On June 18, 2025, Seyed Mohammad Marandi remains a well-known name in Iran and beyond. He is a professor, writer, and political analyst. His life is full of interesting events. This article tells his complete story in simple words. It covers his early life, education, career, and more. Let’s dive into his journey.
Early Life and Family
Seyed Mohammad Marandi was born on May 14, 1966. His birthplace was Richmond, Virginia, in the United States. His father, Dr. Alireza Marandi, was an important man. Alireza was a doctor and served as Iran’s Minister of Health. He was also a Member of Parliament. Alireza is known as the personal doctor of Iran’s leader, Ali Khamenei. Mohammad’s family lived in the U.S. for many years. They moved to Dayton, Ohio, when Mohammad was six. He grew up in a wealthy neighborhood. As a child, he loved American football. He was a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys team. Mohammad felt more American than Iranian during his early years.
Life in the U.S. was not always easy. Mohammad faced racism in Dayton. People treated him differently because of his foreign name and religion. He was not considered white in his neighborhood. Still, he made good friends. His family’s life changed when the Shah’s regime in Iran ended in 1979. The Shah was a ruler Mohammad’s father opposed. Alireza had been in prison for criticizing the Shah. After the Shah was overthrown, the family felt safe to return. When Mohammad was 13, they moved back to Iran.
Life in Iran and War Experience
Moving to Iran was hard for Mohammad. He knew very little Farsi, Iran’s main language. This made school difficult. At first, he studied at an international school. But soon, all international schools closed. He had to join an Iranian school. The education in Iran was tougher than in the U.S. Mohammad was behind his classmates. Learning Farsi was a big challenge. Still, he worked hard to adjust.
When Mohammad was 16, the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) was ongoing. He volunteered to fight in the war. This was a brave decision. The war was dangerous. Mohammad faced many hardships. He was injured four times. Two of these injuries came from chemical weapons attacks. He believes the U.S. gave these weapons to Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein. Surviving the war shaped his views. He became critical of U.S. foreign policy.
Seyed Mohammad Marandi Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Religion , Wife, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Seyed Mohammad Marandi |
| Date of Birth | May 14, 1966 |
| Place of Birth | Richmond, Virginia, United States |
| Family Background | Father: Dr. Alireza Marandi, doctor and former Iran's Minister of Health |
| Early Life | Grew up in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Faced racism due to his foreign name and religion. Loved American football (Dallas Cowboys fan). Moved to Iran at age 13 in 1979 after the Shah's regime ended |
| Life in Iran | Struggled with Farsi and adjusting to Iranian schools. International schools closed, making education harder |
| War Experience | Volunteered in Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) at age 16. Injured four times, including twice by chemical weapons. Critical of U.S. role in the war |
| Education | Undergraduate degree from University of Tehran. PhD from Birmingham University, UK, on Lord Byron and Orientalism. Thesis titled "Lord Byron, his critics and Orientalism" |
| Academic Career | Professor of English Literature and Orientalism at University of Tehran. Founded Institute for North American and European Studies. Former head of North American Studies program |
| Political Analyst Role | Appears on CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, RT. Defends Iran's government. Criticizes U.S. and Israel. Advised Iran's nuclear negotiating team under Presidents Rouhani and Raisi |
| Notable Incident | Survived attack on Iranian TV building on June 14, 2025, during an interview with Piers Morgan. Believes Israel was involved |
| Books and Writings | Wrote Byron and Orientalism (2007), The Intellectuals and The Masses (2013), The Khamenei Doctrine (2018). Criticizes Western media portrayals of Iran |
| Personal Life | Muslim. Limited information on family; possible son mentioned but unclear. Proud of Iran's culture and history |
| Views and Beliefs | Supports Iran's government and "Axis of Resistance" (e.g., Hezbollah). Critical of U.S. and Western media for misrepresenting Iran |
| Controversies | Criticized for supporting Iran's government. In 2022, made controversial statement about Salman Rushdie. In 2024, accused of breaking university rules by Abdulreza Seif. Removed as Deputy of International Affairs at University of Tehran |
| Social Media Presence | Active on X (@s_m_marandi). Posts about Iran, Palestine, and global politics |
| Legacy | Known as a scholar, war veteran, and defender of Iran. Challenges Western views on Iran. Inspires many through his courage and work |
Education and Academic Journey
After the war, Mohammad focused on his studies. He joined the University of Tehran. There, he earned his undergraduate degree. He was a bright student. He wanted to learn more. So, he went to the United Kingdom for higher studies. He studied at Birmingham University. His PhD thesis was about Lord Byron, a famous poet. The thesis was called “Lord Byron, his critics and Orientalism.” It responded to a book by Edward Said called *Orientalism*. Said’s book talks about how the West views the East unfairly. Mohammad’s work showed his deep thinking about culture and literature.
Back in Iran, Mohammad joined the University of Tehran as a professor. He teaches English Literature and Orientalism. Orientalism is the study of how the West sees Eastern cultures. He also founded the Institute for North American and European Studies at the university. For some time, he was the head of the North American Studies program. His work focuses on how the U.S. portrays Iran in books, films, and media. He believes these stories often show Iran in a bad light.
Career as a Political Analyst
Mohammad is not just a teacher. He is also a political analyst. He appears on TV channels like CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, and RT. He speaks fluent English, which makes him a strong voice for Iran. He talks about Iran’s politics and its relations with other countries. Many people in Iran respect him. He defends Iran’s government and its policies. He often criticizes the West, especially the U.S. and Israel. He believes they treat Iran unfairly.
In 2010, Mohammad became well-known for speaking to Western media. He appeared on shows with famous hosts like Christiane Amanpour and Fareed Zakaria. He stays calm and clear during debates. Some call him a defender of Iran’s Islamic Republic. Others criticize him for supporting the government. In 2022, after an attack on writer Salman Rushdie, Mohammad made a strong statement. He said he would not feel sorry for Rushdie because of his views on Islam. This comment caused controversy.
Mohammad also advised Iran’s nuclear negotiating team. He worked under two presidents, Hassan Rouhani and Ebrahim Raisi. He believes Iran should be strong in talks with other countries. In 2025, he survived a dangerous event. On June 14, 2025, an attack targeted an Iranian TV building in Tehran. Mohammad was there for an interview with Piers Morgan. Some reports say Israel was behind the attack. Mohammad was unharmed. He said, “The truth is only dangerous to those who commit evil.” This showed his fearless nature.
Books and Writings
Mohammad has written many books and articles. His writings focus on literature, culture, and politics. Some of his books include *Byron and Orientalism* (2007), *The Intellectuals and The Masses* (2013), and *The Khamenei Doctrine* (2018, with Raffaele Mauriello). He also wrote about how the U.S. media covers Iran. He believes Western media often lies about Iran. His articles appear in journals like *The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences*. His work is read by students and scholars worldwide.
In his writings, Mohammad criticizes books like *Reading Lolita in Tehran* by Azar Nafisi. He says such books show Iran in a bad way. He also dislikes films like *300* and *Persepolis*. He believes they make Iran look backward. His work encourages people to see Iran differently.
Personal Life and Views
Little is known about Mohammad’s personal life. It is unclear if he is married or has children. Some reports mention a son, but there are no clear details. Mohammad is a Muslim. His faith shapes his views. He is proud of Iran’s culture and history. He often speaks about Iran’s strength. He supports groups like Hezbollah and Iran’s allies in the Middle East. He calls them the “Axis of Resistance.”
Mohammad’s views are strong. He believes the West tries to control Iran. He says the U.S. and Israel want to weaken Iran. He also thinks Western media spreads lies. Some people admire his courage. Others call him a propagandist. In 2024, a critic named Abdulreza Seif accused Mohammad of breaking university rules. Seif also asked about Mohammad’s son’s business in Russia. Mohammad did not respond to these claims.
Challenges and Controversies
Mohammad’s life has not been easy. His role at the University of Tehran faced problems. He was removed as Deputy of International Affairs. He said this was because he disagreed with how the university was run. He accused some leaders of selling degrees. This made him unpopular with some colleagues.
His outspoken nature brings risks. The 2025 attack on the TV building shows the dangers he faces. Yet, he continues to speak boldly. He uses social media, like X, to share his views. His account, @s_m_marandi, has many followers. He posts about Iran, Palestine, and global politics.
Legacy and Impact
Seyed Mohammad Marandi is a unique figure. He is a scholar, a war veteran, and a voice for Iran. His life connects the U.S. and Iran. He understands both cultures deeply. His work challenges how the world sees Iran. He wants people to know the truth about his country.
At 59, Mohammad remains active. He teaches, writes, and speaks. His story inspires many in Iran. He shows that one person can make a difference. Despite dangers and criticism, he stays strong. His journey is a lesson in courage and belief.
Conclusion
Seyed Mohammad Marandi’s life is full of struggles and achievements. From a child in the U.S. to a professor in Iran, he has seen much. His work in education and politics makes him important. He fights for Iran’s voice to be heard. His story is not over. As he continues his work, the world watches. Mohammad’s life proves that truth and bravery matter.