Ardeshir Pashang

Ardeshir Pashang (, born December 22, 1979) is a Kurdish-Iranian Politician, Journalist and researcher of Middle Eastern affairs, focusing on Kurdish studies and Iranian issues. He incorporates a critical perspective in his analyses, addressing themes such as human rights, democracy, and political interactions in the region.

Pashang holds a bachelor's degree in political science and master’s and doctoral degrees in international relations. He began his professional career in journalism in the early 2000s and has since contributed to media and educational initiatives in Iran. He advocates for peace, human rights-based democracy, and constructive dialogue among civil societies of various countries. Through his work, Pashang emphasizes reducing unproductive ideological and extremist nationalist tensions, aiming to foster regional cooperation.

During the 2009 Iranian presidential election, Pashang’s involvement in political and student activism led to his arrest. He was detained for two weeks and transferred to Section 209 of Evin Prison, a facility known for holding political prisoners. In 2012, his admission to the doctoral program in International Relations at the University of Tehran was unlawfully revoked, prompting him to pursue his Ph.D. at the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, in Tehran. The family was actively involved in pivotal events, including the constitutional struggles of 1912, resistance against Reza Shah in 1931, support for Mohammad Mosaddegh’s government in 1953, and backing for Mullah Mustafa Barzani’s movement against the Ba’athist regime in Iraq from 1960 to 1975. Agha Enayat Javanroodi later documented his tumultuous experiences and those of his companions in a book written in both Kurdish and Persian, which stands as a valuable historical record of the family’s resistance against the injustices of the Pahlavi regime. Furthermore, "Jahan Ara Khanom," the sister of Agha Enayat Javanroodi, alongside her brother, is recognized as one of the prominent and pioneering poets and literary figures in the southern Kurdistan region.

Career Ardeshir Pashang began his journalism career at a young age with the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA). He later contributed to various Iranian media outlets, including Iran newspaper, Shargh, Taadol, Khabaronline, and IRNA. His work also appeared on international platforms such as Yahoo, Efe, La Vanguardia, Heraldo de Aragón, ABC, Universo Online, infobae, La República, Sputnik, Deutsche Welle, SWI swissinfo, VOA (Kurdish section), Atalayar, Nueva Prensa de Guayana, United World and Peace Mark (human rights activists in Iran).

Pashang holds a PhD in International Relations and is a senior researcher specializing in Middle East affairs and Kurdish studies. Currently, he serves as the Chief Editor of Faratab News Agency and works as a freelance journalist based in Tehran, focusing on regional political analysis and commentary. He also leads educational initiatives, including journalism and writing workshops, and is actively involved in academic discussions on Middle Eastern geopolitics, as evidenced by his recent participation in conferences such as the 'Middle East in the Midst of War and Peace' at the University of Kurdistan in 2025. Additionally, he delivered a speech at the Erbil Forum 2025 alongside prominent figures such as Nechirvan Barzani and Ahmad Naqibzadeh, Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, discussing the future of the Middle East."

Media appearances Over the past 15 years, Ardeshir Pashang has served as an expert on Middle Eastern affairs, Iran, and Kurdish issues, participating in various programs on international and regional television and radio networks. Notable among these media outlets are Al Jazeera, Rudaw, Kurdistan 24, Kurdistan TV, IRINN, Sahar Kurdi, Sahar Bosnia, Kurdsat, Zagros TV, Russia Today, Radio Iran, Radio Goftogoo, Gali Kurdistan, Eco Iran and Press TV.

Pashang has also appeared in the documentary Sarpatiha (2022). This documentary focuses on the role of Yarmohammad Khan Kermanshahi and other key figures, such as Abdolkarim Beyg, Vakil of Javanrud, in the Constitutional Revolution in Kermanshah. Pashang contributes as an expert, providing historical and analytical insights into the events, drawing on his expertise in Kurdish and Middle Eastern studies to contextualize the revolution’s significance in the region’s political history.

Professional activities

Faratab News Agency In 2014, Ardeshir Pashang founded the Faratab media outlet. This platform, established in collaboration with a group of independent writers and journalists, focuses on producing analytical and critical content. Since its inception, Faratab has published over 13,000 reports, opinion pieces, articles, and interviews. Additionally, more than 560 independent contributors have published their work exclusively on the platform. thumb

Faratabs's Monthly Magazine In 2019, Pashang published the first printed edition of Faratab, titled "Faratab Monthly," with a picture of Kurdish singer "Mazhar Khaleghi" on the first cover. Abbas Vali, Sadegh Zibakalam, Ghadir Nasri, Majid Saleh, and Nader Entesar were among the analysts of the first issue.

Journalism classes Beyond its media operations, Faratab has been active in journalism and writing education. It has organized 16 professional training courses in journalism, writing, and branding, each comprising beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. A total of 278 individuals has graduated from these programs, many of whom are now employed at prominent television, radio, and news agencies in Persian, Kurdish, and English languages. Ardeshir Pashang has been responsible for designing and teaching these courses. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Iraqi Figures and Families*, Sadegh Kharrazi, Ardeshir Pashang, et al., Tehran: Azam Publications, June 2013. Middle East, Central Asia, and Caucasus 2012*, Seyed Salman Safavi, Ardeshir Pashang, et al. (collection of articles from the International Peace Studies Center), ed. Seyed Salman Safavi et al., September 2013. Middle East, Central Asia, and Caucasus 2011*, Seyed Salman Safavi, Ardeshir Pashang, et al. (collection of articles from the International Peace Studies Center), Qom: Salman and Azadeh Publications, September 2012. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Iraqi Figures*, Sadegh Kharrazi, Ardeshir Pashang, et al., Tehran: Islamic Consultative Assembly Publishing Center, May 2011. Diplomacy: One Platform, Multiple Dreams: Persian Gulf 2010*, Seyed Salman Safavi, Ardeshir Pashang, et al. (collection of articles from the International Peace Studies Center), Qom: Salman and Azadeh Publications, December 2011. Political Middle East and Caucasus 2010*, Seyed Salman Safavi, Ardeshir Pashang, et al. (collection of articles from the International Peace Studies Center), Qom: Salman and Azadeh Publications, April 2011. Kermanshan*, Ardeshir Pashang (editor), Erbil (Iraq): Aras Publications, June 2009.

Selected publications

Filmography