Exclusive: Testimonies from the daughter of Iranian political leader Dariush Forouhar about the assassination that horrified the world in 1998

Ms. Forouhar, aside from your impressive career as an artist and writer, the world knows you as the daughter of one of the greatest political leaders from Iran…

First of all, I want to say that I prefer to remain politically open. My mother was also very politically active, and while my father was more famous, I have experienced how they both fought for the same causes as a couple. Their political life together was significant, and I want to emphasize that my mother’s role in this political life was just as important as my father’s. I have always referred to them as a couple. My parents met when they were very young and were both very active; they got married because they wanted to stand and fight together for the same causes and ideas of democracy. Being born into such a family, of course, their political challenges influenced my brother and me throughout our lives. For example, my parents were in opposition to the monarchy regime, to the Shah, who was in power before the establishment of the Islamic Republic. My father was arrested several times during my childhood, and I would visit him in prison. Such experiences stay with you for the rest of your life. Remembering how your father was imprisoned for his ideas and strong beliefs in fighting for justice and freedom in the name of democratic principles is not part of a normal life. Experiencing prison is not pleasant, and it has impacted my perspective on everyday life. Of course, it influenced my choices later on, as being part of a political family shaped my future.

Your father, Dariush Forouhar, was one of the leading opponents of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi regime… Do you want to tell me how he got to that point?

Yes, and I think it’s important to understand my parents’ political perspective by discussing the democratic Prime Minister of Iran in the 1950s, Mohammad Mossadegh, who nationalized oil companies that were largely monopolized by British interests. This was a determining point because my father was only 22 years old when Mossadegh was elected as Prime Minister, and he was a great supporter of him. My mother was a teenager at that time, but she shared my father’s main life purposes, following the same path. Unfortunately, there was a coup against Mossadegh in 1953, organized by the CIA and British secret service MI6 in collaboration with the Shah’s regime, which also involved some high-ranking army officers. On the day of the coup, my father and other young activists who rose against those who organized it were suppressed on the streets of Tehran. My father was beaten so severely that he almost died. He was sent to the hospital and then had to hide for a few months, but unfortunately, he was found and imprisoned. The main goal of the coup, orchestrated by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his allies, was to remove Mossadegh’s democratic regime. From that moment on, my parents gained sympathy and support as activist fighters due to their adherence to Mossadegh’s democratic principles. Years later, my father was arrested again and again because they published writings protesting against the regime. This was the reason my father faced many arrests, and he spent fourteen years in prison after the coup.

Dariush Forouhar was one of the founding members of the Iranian Nationalist Party in the early 1950s… What were the premises of the party’s activity?

The political party they founded stood for democratic change in Iran, social justice, and the political independence of the country. These goals may seem simple at first glance, but in a dictatorial political context, they can become dangerous to pursue.

The Forouhar family faced oppression even after the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty, following the January 1979 Islamic Revolution, when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini came to power in Iran… What were the circumstances that led to this unfortunate situation?

I must say that my parents, as well as the political party they belonged to, had high hopes for the Islamic Revolution, believing it would bring democracy to Iran. My father was elected Minister of Labor in the first cabinet after the Islamic Revolution, but his term lasted only a year. A year later, he realized that the promised goals of the revolution had not been fulfilled. He understood that the revolutionary ideology was not democratic and that party members could not operate freely. For this reason, they became harshly critical of the new political regime. My father decided to resign through a protest letter, specifying that the parliamentary elections in Iran were rigged and manipulated. After this episode, he sided with the opposition. Against this opposition, which included politicians with liberal visions, a coup was organized, putting my father in danger of arrest once again. From that point on, my family was under oppressive control exercised by the police. Nevertheless, my father did not give up his principles; he continued to fight against a very oppressive system. I want to emphasize that the oppression of the Islamic Republic was much heavier than that during the Shah’s regime, as this Islamic regime has been much more aggressive, putting people under great physical and psychological pressure. Many were arrested and killed in prisons, making it a very difficult time for those who opposed the Islamic Republic.

Your father was involved as a mediator in the delegation sent to negotiate with the Kurdish side over the Kurdish community uprisings in the late 1970s… Why did the Iranian government refuse to implement the agreements established by the delegation that met with Kurdish religious leaders?

It was not only the Kurdish religious leaders involved, but also various parties and political movements in Iranian Kurdistan. This attempt at diplomatic conciliation took place after the revolution. My father worked hard to bring these opposing sides together through a pacifist approach. However, the hardliners in the Islamic Republic were against negotiation and tried to sabotage attempts to create a favorable agreement. Shortly after this failure, he understood that there was no hope for progress and decided to resign. The Islamic Republic is an ideological system that does not accept the rights of different ethnic groups, despite Iran being a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. Each ethnic group should have equal rights, which my parents believed in but were not accepted by the Islamic Republic. This is why the negotiations did not succeed.

There is some confusion about the leadership positions held by your father; some online sources state that he was Minister of Labor and Prime Minister… What is the truth?

At the beginning of the Islamic Republic, he was appointed Minister of Labor, but he was never Prime Minister. After the conflicts in Kurdistan, he was named State Minister to conduct negotiations between ethnic and religious groups and the government. Regarding the government’s refusal to implement the agreements made by my father and the Kurdish leaders, he decided to resign from this position.

Could you provide more details about Mr. Dariush Forouhar’s relationship with former Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh?

My father greatly admired Mohammad Mossadegh. He was very young when Mossadegh was Prime Minister, only 22 years old. By the time he was about 24, he was involved in the coup against Mossadegh, who was captured and arrested. During Mossadegh’s detention, my parents wrote letters to him and received letters in return, confirming their support. Although my father was young, he met Mossadegh many times and was well-acquainted with him. They even received a congratulatory letter from Mossadegh when my parents got married, which was very warm and meaningful. They had a close relationship.

Was the fact that your parents fought for human rights and freedoms in Iran the main reason they were oppressed and murdered?

Yes, their political activity focused on the human rights situation in Iran. They published bulletins addressing what was happening in Iran and sent packages to some Iranian exiles. They also gave many interviews, actively advocating for human rights and exposing the dire situation regarding the lack of freedom and democracy in Iran. This was the main reason they were oppressed and ultimately murdered in a brutal manner.

November 22, 1998, was a dreadful day for the Forouhar family. Two years before this tragic event, your parents decided to send your brother Arash into exile in Germany… Did your parents know that something terrible was going to happen to the whole family by taking this protective measure?

Yes, they were aware of the high risks they faced and were frightened and threatened during the last years of their lives. Regarding my brother, the Iranian secret service constantly pressured him and forced him to participate in police interrogations, hoping to put my parents in an even more horrific situation. No parent wants their children to suffer for their political beliefs and principles. My parents encouraged my brother and me to leave the country. Arash was forced to leave, and since he was not allowed to continue his studies at university, he decided to leave the country. My parents supported his decision, knowing he would be safer living outside Iran.

It is suspected that the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence ordered the assassination of your parents, and an investigation has been launched into the case… Have the criminals who committed the crime been discovered?

I would say it is certain that the order came from the Ministry of Intelligence. Although the investigation was not conducted properly, it revealed that 18 people were involved in the conspiracy to murder my parents, which occurred in their home. All 18 individuals were employees of this Ministry of Intelligence. Many of these agents confessed that they received the order to kill directly from the minister and admitted that political murders were something they had been involved in for decades. Commanded assassinations were a way to confront and physically eliminate opponents of the system. Of course, the entire case was not brought to justice, but many shocking truths have come to light about the dirty operations of the secret service.

After you and your brother Arash took the path of exile, you continued to fight for the cause of dissidents in Iran, whose numbers are constantly increasing… Can you tell us what the implications of this activity are?

Iranians living in exile have not forgotten what happened in their country, so everyone tries to address the situation to human rights organizations, highlighting the catastrophic conditions of people living in Iran. In recent years, protests in Iran have rapidly increased, with people bravely standing against the system to gain their rights. However, the system is brutal, and the brutality my family experienced was horrific. This brutality is the only pillar supporting this regime’s power. It is heartbreaking to see people being arrested or killed while they continue to fight, unfortunately without the strength to push back against the system. This is a dramatic situation because each of us who believes in democracy tries to do something to help those fighting against the system in Iran.

I found out that you have developed an impressive career in the artistic and intellectual field in Germany, becoming a highly regarded name… Could you tell us some details about your life and career in Germany?

I left Iran in 1991 and have lived in Germany for more than half of my life. I started as an art student, graduated, and began working as an artist, holding exhibitions while also continuing my political activism in German society. I am happy to say that I have been heard in many circles, which is encouraging. I am now a professor of art at an art academy in Munich, and I also pursue my own artistic career. This is my standing here in Germany. I have tried to keep in touch with the art scene in Iran, but it is very difficult. They accuse me of blasphemy regarding my artistic work, and there are restrictions on when I can show my artwork. The system in Iran has some very controversial operating maneuvers, allowing you to take a few steps forward and then pushing you back. I am always waiting for their approval, and that is the only way I can hold an exhibition.

 Are you not allowed to return to your country?

Yes, I am. Every year, when I commemorate my parents’ deaths, I go to Iran and try to organize a gathering at our home. However, many times it has been forbidden, though sometimes we can hold it. This is how we keep my parents’ memory alive and refuse to resign. I take the risk of returning to my country, even though they keep my passport and issue warnings that I am not allowed to leave. Additionally, I have to participate in various interrogations and answer numerous questions, which is exhausting, but I believe it is worth it as long as I can maintain contact with my country.

Has it ever happened that your name has been associated with that of your parents, despite your hard work to build a career on your own?

Yes, of course, it has happened, especially among Iranians who know and admire my parents. I am part of this family, and my name is often remembered or closely connected to their memory, which I find beautiful. However, I am an artist, not a politician like my parents chose to be. Sometimes I have to explain the differences, but through me and my brother, my parents will always be remembered.

Do you think that one day, in the near or distant future, the justice for which your parents fought and sacrificed will be restored in Iran?

I hope so. My hope is that one day my country will become democratic, bringing justice for all those who have fought for freedom and rights in Iran and have been killed in prison. I want to keep this hope alive, even though it is difficult at times. I will hold onto it in memory of my parents and many beautiful souls who have fought for human rights. They will remain in our minds, standing for this hope.

Interview conducted trough whatsapp:

---