Heterodorx Episode 186: What's Happening In Iran? With Zartosht Soltani
12 snips
Jan 28, 2026 
Zartosht Soltani, an Iranian-American animator and comic-book creator, shares firsthand perspective on life under political repression. He discusses the current uprisings, communication blackouts, contested casualty counts, imprisonment experiences, and how power and nepotism operate in Iran. He also talks about his comic Deev, artistic freedom, and comparisons between U.S. cultural clashes and Iran’s turmoil.
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Accidental Green Card And Lone Start In NYC
- Zartosht won a U.S. green card in a lottery after his cousin submitted a childhood photo from New York.
- He moved to Brooklyn with little English and relied on a single cousin who worked long hospital shifts.
Uprisings Target The Regime, Not Just Policies
- The current uprisings in Iran repeatedly erupt from economic and political grievances but always target the regime itself.
- Zartosht Soltani emphasizes social media and street protests reveal motives beyond single triggers like hijab or inflation.
Information Blackouts Inflate Uncertainty
- Casualty counts vary widely; independent tallies based on social posts and hospital reports suggest far higher deaths than official claims.
- Zartosht notes internet and phone shutdowns hinder verification and isolate families.
