Mehsa Mehdili: For the Iranian Regime, the Hijab Is More of a Political Issue Than a Religious One

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, June 11, 2024

Mehsa Mehdili

The Iranian government continues to aggressively implement its new "Noor Project," aimed at tightening control over women's clothing, even as the country approaches elections—a time when the political atmosphere usually softens.

In an interview with Voice of America, political analyst Mehsa Mehdili emphasizes that the issue of mandatory hijab has always been more of a political matter than a religious one for the Islamic Republic. According to her, the authorities, fearing the growing resistance against compulsory hijab in society, are no longer willing to show any leniency.

Mehsa Mehdili: Only Activists in Iranian Azerbaijan Willing to Pay the Price Should Decide on Street Protests

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, September 13, 2023

Mehsa Mehdili

Political analyst Mehsa Mehdili discussed the conditions and methods of the activities of national movement forces in Iranian Azerbaijan as well as abroad in an interview with Voice of America.

She highlighted that while there are broad opportunities for activity outside the country, national activists have not been particularly successful in utilizing these areas.

In recent weeks, calls for protests over Lake Urmia in Iranian Azerbaijan by some political organizations operating abroad have led to serious disputes among forces belonging to the national movement.

Mehsa Mehdili: Steps Taken in the Name of the National Movement Must Be Thoughtful and Principled

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, July 18, 2023

Mehsa Mehdili

Political analyst and national activist Mehsa Mehdili states in an interview with Voice of America that the situation created by the protests that began in Iran in September 2022 has "added new values and new slogans to the Azerbaijan National Movement, but the core principles of the movement have not changed."

After the widespread anti-government protests in Iran in September 2022, significant changes and even transformations in the activities and relationships of political currents within the Iranian opposition have been observed.

However, Mehsa Mehdili believes that while the Azerbaijan National Movement has adopted some new slogans, it continues to follow its main political line without changing its principles.

Mehsa Mehdili: The Drying Up of Lake Urmia is a Severe Psychological Blow to the Local Population

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, September 30, 2022

Mehsa Mehdili

Political analyst Mehsa Mehdili, in an interview with Voice of America, states that the drying up of Lake Urmia is not only a threat to the environment, economy, and people's lives but also a significant psychological blow to the local population.

Mehsa Mehdili: Inflation in Iran is Felt Deeply in the Azerbaijan Provinces

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, May 31, 2022

Mehsa Mehdili

The dramatic rise in prices caused by eliminating subsidies for essential goods and the official exchange rate of 4,200 tomans to the dollar has led to widespread dissatisfaction in Iran. The Iranian government calls these changes "economic surgery."

In an interview with Voice of America, political analyst Mehsa Mehdili states that the sharp increase in inflation is felt deeply in Iranian Azerbaijan.

According to her, the middle and lower classes in Iran, who have been facing economic crises for years, are now unable to meet even their basic needs, such as food.

Mehsa Mehdili: If Iran Continues This Policy, It Will Isolate Itself in the Region

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, October 4, 2021

Mehsa Mehdili

Political analyst Mehsa Mehdili discussed her recently published book "44 Days of the Karabakh War: The South Azerbaijan Perspective" in an interview with Voice of America.

Mehdili explains that she wrote the book to document the events that occurred in Iranian Azerbaijan during the Karabakh War in September and October of the previous year.

Mehsa Mehdili: Our People Want Freedom and Justice, and Believe They Will Achieve It with Their Own Power

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 11, 2021

Mehsa Mehdili

In an interview with Voice of America, political analyst Mehsa Mehdili discussed the recent Turkish-Arab solidarity that has been a topic in Iran’s political scene, as well as the slogan "freedom, justice, national government" heard in the streets of Tabriz.

Mahsa Mehdili: Iranian Society Has Learned from the Past and Knows Elections Are a Game

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, June 09, 2021

Mehsa Mehdili

Presidential and City Council elections in Iran will be held on June 18. Political commentator Mahsa Mehdili said in an interview with Voice of America that, "Until now, the nations living in Iran went to the polls with some hope for change. But now, the majority of society has come to the conclusion that elections are just a game to protect this dictatorial system."

Mahsa Mehdili: Families Choosing Turkish Names for Their Children in Iran Face a Long Struggle

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, February 17, 2021

Mehsa Mehdili

In Iranian Azerbaijan and Tehran, some families enter into a long struggle that can last months or even years to obtain an identification card for their children with Turkish names they have chosen.

Political commentator Mahsa Mehdili, in an interview with Voice of America, says, "I think this movement will grow even more, because it is a just struggle and our society appreciates it. Moreover, Turkish names are truly viewed as beautiful, elegant, and classy names in society."

"Iran's Policy on Karabakh Strengthens Turkish Identity and Patriotism in South Azerbaijan"

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, October 21, 2020

Mehsa Mehdili

In an interview with Voice of America, Mahsa Mehdili says that the Islamic Republic of Iran's policy regarding Karabakh is leading to a strengthening of both national patriotism and national identity awareness in Iranian Azerbaijan.

Since September 29, support rallies for Karabakh have been held in Iranian Azerbaijan and other regions where Turks live. These protests include slogans against Iran’s support for Armenia, with the Islamic Republic "sponsoring Armenia."

Mahsa Mehdili: In Iran, the Government Assigns Men the Mission of "Honor Guardianship"

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, June 6, 2020

Mehsa Mehdili

According to Mahsa Mehdili, some men in Iran attempt to fulfill the mission of "honor guardianship" imposed by the government and society through violence.

In an interview with Voice of America, the political analyst evaluates the honor killing that occurred in the Talysh region of Iranian Azerbaijan. She says that women have always been targeted in Iranian society.

Mahsa Mehdili: Provincial Officials Are Also Tehran’s Servants, They Do Not Value People's Lives

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, March 12, 2020

Mehsa Mehdili

Mahsa Mehdili states that Iran does not have sufficient resources to combat the threat of the coronavirus. Speaking to Voice of America, the political analyst says that the Islamic Republic does not manage even its limited resources fairly or effectively.

Mahsa Mehdili: Students Are Once Again at the Forefront of Protests in Iran

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, January 18, 2020

Mehsa Mehdili

Mahsa Mehdili emphasizes the significance of Iranian universities once again becoming the center of anti-government protests.

Speaking to Voice of America, the political analyst assessed the widespread protests across various cities in Iran, sparked by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane.

"The Sentence Against Abbas Lisani Is a Sentence Against the Entire Movement"

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, November 7, 2019

Mehsa Mehdili

Mahsa Mehdili considers the 15-year prison sentence and two-year exile given to Abbas Lisani, one of the leaders of the national movement in Iranian Azerbaijan, as a verdict against the entire movement and all national activists.

Speaking to Voice of America, the political analyst stated, "Seventeen years for a cultural activist and for our movement is a very serious sanction. It is a very harsh punishment. We all must stand against this. We should not see this as just a sentence against Abbas Bey but as a verdict issued against our entire national movement and all our activists."

Mahsa Mehdili: We Have Failed to Defend Our Political Prisoners

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 13, 2019

Mehsa Mehdili

Political activist Mahsa Mehdili discussed with Voice of America the increasing repression against Turkish activists in Southern Azerbaijan and Tehran in recent times. Mehdili emphasized that the support given to political prisoners by the forces associated with the national movement has been insufficient both from a humanitarian perspective and in terms of its effectiveness for common political goals.

Mehsa Mehdili: The May Uprising Showed Us Who Stands With Us and Who Stands Against Us

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, May 21, 2019

Mehsa Mehdili

Mehsa Mehdili states, “After the May 2006 protests, we understood how people in Iran and even around the world perceive the South Azerbaijan National Movement and, in general, the rights of Turks in Iran.”

Speaking to Voice of America, the Turkish activist reflected on the essence of the May 2006 uprising in Iranian Azerbaijan and its impact on the current political stance of forces associated with the national movement.

Mehsa Mehdili: We Are All Abbas Lisani!

 Dilshad Aliyarli - Voice of America, February 02, 2019

Prominent Southern Azerbaijani activist Abbas Lisani was arrested after attending a court session on January 15 in Tabriz. It has been reported that the national activist has been on a hunger strike and his health condition is not good. Several observers have expressed concerns that his arrest could lead to an increase in the persecution of Southern Azerbaijani activists and potentially trigger a wave of arrests. Southern Azerbaijani human rights defender Mehsa Mehdili discussed Abbas Lisani’s arrest and situation in an interview on Voice of America’s "America Review" program.

Mahsa Mehdili: Zahra Navidpour Started a New Path

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, January 21, 2019

Zahra Navidpour (1990 - 2019) 

"Despite the restrictive environment she lived in and the conditions created by the Iranian regime, Zahra Navidpour did not remain silent in the face of the injustice she faced. Even at the cost of her own life, she spoke out about the assault," women's rights activist Mehsa Mehdili says in an interview with Voice of America.

Mehsa Mehdili: Turkish Publishers in Iran Are Subject to Systematic Pressure and Attacks

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, November 01, 2018

Mehsa Mehdili

Recently, the ban on the Kirpi book series published in Turkish for children at the Tabriz Book Fair has sparked widespread reactions in local newspapers and on social media.

In an interview with Voice of America, Southern Azerbaijani activist Mehsa Mehdili provides information about the incident and evaluates the pressure placed on Turkish publishers in Iran.

"Babak Castle, stadiums, or social media, all channels must be used"

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 02, 2018

Mehsa Mehdili

In an interview with Voice of America, Mehsa Mehdili explains the differences between the Babak Castle march in Iranian Azerbaijan and other protest platforms used by Turkish activists.

Mehsa Mehdili, a political activist living in exile in Turkey, says that the Babak march, especially in terms of being a platform for dialogue and thought and also becoming a tradition, distinguishes it from other forms of protest.