Mehdi Nasiri (born 1963 in Damghan, Iran) is an Iranian journalist, author, and former editor-in-chief of the hardline newspaper Kayhan, who later became one of the most prominent intellectual critics of the Islamic Republic. His break with the regime began in the 1990s while editing Sobh, when he witnessed systemic corruption and suppression of dissent. Over the years, particularly after the 2019 nationwide protests, Nasiri became increasingly outspoken about issues such as government corruption, political repression, and compulsory hijab laws. In 2023, he obtained a Canadian visa through the consulate in Istanbul and traveled to Canada in 2025, where he now resides. From abroad, Nasiri continues to advocate for democratic reform and pluralism in Iran and has publicly expressed support for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, asserting that the monarchist movement represents a major current within Iran’s evolving opposition landscape.
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