In the latest episode of the podcast “Iran, the Untold Story,” host Azadeh Zabeti welcomed jurist and women’s and human rights activist Mahan Taraj, joining from Paris, France. The episode provided an in-depth look into Mahan’s life, her family’s involvement with the Iranian Resistance movement, and her recent initiative to launch a French-language podcast.
Mahan began by sharing her early life in Iran and subsequent relocation to France as a refugee in 1987. She highlighted the struggles her family faced and their unwavering support for the People Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), the largest opposition group to Iran’s ruling regime. Mahan’s aunt, Mahboubeh Kia, was a PMOI member who was killed by the clerical regime in 1988, a story that significantly impacted Mahan’s commitment to the cause.
Her connection to the PMOI was not merely inherited from her parents but was a conscious and informed decision. Mahan emphasized her thorough examination of various opposition groups before aligning herself with the PMOI due to their commitment to democracy, gender equality, and secularism. She praised the PMOI’s leadership and the role of women within the organization, which strongly resonated with her feminist values. Mahan also highlighted the PMOI’s respect for individual religious or personal beliefs, noting that despite being a Muslim organization, it highly respects secular values. Importantly, she emphasized that she has never been questioned about her religious beliefs by any member of the organization, showcasing the PMOI’s commitment to respecting personal convictions.
One notable part of the interview was the introduction of Mahan’s new podcast, “L’Iran Décrypté” (Iran Decrypted). This project, driven by her moral duty to support the Iranian Resistance, aims to counter misinformation about the PMOI. The podcast features interviews with experts and activists to provide an accurate portrayal of the organization. Despite not being a professional journalist, Mahan dedicates her personal time to this endeavor, with significant technical support from her French husband.
Mahan also addressed the extensive efforts by the Iranian regime to demonize the PMOI through misinformation campaigns. She urged listeners to seek reliable information, engage with PMOI supporters, and form independent opinions about the movement.
In closing, Mahan was asked to describe the Iranian Resistance movement in three words. She chose “tenacity,” highlighting the PMOI’s persistent fight against the regime for over four decades; “reliability,” for their accurate and consistent geopolitical analysis; and “independence,” emphasizing the organization’s self-sufficiency and lack of foreign dependence.
Watch the full interview with Mahan Taraj here:
