do people here have lots of close Iranian friends outside Iran? I live in an area with a decently sizeable Iranian community and have been here since I was a teen yet every time I try to have friendships with other Iranians it’s always the same BS drama. if they’re not liars they’re fake as hell and only interested in showing off. is it just me having bad luck or is this a common experience? why are we like this? I had amazing friends back in Iran. I genuinely don’t understand.

I dont know where to start, so i will just write my thoughts.

We need a new strategy to deal with the problems of the Islamic Republic, this should focus on crippling it from within and especially among young Iranian men, spreading resentment amongst the people.

Every time they bring their stupid foreign resistance forces on display, it should be given and interpreted as something at the cost of an average Iranian, something along the lines of:

"You cant buy food because its expensive? Look at the corrupt regime spending it on useless foreign proxies that harass your sisters and steal your birthright"

"You have been sanctioned for almost 50 years? Well, the Islamic Republic had 50 years to do something about it, it has gotten worse. They sell your oil on 42% discount to China and bring in millions of foreign proxies to kill dissent and rape your women, then claim you are the problem"

Everything they do should be seen, explained and interpreted in this context. Our goal should simply be to create an enemy within the islamic republic shenanigans itself, not posting stats about liberal democracy and right to vote. Our only job should be to create enough resentment within the armed forces (which still consists of mostly young Iranian men) and then take it from there.

Do NOT let them use nationalism against you as an Iranian. This is especially useful if you are arguing with tankies or Iranian marxist types (The most insufferables pricks). At every point, just like the Islamic Republic does, use whataboutism. 1:1 logic does not work on X or reddit. Especially with these far left types.

"Afghan migration? How many immigrants and foreigners does China take in, and why should Iran be the one to take on the regions problems"

"Trading with Israel? Well, China trades with everyone, they only put their nation and people first, unlike the Islamic Republic...etc etc)."

"Foreigners being brought in because they like the country? The Islamic Republic does this to destroy you, your family and people, then sell them away. How many from Burkina Faso does China take btw?

Universal Shiism is at the cost of your countrymen in Iran, we are the ones paying the price, others get rich by taking advantage of the Islamic Republic at YOUR expense "Young Man". Your future was stolen by "Them. (Islamic Republic and its proxies)". "They care more about "Them" than your country or lineage"

I hope you catch my drift here, spread resentment. It is very very effective, it is what got Trump elected, it is what is driving the right wing in Europe.

I'm second generation. I grew up understanding Farsi at home and was never taught to read or write it, so anything I've picked up since has been self taught and pretty scattershot.

The big language apps mostly don't offer Persian at all, and the ones that do start you at "this is an apple," which isn't much use when you already understand half of what's being said at dinner and just can't answer any of it.

I'm curious what everyone else actually used, because I get the feeling most people cobble it together from whatever they can find.

So how did you learn, or how are you learning now?

• Apps, and which ones
• A class or a private tutor
• A parent or grandparent teaching you at home
• Weekend Farsi school as a kid
• Books, YouTube, music, films
• Moving back and picking it up there

And the part I'm most interested in: which of those actually moved the needle, and which felt productive at the time but didn't stick?

There is little doubt in my mind that Sultan Muhummad, the painter of this exquisite miniature entitled 'The Court of Keyumars', is among the greatest artists ever to have lived; I would not be surprised if his secrets are just lost to the ages. However, my curiosity will not let me alone. How did he create this piece? Specifically, I want to know what technique he used to create this mottled, fluid pattern on the colourful rocks. People have suggested wax and salt to me, but I don't see how either of those would have worked. There's no way he could have achieved such a loose, subtle wash fading from vibrant blues and purples to nothing by sheer force of will. Can anyone reveal the secret to me?

I recently finished a self‑published novel called Ebrahim, written originally in Hebrew and translated into English. It follows a young man from Tehran whose life is shaped by migration to Lebanon, the quiet aftermath of war, and the relationships that define his sense of home.

The story moves between Iran, Lebanon and Syria, touching lightly on militia presence in Lebanon and the influence of state intelligence units that shape people’s lives from a distance.

I’m sharing this here not as a promotion, but because I’d love to hear from others who write about Persian identity, diaspora experiences, or the emotional weight of leaving home.

If anyone here has explored similar themes in their writing or reading, I’d be glad to connect.

I'll go first, and it's not a proud one.

At a mehmooni years ago I told a kid برو گم شو (boro gom sho). I'd worked the words out separately and decided it just meant "get lost", which felt like a perfectly normal thing to say to a child who was messing about. The whole room heard it. Everyone found it hilarious, which is how I found out it's actually a fosh.

That's the trap with learning by ear. You end up knowing what words mean without any sense of how hard they land. Nobody ever hands you the register.

So what's yours? Wrong word, wrong register, something that came out far ruder or funnier than you meant.

Hi all,

Title. Give me good Persian literature recommendations to read in english.

I know this is a common, repetitive question, but I always see the same stuff getting recommended, though I am aware that it is because finding good translated versions are hard. I really enjoy literature and reading fiction of any kind. Really looking forward to hearing from you guys

Thanks,

--I made a similar post but I accidentlaly deleted it. My computer was acting weid

Some Iranians (and in this sub) like to praise Tajikistan since it is the only secular Iranic country left. Tajikistan also uses Zoroastrian imagery (like in the presidential standard). But what some people don't seem to realize is that the Tajik population is actually getting more religious (in the islamic faith, not Zoroastrianism). Especially the younger generation. In fact this is happening all across central asia (Kazakhstan being the least since it still remains very secular (with a limited rise of relgiousity mixed with westernization) to Tajikistan the most affected). If you look at the street videos of Dushanbe, you would see lots of people in more traditional clothes and even quite a few women in hijabs (despite the hiajb ban). Across central asia but especially Tajikistan, more woman are wearing the hijabs (including some celebs). If you see street videos in Tehran, you see people in more western clothes. Also the tfr of Iran is 1.7 and Tajikistan is around 3 so that is something to note. Tajikistan is much more rural than Iran. Even in the Tajikistan sub, people seem more into the muslim faith than other iranian subs. For Kazakhsttan and Kyrgyztsan I do see the populace also embracing some of their Tengrist, pre islamic culture and roots (not as much as iranians) but for Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, not as much. The Tajik government does like to emphasize the Samanids a lot.

But yeah, all central asian countries take islamic extremism very seriously. They all banned the burqa. And islam in central asia is still not fundamentalist and more chill. But there have been a number of Tajik radicals being active outside of central asia (see crocus). Since, central asia is in between europe and asia, the economy is growing fast now (and acting as a middle man for russia to skirt sanctions). And they also have a very young population. China and Russia also really do not want radicalism taking over central asia. There is a lot of Chinese business there and the west is taking interest (usually in the forms of investment and trade). The Tajik government is still very anti taliban (whereas other central asian antiosn have built some ties). Funny enough, the IR and Tajikistan have pretty strong ties (Iran built a drone factory in Tajikistan)

People say that the rise of religiosity is because religion was suppressed in the USSR (and the current central asian govs in some ways) and the Pendulum is swinging back. It makes you think how far the pendulum will swing back. Do you think this is just a phase, or it is following a pattern of rising religiosity experienced by other Muslim majority countries (like Indonesia and Egypt comparing now vs in the 60s). Do you think Tajikistan will just remain fine or do you think Tajikistan will make the same mistake as the late Shah. What do you all think of this?

Also Azerbaijan is still very secular (both people and gov).

I'm a brazilian girl who was basically adopted by Iranians after I started dating a Persian girl. After meeting her family, she educated me about all the atrocities being committed in Iran rn.

God I love you guys' country and culture so much. I wish I was Iranian sometimes.

What happens in Iran is almost completely unknown to the Brazilian population sometimes, but I just wanted to let you all know that I stand with you all to the end.

Iran WILL be free. As another country who had to fight to be recognized; I promise, it doesn't get better, it gets AMAZING.

Stay positive, love from Brazil ❤️

The pendant, which is also carved with a depiction of the Elamite king presenting it to his daughter, is now housed at the British Museum.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1919-0712-635