Episode 186: What's Happening In Iran? With Zartosht Soltani

Episode 186: What's Happening In Iran? With Zartosht Soltani

From Heterodorx by Corinna Cohn

January 28, 2026 · 1h 18m

About this episode

The episode explores the recent events in Iran through the insights of guest Zartosht Soltani, who shares his personal experiences and observations on the political climate and cultural shifts.

The Dorx try to understand recent events in the Area Formerly Known As Persia by interrogating animator-cartoonist-painter-comic book creator Zartosht Soltani , who grew up there before moving to New York City. What’s causing the uprisings? What outcomes are possible? What’s it like being jailed in Iran? Zartosht has personal experience with the latter, which he’s channeled into his new comic book DEEV . He also observes that America is becoming more like his former country in alarming ways. Plus: useful vs useless idiots, American vs Iranian communists, “only 3,000,” extremist families, nepotism, learning English in bars, and liberation through painting. Links: Zartosht Soltani: https://www.zartoshtsoltani.com/ Deev comic: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKQV4438 Useful Idiots: https://www.reddit.com/r/agedlikemilk/comments/1q3lnko/iranian_students_celebrate_the_victory_of_the/ Rita Panahi savages Whoopee Goldberg Jo Freeman essay on trashing: https://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/trashing.htm Get full access to Heterodorx Podcast at heterodorx.substack.com/subscribe

People in this episode

Host: Corinna Cohn

Guest: Zartosht Soltani

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Heterodorx

Products: DEEV

Places: Iran, New York City

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