution against the Islamic Republic regime. Joining Jian are: Amir Arfa - political satirist and creator behind @expatsunleashed - from Los Angeles Pouya Comedy - Iranian standup comic and online creator - from Zurich, Switzerland Together they discuss the role of humour during times of crisis, why tyrants fear satire, whether comedy can become resistance, how Iranian audiences have changed over the past year, and the challenge of balancing outrage, grief, identity, and laughter in the Iranian diaspora right now. But first, Jian opens the episode with an essay titled “DEAL OR NO DEAL - We Will Not Stop” - reflecting on the breaking reports of a possible Trump-Islamic Republic agreement and why, regardless of geopolitics or diplomacy, supporters of freedom and democracy in Iran must continue speaking out and reminding the world exactly what the Islamic Republic regime is. This episode is supported by: Quasar Homes Avoca Chocolates

Why has the war not resumed? Why has a deal not been reached? And what exactly is happening during this strange and uneasy silence between the Islamic Republic and the West? On this edition of Roqe, Jian is joined by Lisa Daftari in Los Angeles and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in Washington DC for a deeper examination of the prolonged pause following the ceasefire. Is the regime buying time? Is the West hesitating? And for millions of Iranians hoping for regime change, what does this uncertain in-between moment actually tell us about the future? But first, in the aftermath of Arsenal F.C. winning their first Premier League title in 22 years this week, Jian opens the episode with a deeply personal tribute to Aref Jafarzadeh - an Iranian Arsenal supporter from Rasht who was reportedly killed by Islamic Republic forces during the January 2026 protests while still wearing his Arsenal jersey. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca Famluxy - famluxy.com

After months of rallies, emotional highs, hopes for revolution, fears of war, endless political debates, and now growing uncertainty once again, many Iranians are simply exhausted. On this 440th edition of Roqe - “IRAN RISES - We Are Not Okay” - Jian Ghomeshi explores the emotional and psychological toll the last five months have taken on Iranians around the world. In his opening essay, “WE ARE NOT OKAY AFTER THIS,” Jian reflects on the exhaustion, uncertainty, fragmentation, and emotional whiplash many people are quietly carrying after months of living inside the Iran Rises movement. Then, Jian is joined by Melica Bokaie - traveller, creator, and storyteller joining us from Nayarit, Mexico - and returning Roqe contributor Bahador Alast in Toronto for an honest and thoughtful conversation about identity, burnout, hope, fear, division within the diaspora, and the emotional aftermath of the Iran Rises period. At the same time, the discussion also asks whether, beneath all the exhaustion and uncertainty, there are still reasons for optimism - and whether the last five months may have permanently changed the political and emotional landscape for Iranians everywhere. This episode is supported by: Quasar Homes @QuasarHomes Avoca Chocolates avocachocolates.com

Roqe Ep.439 - Can China Decide Iran’s Future? As Donald Trump meets Xi Jinping in Beijing, Iran is quietly becoming one of the most consequential subjects behind closed doors. On this edition of Roqe, Jian opens with an essay entitled “The Regime Is Not Surviving Alone” - a provocative look at how China has become one of the Islamic Republic’s most important economic lifelines, and why the future of Iran may now depend not only on what happens in Tehran, but also in Beijing. Then, a deep-dive panel on China’s role in sustaining - or potentially reshaping - the future of the Islamic Republic. Joining Jian: Shayan Sami’i - U.S. national security analyst and strategic communications expert - Vienna, Virginia Dr. Shahram Kholdi - historian, political analyst, and expert on modern Iranian politics - Southwestern Ontario Topics include: China’s economic relationship with the Islamic Republic Iranian oil exports and sanctions evasion Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping Whether Beijing sees Tehran as ally or asset China’s leverage over the regime The geopolitical future of the Lion & Sun Revolution Whether revolutions in 2026 are fought not only in the streets - but also through oil contracts, trade routes, and global alliances This episode is supported by: Stellar Law https://stellarlaw.ca Famluxy https://famluxy.com

Do we return to “normal” - or not yet? For many Iranians in the diaspora, recent months have been marked by trauma, war, executions, fear for loved ones, and a collective decision to pause parts of ordinary life out of solidarity with those suffering inside Iran. But as exhaustion sets in, an important question emerges: how do people remain engaged in a long struggle without losing themselves entirely to grief? On Episode 438 of Roqe - Iran Rises, Jian Ghomeshi hosts a thoughtful conversation about grief, resilience, burnout, creativity, activism, and the emotional balancing act facing Iranians around the world. Joining Jian: Kamyar Mahinsa - influencer and law enforcement expert - Vancouver Dr. Sepehr Vakil - scholar and author - Chicago Dr. Laleh Tangsiri - human rights advocate - Bournemouth, UK Seena Ghaznavi - podcaster and comedian - Los Angeles The episode opens with Jian’s essay, “What Exactly Are You Defending?” - a direct response to those who continue to romanticize or defend the Islamic Republic while Iran remains one of the execution capitals of the world. The essay follows the execution of 29-year-old Erfan Shakourzadeh in Karaj and confronts the moral contradictions surrounding support for the regime. Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi. This episode is supported by: @Quasarhomes Avoca Chocolates

Roqe Ep. 437 - IRAN RISES - The Lion & Sun Revolution: Stalled or Still Alive? As the movement against the Islamic Republic enters a more uncertain and psychologically complicated phase, many Iranians are asking a difficult question: has the revolutionary momentum toward regime change stalled… or is this simply the messy middle chapter that revolutions often pass through before change arrives? Jian Ghomeshi opens the episode with a poetic essay entitled “We Know Who They Are” - reflecting on why millions of Iranians refuse to normalize or rehabilitate the Islamic Republic after decades of executions, repression, censorship, corruption, and violence. Then, a thoughtful and passionate panel discussion with: Bijan Kian - former U.S. senior official and Iranian-American political and business strategist - joining us from Los Angeles Pantea Modiri - journalist, documentary filmmaker, and former television host - joining us from London Together, they explore morale, media narratives, psychological fatigue, propaganda, leadership, and whether supporters of the Lion & Sun Revolution should feel discouraged right now. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law https://stellarlaw.ca Follow Jian on Instagram: @JianGhomeshi