02/10/2026
In 2013, I traveled to Iran, a country often in international headlines, yet little known by most people. After receiving rare permission to photograph Tehran, my dear friend and former international news partner, , and I produced a series of stories documenting life in this massive capital of over 12 million people.
These images show a city alive, buzzing bazaars, everyday moments, and people simply living their lives. But today, more than a decade later, Iran is once again at a historic crossroads.
Since late December 2025, Iranians across the country have taken to the streets in what has become the largest wave of protests since the 1979 Revolution, driven by a deep economic crisis, runaway inflation, the collapse of the rial, and demands for fundamental political change and dignity. People have been killed, hundreds of thousands injured, and many more arrested in a brutal crackdown by security forces. The government has also imposed near-total internet blackouts to suppress communication and hide whatās happening on the ground.
Looking back at these photos now, Iām reminded that behind every headline and geopolitical narrative are real people, their daily lives, their hopes, their struggles. What I saw in Tehran in 2013 was not a monolith, but a city full of stories. Today, Iranians are writing a new and painful chapter in their history, challenging the world to see beyond the headlines and recognize their courage, resilience, and longing for change.
āØ Explore some of the published and unpublished stories, images, and moments RAW and REAL.
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