Money, power, exile: Inside an Iranian exile’s war on regime-linked wealth in Canada

Mira Nassiri's journey from a teenage blogger in Iran to an international activist highlights the enduring struggle for freedom of expression against a repressive regime. Writing under the pseudonym Sarah Shams, Nassiri used the nascent online space to voice dissent, challenging the very legitimacy of the Islamic Republic's political processes. Her early conviction that Iran's system was beyond reform, and that elections were merely a facade, reflects a deep-seated disillusionment that resonates with many inside and outside the country.

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I was 15 when I started blogging with a fake name, Sarah Shams. Sarah was my aunt’s name, and Shams was an Arab lady who sang on television when I was starting my blog. I saw her name, and I said ‘Shams.’

Nassiri's decision to blog under a pseudonym was a necessity in a climate where political discussion was heavily monitored. Yet, even with the veil of anonymity, her words carried weight, attracting attention from within the system, including from those claiming affiliation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. This underscores the pervasive reach of state surveillance and the risks inherent in challenging the status quo, even from afar.

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I did not vote. I was against the election. I was against the whole establishment of the Islamic regime from the beginning. I’ve never voted, and I always advertised against it.

Her continued activism, extending to investigations and legal battles targeting regime-linked wealth abroad, demonstrates a commitment to holding the Iranian government accountable. This shift from online commentary to real-world action signifies a strategic evolution in her fight against the regime. The Jerusalem Post, by featuring her story, provides a platform for voices critical of the Iranian government, framing her work as a significant effort to expose and dismantle the financial underpinnings of the regime.

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I tried to let people know that no matter how many elections you contribute to, the Islamic regime system is not going to change. And the new president will be the new puppet of the Islamic regime.

From an Israeli perspective, Nassiri's story is particularly compelling. It illustrates the internal opposition to the Iranian regime and the lengths to which individuals will go to fight for their beliefs. Her presence in Israel and her willingness to speak openly about her experiences offer a valuable counter-narrative to the official pronouncements from Tehran, emphasizing the internal dissent and the international dimension of the struggle against the Islamic Republic.

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In the beginning, when I was 15, among them there were only three political bloggers. One was me.