Farzaneh Family Center for Iranian and Persian Gulf Studies

📚📚Here are our top Iran essentials as recommended by our Iranian studies faculty.

These are the best books to start your journey into Iranian and Persian studies! We hope you take some time to explore these amazing works of literature!📖💚

Congratulations to Professor Vahid Abedini who co-translated 𝘐𝘳𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘺 by Vali Nasr into Persian! Out now, this marks the first Persian edition of this important work, published by Roozaneh Publications in Tehran.

𝘐𝘳𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘺 explores the roots of Iran’s foreign policy and its enduring emphasis on independence and sovereignty. This timely translation beings these insights to a wider audience, shedding light on the historical and geopolitical forces shaping Iran today.

🎤 New episode of the OU Iranian Studies podcast just dropped!

Afshin Marashi in conversation with James Gustafson on his new book,𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘯, the field of environmental history, and modern Iran.

🎧 Listen at the link in bio or here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/14BbwBYS5y6BldDQbIVL4B?si=8e99f65383be4cfc

A few snapshots from visit to OU last week ✨

📖 Just published! Read Professor Marashi’s op-ed in “How was Thomas Jefferson influenced by Iran?”

🔗 link.ou.edu/4sNtEtn

Keep an eye out for our exciting courses from our Iranian studies faculty coming up next semester📚📖

We’re pleased to announce the Jafar and Shokoh Farzaneh prize for best article on Persian literature

For scholars and faculty📚

🗓 May 15, 2026

🥇First place winners will receive $3,000. Winners will be announced in June 2026.

The Iranian Studies Best Undergraduate Paper Prize deadline is approaching‼️

🗓️ submission deadline is May 7th
💵$500 dollar prize
Submissions open to anyone with a paper on culture, history, politics and language of the Persian-speaking world!

Join us April 2–3 for the Puterbaugh Festival at the University of Oklahoma, featuring writer, performance poet, and acclaimed Rumi translator Haleh Liza Gafori.

A New York City–born artist of Iranian descent, Gafori is known for her translations of Rumi - 𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘥 (2022) and 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 (2025) - as well as her work as a performer and educator bringing Persian poetry to life.

The festival will feature a Persian classical music workshop, book signings, a reception, and a special conversation with our very own Dr. Mina Raminsabet:

✨ Featured Conversation:
𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝘇𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗶 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁:

📅 Friday, April 3
🕥 10:30–11:45 a.m.
📍 Holmberg Hall (560 Parrington Oval, Norman)

The festival will culminate on April 3 with “An Evening of Rumi’s Poetry and Persian Classical Music,” blending recitation, song, and live performance.

All events are free and open to the public. Full schedule available via link in bio.

This Nowruz, our hearts are heavy. We wish for better days ahead for everyone who has endured so much. In this season of renewal and rebirth as nature finds new life, we hope that peace and light will prevail.