Essays on Iran

Featured essay

We Don’t Even Have Football Anymore

On Cheering Against One’s Own Heart

During Iran’s first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a goal against Team Melli brought joy, and an Iranian equalizer brought joy too. In that contradiction lies the condition of many Iranians: loving what has been captured, loathing those who captured it, and longing for a country where football can once again be only football.

By Louie Bravado · June 17, 2026

Iran in place

Landscapes, ancient sites, and places of literary memory.

Snow-capped Mount Damavand rising above green foothills — **Mount Damavand**AlborzPhotograph: Amin Rafiei · CC BY 2.0

The memorial pavilion at the tomb of Hafez in Shiraz — **Hafez’s tomb**ShirazPhotograph: MrStew · Public domain

The stone mausoleum of Ferdowsi in Tus — **Ferdowsi’s tomb**TusPhotograph: Alireza Javaheri · CC BY 3.0

Panoramic view of the ancient stone ruins at Persepolis — **Persepolis**FarsPhotograph: Shervin Afshar · CC BY-SA 2.5

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01CultureEssays exploring Iranian art, literature, language, memory, and cultural life.02PoliticsEssays on political power, institutions, ideology, freedom, authority, and the arguments shaping Iran’s present and future.

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Iran deserves sustained attention beyond the news cycle.

Essays on Iran is an independent home for patient, rigorous writing about the country’s past and present.

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