The Moynihan Report Iran: Past, Present, and Future with Roya Hakakian | The Moynihan Report
Jun 18, 2025
Roya Hakakian, an Iranian-American author known for her works on Iran's complex history, shares her insights with Michael. They discuss life in Iran, revealing the struggles for freedom amidst oppression and the courage of its citizens. Roya delves into Khomeini's legacy and its lasting impact on contemporary movements, while also addressing the regime’s international reach and its implications for U.S. foreign policy. The conversation highlights the ripple effects of the 1979 revolution and explores the troubling dynamics of Iran's future leadership.
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Roya Hakakian's Iran Experience
- Roya Hakakian personally experienced life in Iran through the Iran-Iraq war and left the country in 1985.
- Her memoir recounts these formative years under theocratic rule and wartime hardships.
Regime Freezes Time in Iran
- The Iranian regime maintains power by freezing time through ruthless control, making societal progress impossible.
- This creates a paradox where the country appears unchanged but is severely repressed and stifled.
Daily Acts as Civil Disobedience
- Ordinary acts like women removing headscarves or owning dogs in Iran have become civil disobedience.
- These small daily defiant actions highlight the regime's oppressive control over personal freedoms.