Sadegh Zibakalam, a 76-year-old retired professor of political science, is facing renewed trouble in Iran. Currently serving an 18-month sentence for criticizing the Iranian regime, Zibakalam was granted a medical furlough only to face a new investigation by Tehran’s prosecutor. As one of Iran’s most prominent public intellectuals with nearly 2 million followers across Instagram, Facebook, and X, Zibakalam fears the possibility of being sent back to prison.
The latest charges against Zibakalam stem from a speech he delivered at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies in Qatar in January. In Iran, expressing one’s opinion can lead to criminal charges, and Zibakalam found himself under scrutiny for making a sociological observation rather than expressing his personal views. He noted that many Iranians no longer support the Palestinian cause, with some even expressing admiration for Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump.
Zibakalam, known as a liberal reformist in Iran, criticized Trump as “anti-women, anti-Arab, anti-immigration, and anti-Black” in the same speech. He has denounced Netanyahu’s government for war crimes and highlighted the opposition within Israel to its policies. Zibakalam was not endorsing these viewpoints but rather highlighting the shifting attitudes among Iranians who have grown disillusioned with their own oppressive regime.
Despite his critical stance towards the leadership, Zibakalam advocates for participation in the political process with the hope of bringing about incremental change. A former revolutionary in the 1970s, he has faced persecution for his activism, including imprisonment in the past. Zibakalam’s outspokenness and willingness to challenge taboos within Iran’s political sphere have made him a prominent figure among reformists in the country.
Prevented from returning to his Ph.D. program in Britain, Esmaeil Zibakalam was permitted to teach at the University of Tehran. In 1978, Iran’s political landscape experienced a slight opening, leading Zibakalam to co-found the Islamic Association of Academics. In the following year, amidst the overthrow of the Shah by Iranian revolutionaries, he zealously sought to assist the new regime. Zibakalam was subsequently appointed to the prime minister’s office and was involved in negotiations with Kurdish rebels in Iranian Kurdistan, which ultimately failed, resulting in severe military actions against the Kurds.
Upon his return to the University of Tehran, Zibakalam advocated for the Cultural Revolution, echoing Mao Zedong’s campaign from the 1960s and ’70s. The Iranian version of this revolution involved the closure of universities, the Islamic restructuring of curricula, and the purging of dissenting faculty members, including women who refused to wear the hijab. While Zibakalam denied specific involvement in the faculty purges, he publicly expressed remorse in 1998 for his participation in the Cultural Revolution and sought forgiveness from those affected.
After serving in various academic roles within the regime, Zibakalam pursued a Ph.D. in peace studies at Bradford University in 1984, aiming to comprehend the political turmoil he had previously supported. His research focused on the Iranian Revolution, and he returned to teach at the University of Tehran in 1990. In 1995, his book “How Did We Become What We Are? Seeking the Roots of Backwardness in Iran” catapulted him to fame, initiating his ongoing quest to address Iran’s developmental disparities with the Western world.
Zibakalam’s intellectual journey challenged prevailing conspiracy theories by undertaking a comprehensive analysis of European and Iranian history, emphasizing the choices made by Iranians themselves. Despite the book’s popularity and influence within Iran, his later advocacy for liberal values and critique of Iran’s foreign policy incited backlash from the regime. Facing repeated prosecution since 2014, Zibakalam found himself marginalized due to his outspoken dissent, particularly regarding Iran’s involvement in regional conflicts like the Syrian civil war.
Despite the risks, Zibakalam continued to stand by his convictions, expressing solidarity with oppressed communities and advocating for democratic movements across the Middle East. His unwavering commitment to freedom of expression and human rights has made him a prominent figure in Iran’s intellectual and political spheres.
Zibakalam has faced criticism and consequences for his views on Israel over the years. In the early 2000s, he spoke out against Iran’s stance on Israel, calling for moderation and criticizing their position as being “more Palestinian than Palestinians.” During a public debate in 2014, he surprised many by acknowledging Israel as a country based on UN recognition. This stance led to him losing his teaching position. Despite this, he continued to defy expectations by refusing to trample on American and Israeli flags during a university event in 2016, stating that it was wrong to disrespect any country’s flag.
In an effort to educate Iranians about Jewish history and combat hatred promoted by the regime, Zibakalam published a book titled “Birth of Israel: A History of 4000 Years of Judaism,” which was banned in Iran but widely shared through alternative channels. Despite facing imprisonment and legal challenges, he persisted in his advocacy for dialogue and understanding, even participating in debates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Following his arrest and subsequent cancer diagnosis, Zibakalam returned to public discourse, sharing controversial views online. He criticized Iran’s lack of open debate compared to the Israeli press, and called for diplomatic gestures towards the United States. Despite being seen as a moderate voice in Iran, Zibakalam’s pragmatic approach makes him a target for the authorities who view him as a threat due to his ability to articulate far-reaching demands in a reasoned manner.
He is known for asking straightforward questions, such as, “Why is Iran attempting to destroy Israel?” He also bravely points out undeniable truths that the regime tries to deny. This is what used to be referred to as speaking truth to power. His actions in Doha have once again landed him in trouble with a regime that relies on silence and instilling fear. This article was originally published in The Atlantic.
