Roqe Ep. 425 - IRAN RISES - Washington Is Calling - Bijan Kian

About this episode

Jian discusses U.S. foreign policy and the Iranian diaspora with Bijan Kian and a panel ahead of a major rally in Washington, D.C.

On this episode of Roqe, Jian is joined by Bijan Kian - a returning guest who consistently sparks strong reactions from the Roqe audience. A former senior U.S. official with decades of experience across public and private sectors, Kian offers his perspective on the current war involving the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic. The conversation explores competing narratives in American media, questions around strategy, and what this moment may signal for the future of Iran - including the role of Reza Pahlavi in a potential transition. Later in the episode, Jian is joined by a panel of organizers and participants ahead of a major rally in Washington, D.C. this Sunday in support of the Lion and Sun movement: Andy Alem (New York), Mandana Khazraei (Washington, D.C.), Behnam Bayat (Toronto), and Sergio Khadem (Toronto). They discuss the purpose of the demonstration, the coordination across cities, and the broader significance for the Iranian diaspora. The episode opens with an essay by Jian examining a recent Canadian poll suggesting that roughly one in five Gen Z respondents express support for the Islamic Republic - and what this reveals about disinformation, ideology…

People in this episode

Guests: Bijan Kian, Andy Alem, Mandana Khazraei, Behnam Bayat, Sergio Khadem

Topics covered

• Iran
• U.S. foreign policy
• Islamic Republic
• Iranian diaspora
• disinformation
• Gen Z

Keywords

• Washington rally
• Lion and Sun movement
• Reza Pahlavi
• Canadian poll
• Gen Z support

Sponsors

Famluxy, Avoca Chocolates

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Famluxy, Avoca Chocolates

Books & works: Roqe Ep

Places: U.S., the United States, Israel, the Islamic Republic, Iran, Washington, D.C., New York, Toronto

More episodes of Roqe

• Roqe Ep. 434 - IRAN RISES - The Role of Alternative Media - Nazenin Ansari, Andy Alem, Kiarash Kian · April 27, 2026 · 1h 19m
• Roqe Ep. 433 - IRAN RISES - How This War Is Changing Us - Shiva Negar, Satin, Sadaf Yasini · April 23, 2026 · 1h 11m
• Roqe Ep. 432 - IRAN RISES - The War of Perception - Bozorgmehr Sharafedin · April 20, 2026 · 57 min
• Roqe Ep. 431 - IRAN RISES - Who Is In Charge? - Lisa Daftari, Shahram Kholdi · April 16, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Roqe Ep. 430 - IRAN RISES - The Illusion of Calm - Ali Hamedani, Shayan Sami'i, Sadeq Bigdeli · April 13, 2026 · 1h 8m
• Roqe Ep. 429 - IRAN RISES - Regime Unchanged - Behnam Taleblu · April 9, 2026 · 55 min