Hassanzadeh was once a loyal soldier of the Revolution and later a painter of martyrs for Khomeini\u2019s Basij paramilitary force. That he \u201cdidn\u2019t tell the government he was a painter\u201d, withholding his talents from a regime with which he had become disillusioned, was itself a subtle act of political defiance.
Edited by Malu Halasa and Maziar Bahari \u2013 prominent journalists who work for both the Iranian and Western press \u2013 Transit Tehran is perfectly pitched to a Western audience without compromising on quality or depth. Unearthing complex ideas and moments of pathos and humour, it provides an insight beyond the stereotypes of either exotic Persia or rogue Islamic state. As Western leaders debate whether they should \u201ctalk to Tehran\u201d, this book allows Tehran talk to us, in myriad rich and compelling voices.
Ruby Russell<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
![\"transittehranfinalcover.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.foto8.com\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/transittehranfinalcover.jpg\" "\\"transittehranfinalcover.jpg\\"")
<\/a> Published by Garnet