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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Iran's battle with imperialism, its desire for independence, ambition to be the guarantor of security in the Persian Gulf, and regional power projection did not begin today, and are not likely to end anytime soon. #Iran #IranWar Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1969:

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The first Nowruz greeting ceremony in 1926. Reza Shah's first year as #Iran's king. The photo was taken only a few months after Reza Shah's reign began and one month before his coronation ceremony was held.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The American warship USS Garcia docks at Abadan, #Iran. Its sailors tour the sights of Khuzestan, play a few sports matches against the Iranian Navy, and leave three days later. That's it. That's the whole story. Source: Ratsakhiz Daily, March 18, 1976.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Worthy notes from #Iran. "An image that was once assumed widespread – that Iran is a nation kidnapped by our political establishment – is beginning to erode. In its place is another idea: that we're a nation at war w/ a hostile regional foe & its imperial backer." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

Trump still thinks Iranians will ‘rise up’ against the government. In Tehran I see a different story | Hossein Hamdieh

If anything, the ongoing war is uniting a divided country against the foreign invaders. Washington seems a long way from grasping this point, says Hossein Hamdieh, a social researcher based in Tehran

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

It was a privilege to attend the Association for Iranain Studies Conference in Utrecht. Meeting many new colleagues and catching up with old friends was a joy.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

My interview with TRT World on Trump’s expletive-laden threats against #Iran and the heightened risk of regional escalation following Saudi Arabia’s overt entry into the war. youtu.be/REG3ZYCB5Gs

youtu.be

Trump issues expletive-laden threat to Iran after Jordan attacks

YouTube video by TRT World Now

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Devastated to hear the news of Akbar Abdi's passing. A legend. A king of comedy. A master of drama. A true actor. For nearly 50 years, he entertained an entire nation. 1/5 #Iran

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

I am going to leave this here to preserve this moment. Some horrors also need to be preserved. A dark, unsettling, and dispiriting moment for #Iran, the Middle East, and the United States. A disaster in the making. And yes, an even bigger disaster than it already has been. 1/3

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Dior's latest campaign was meant to be a tribute to timeless elegance. Iranians, however, immediately noticed something else: the latest vogue looked remarkably like what their dads, uncles, and teachers wore in the 1960s. The rest is meme history... #Iran

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

ICYMI: In my latest, I translate the testimony of a Bushehr resident who remained in the city during the initial weeks of the #IranWar‌, walking its streets, talking to people, & bearing witness to the fear, humor, & resilience of everyday life under fire. guardeddomains.substack.com/p/when-the-w...

guardeddomains.substack.com

When the War Came to Bushehr

Pages from a War – Part 9

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

guardeddomains.substack.com

When the War Came to Bushehr

Pages from a War – Part 9

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

What does it mean to “hold on to life” in the middle of a war? In Bushehr, it meant fleeing w/ a fishbowl or a pair of lovebirds. Saving 2 flowerpots from a shattered shop. Tightening bolts on a construction site while warplanes circled overhead. guardeddomains.substack.com/p/when-the-w... 1/3 #Iran

guardeddomains.substack.com

When the War Came to Bushehr

Pages from a War – Part 9

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Reposted by Reza H. Akbari

Chris Osieck @chrisosieck.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

“But what struck me was this: in the middle of all that chaos, what mattered to him were his flowerpots. The fact that in such conditions he was paying attention to his flowerpots. Those [things], those [moments], were signs of people clinging to life or clawing at it, refusing to let it go.”

He said, “Just now, while they were bombing, the suspended ceiling in my shop collapsed from the blast. Glass shattered everywhere. I reached in, grabbed only my flowerpots, and now I’m leaving the city. Then your Snapp request came through, and I thought, ‘Well, here’s another poor soul. I might as well take him with me.’” I told him, “No, I actually have something I need to do [and then I will return].”

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

guardeddomains.substack.com

When the War Came to Bushehr

Pages from a War – Part 9

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Dr. Rachel Schine @rachelschine.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

underrated poast

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A U.S. official says #Iran has downed roughly 30 American Reaper drones since the war began. They cost around $30 million each, so that’s close to $1 billion in losses. abcnews.com/Politics/ira...

abcnews.com

Iran has shot down 30 US Reaper drones, US official says

Iran claimed to have shot one Reaper down during U.S. strikes on Tuesday.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

An ongoing thread of the most memorable movie shots from Iranian cinema: #IranianCinema #Iran

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Andy Trask @andytrask.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

This is awesome.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

An ongoing thread of the most memorable movie shots from Iranian cinema: #IranianCinema #Iran

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Ali Khamenei lies in state in Tehran as #Iran begins a week of funeral ceremonies. Foreign delegations file past the coffins of the slain Supreme Leader & members of his family. Each delegation is escorted into the hall by a brief military march. Then there is a short recitation from the Quran. 1/5

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Massive military flyovers are happening over the National Mall as part of the Freedom 250 celebrations and they are terrifying. My entire house shakes when the planes go by.

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Reposted by Reza H. Akbari

Ntrn Chck @ntrnchck.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Incredible stories from #Iran, Kharg Island. "The island’s native residents, who probably number fewer than 50, stayed where they were...Do you know what their greatest concern was? The gazelles. Kharg Island is home to a native population of gazelles. There are around 200 to 300 of them..."

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Chris Osieck @chrisosieck.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

An account of Kharg Island during the war: “The island’s native residents, who probably number fewer than 50, stayed where they were. Every night they would sit beside the runway, smoke hookah, and gaze out at the sea. Do you know what their greatest concern was? The gazelles.”

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

US homeland security secretary on #Iran’s elimination from the World Cup: “I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave the US soil and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance.” www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.com

US security chief ‘danced a happy dance’ after Iran’s World Cup elimination

Markwayne Mullin, the US homeland security secretary, said: ‘I might’ve sung a song or two,’ when Iran were knocked out after three group-stage draws

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Reposted by Reza H. Akbari

Abu Aardvark @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Someday I want to see a really well reported story from the Iranian side on how they managed to systematically destroy the entire US military base archipelago America had built and relied on for decades, and why the US couldn’t protect them. We kind of shrug and move on but it’s astonishing.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

The past 100 days of war have produced a growing body of diaries, oral testimonies, journalistic accounts, and personal reflections shared by Iranians across digital platforms. Together, they form a collective record that preserves the nation's memory of the moment. 1/2 #Iran

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Brian Ulrich @brianjulrich.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Here from @rezahakbari.bsky.social is another set of Iranian war testimonies, two from Bandar Abbas and one from Kharg #Iran

guardeddomains.substack.com

War at the Water’s Edge

Pages from a War – Part 8

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Paul Babinski @paulbabinski.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

An Arabic-Persian-Turkish glossary, copied in the early 18th century by one of the great orientalist autodidacts, Henry Wild, a tailor from Norwich who was said to have taught himself Hebrew, Arabic, & Persian, among other languages. University of Sydney Library, ms Add. Ms. 56

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I am proud of #Iran's team. They played with a lot of heart and unrelenting determination despite the immense challenges created by war, travel restrictions, and dozens of other issues. They should hold their heads high. 1/3

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

As #Iran battles in the FIFA World Cup, its national team carries far more than sporting expectations. Months of war, a suspended domestic league, disrupted preparations, & travel restrictions have shaped the road to this tournament and continue to create significant challenges. 1/9

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Entertaining. Frustrating at times. A win was within reach, but I’ll take it. Go Team Melli! #Iran

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I believe #Iran is a superior team. Early jitters caused us a stupid goal. Focus is lacking a bit. With everything that has happened off the field, I am pretty proud of the boys so far. It’s also so beautiful to see the unified chants of “Iran” from the stadium.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Eric Lob does not have a Bluesky account. This is a fake setup. Please be aware.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

My latest examines how Iranians are documenting the past 100 days of war. Featuring translated excerpts from a podcast produced in #Iran, the essay explores the conflict through experiences of ordinary life rather than through the lens of strategy or politics. 1/2

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Iranian singer Erfan Tahmasbi's powerful World Cup song, Run (Bodo in Persian), was released a few days ago. Both the music video & the lyrics strike a remarkable balance, portraying a nation weighed down by war, repression, & grief while refusing to surrender a sense of possibility. 1/2 #Iran

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Analysis of Satellite Image and Videos Suggest Precision U.S. Strikes on Iranian Water Facility www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/w... #Iran

nytimes.com

Analysis of Satellite Image and Videos Suggest Precision U.S. Strikes on Iranian Water Facility

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Ceremonial Send-Off for #Iran’s National Football Team Ahead of the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

I spoke with @foreignpolicy.com about the upcoming vote in the US Congress to end Trump’s war against #Iran & what such a move could mean for political calculations in Tehran. I argued that a vote of this nature may signal that American public support for the continuation of the conflict is waning.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

A well-done interactive feature by the @nytimes.com on the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the global ripple effects of the #Iran war. It's a very clear visual explanation of how disruptions in the waterway can reshape global energy flows, shipping, and markets. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

nytimes.com

The Long Journey From the Strait of Hormuz to the Gas Tank

Even if the Strait of Hormuz reopened today, oil would still take more than a month to reach consumers. The economic shock from the Iran war could take far longer to ease.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

In my latest article for Foreign Policy, published in March, I argued that calls for America to demand #Iran’s “unconditional surrender” rest on shaky historical grounds. guardeddomains.substack.com/p/unconditio... 1/4

guardeddomains.substack.com

‘Unconditional Surrender’ Is Always an Illusion

An American myth reemerges for the Iran war

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Thanks to @mediapart.fr for translating & republishing my latest essay in French. The piece is largely my translation of a civilian account from the war in #Iran as told by Azadeh Sadeghi, a filmmaker forced to relocate with her family from Tehran to Isfahan. 1/2 blogs.mediapart.fr/reza-h-akbar...

blogs.mediapart.fr

Norouz à Ispahan : venger la mort par la vie, le témoignage d'une civile iranienne

Derrière les portes closes des pourparlers américano-iraniens, des populations meurtries et épuisées par la guerre attendaient avec angoisse l’issue des négociations. Dans les récits provenant de l’i…

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Tehran Ceasefire by Bozorgmehr Hosseinpour. #Iran

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Howard Eissenstat @heissenstat.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

This is the negotiating position of a country with a good hand.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

As long as the #Lebanon ceasefire lasts the Strait of Hormuz will be open, #Iran's Foreign Minister announces.

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Reza H. Akbari @rezahakbari.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

ICYMI: In my latest, I center the everyday realities & lived experiences of Iranians enduring war. Negotiations are ongoing, & the ceasefire has offered a temporary respite, but the violence has left deep scars that will take years to heal. guardeddomains.substack.com/p/revenging-... #Iran 1/3

guardeddomains.substack.com

Revenging Death by Living: A Civilian Account from the Iran War

Pages from a War – Part 6

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