Rouzbeh Fouladi

Photographer

Daily Life in Iran

Clients: ZUMA PRESS

An Iranian veiled woman buys fr...39;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

An Iranian veiled woman buys fruits at the Shapour Bazaar (Market) in southern Tehran, Iran, on January 29, 2023. Since mid-September, Iran has been shaken by antigovernment protests which were ignited by the death of a woman who was detained by the country's morality police. The demonstrations rapidly escalated into calls for an end to more than four decades of the country's clerical rule. Tehran Iran

An Iranian couple walks at Shap...39;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

An Iranian couple walks at Shapour district in southern Tehran, Iran, on January 29, 2023. Since mid-September, Iran has been shaken by antigovernment protests which were ignited by the death of a woman who was detained by the country's morality police. The demonstrations rapidly escalated into calls for an end to more than four decades of the country's clerical rule. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young woman without ...39;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young woman without covering her mandatory Islamic headscarf poses at past Azadi (Freedom) Tower in western Tehran, Iran, on January 29, 2023. Since mid-September, Iran has been shaken by antigovernment protests which were ignited by the death of a woman who was detained by the country's morality police. The demonstrations rapidly escalated into calls for an end to more than four decades of the country's clerical rule. Tehran Iran

An Iranian man walks past Azadi...39;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

An Iranian man walks past Azadi (Freedom) Tower in western Tehran, Iran, on January 29, 2023. Since mid-September, Iran has been shaken by antigovernment protests which were ignited by the death of a woman who was detained by the country's morality police. The demonstrations rapidly escalated into calls for an end to more than four decades of the country's clerical rule. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian young women walk al...h making ends meet. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian young women walk along Enghelab (Revolution) street in downtown Tehran. A year after the death of Mahsa Amini sparked unrest across Iran, the issue of the hijab remains a sore spot. but a crippling economic crisis has left many preoccupied with making ends meet. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian young women pose at...h making ends meet. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian young women pose at Enghelab (Revolution) Street in downtown Tehran. A year after the death of Mahsa Amini sparked unrest across Iran, the issue of the hijab remains a sore spot. but a crippling economic crisis has left many preoccupied with making ends meet. Tehran Iran

A view of Azadi (Freedom) Tower...39;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

A view of Azadi (Freedom) Tower in western Tehran, Iran, on January 29, 2023. Since mid-September, Iran has been shaken by antigovernment protests which were ignited by the death of a woman who was detained by the country's morality police. The demonstrations rapidly escalated into calls for an end to more than four decades of the country's clerical rule. Tehran Iran

A group of young Iranian teenag... negotiations fail. Tehran Iran

A group of young Iranian teenage girls without covering their mandatory Islamic headscarves walks past the wall of the former US embassy amid the snow in Tehran, Iran, on February 09, 2023. The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog underscored the urgency of resuscitating diplomatic efforts to limit Iran's nuclear program, saying the situation could quickly worsen if negotiations fail. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young woman without ...s in parts of Iran. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young woman without covering her mandatory Islamic headscarf and a man walk in a park in the snowfall in a park in downtown Tehran, Iran, February 12, 2023. The rare snowfall and cold weather that had led to a shortage of natural gas for households and factories have also forced the government to close schools, government offices, and private businesses in parts of Iran. Tehran Iran

An Iranian veiled woman in a bl...ssembly of Experts. Tehran Iran

An Iranian veiled woman in a black chador walks past a mural painting along the wall of the former US embassy ahead of the upcoming elections, in Tehran. Iranians on 01 March 2024 vote for new members of Iran's parliament, and for the Assembly of Experts, the body in charge of appointing Iran's Supreme Leader. Iran's supreme leader urged voters to come out in droves on March 1 and show the foes of the Islamic Republic a strong and fervent election process for parliament and the key Assembly of Experts. Tehran Iran

Iranians walk in downtown Tehran, Iran. Tehran IRAN

An Iranian young woman wearing ...ward its territory. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young woman wearing a face mask, without covering her mandatory Islamic headscarf, walks next to a wall painting of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) soldiers at Palestine Square in downtown Tehran. Israel on Sunday hailed its air defenses in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran, saying the systems thwarted 99% of the more than 300 drones and missiles launched toward its territory. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young couple walks n...ward its territory. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young couple walks next to a wall painting of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) soldiers at Palestine Square in downtown Tehran. Israel on Sunday hailed its air defenses in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran, saying the systems thwarted 99% of the more than 300 drones and missiles launched toward its territory. Tehran Iran

Young Iranian women walk during...a mosque in Tehran. Tehran Iran

Young Iranian women walk during the 35th Tehran International Book Fair at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran. Tehran Iran

Iranian youth visit the 35th Te...a mosque in Tehran. Tehran Iran

Iranian youth visit the 35th Tehran International Book Fair at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian women take a selfie...a mosque in Tehran. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian women take a selfie while visiting the 35th Tehran International Book Fair at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran. Tehran Iran

An Iranian woman crosses a stre...ld on 28 June 2024. Tehran Iran

An Iranian woman crosses a street in downtown Tehran. Iran's Guardian Council has approved six candidates to compete in the upcoming presidential election to succeed the late President Ebrahim Raisi. President Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash alongside seven other officials back in May. The presidential election is scheduled to be held on 28 June 2024. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian young women walk in...pervision of UNESCO. Rasht Iran

Two Iranian young women walk in Shahrdari Square in Rasht. Rasht City is also known as the City of Rain and is the most populous city in northern Iran. Rasht was a major transport and business center that connected Iran to Russia and the rest of Europe, and because of this was known as the Gate of Europe. In 2015, this city joined the network of creative cities of the world as a creative gastronomy city under the supervision of UNESCO. Rasht Iran

An Iranian barista serves coffe... of his presidency. Tehran Iran

An Iranian barista serves coffee at a cafe in downtown Tehran. Iranian citizens will cast their votes for a new President on June 28th, following the tragic passing of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash two years before the end of his presidency. Tehran Iran

A garbage collector carries a s... of his presidency. Tehran Iran

A garbage collector carries a sack of garbage in downtown Tehran. Iranian citizens will cast their votes for a new President on June 28th, following the tragic passing of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash two years before the end of his presidency. Tehran Iran

An old man and a boy are going ... of his presidency. Tehran Iran

An old man and a boy are going down the escalator of the overpass in downtown Tehran. Iranian citizens will cast their votes for a new President on June 28th, following the tragic passing of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash two years before the end of his presidency. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian young men walk amid...n January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian young men walk amid the snow in Tehran, Iran, on January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young woman sits ins...n January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young woman sits inside a cafe on a cold snowy day in Tehran, Iran, on January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

A young Iranian couple walks in...n January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

A young Iranian couple walks in the snow while hugging each other in Tehran, Iran, on January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

An Iranian woman walks amid the...n January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

An Iranian woman walks amid the snow in Tehran, Iran, on January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

An Iranian teenage girl, withou...ight for survival. Bushehr Iran

An Iranian teenage girl, without covering her mandatory Islamic headscarf, petting her friend's dog in the seaport city of Bushehr, Bushehr province, southern Iran. Long after the Mahsa movement, walking unveiled has become almost normalized in many parts of Iran, despite the government’s continued efforts to enforce the dress code. Women move through the streets without hijabs, some wearing face masks to avoid identification by authorities. While the hijab remains a deeply political and symbolic issue, the reality on the ground has shifted—acts of defiance that once seemed radical have now blended into everyday life. Yet, as the struggle for personal freedoms persists, a worsening economic crisis has left many Iranians preoccupied with the fight for survival. Bushehr Iran

A group of Iranian female teena...he oppressive laws. Tehran Iran

A group of Iranian female teenagers spend their leisure time at a cafe in Darband district in northern Tehran, Iran, on December 09, 2022. Three months after the start of the protests following the Mahsa movement, the image of Tehran had completely changed. Many women were seen walking in the streets without the mandatory hijab, defying the strict laws despite the intense pressure and threats from the government. This visible act of resistance became a powerful symbol of the ongoing struggle for women's rights and personal freedoms in the country. Even though the government employed various measures to suppress these actions, including mass arrests and public threats, the determination of these women remained unwavering, and their movement continued to grow, spreading across the city. The streets of Tehran, once filled with women adhering to the strict dress code, now reflected a changing social climate, with many choosing to reclaim their autonomy and challenge the oppressive laws. Tehran Iran

An Iranian woman walks amid the...r fear could erase. Tehran Iran

An Iranian woman walks amid the snow without wearing her Islamic headscarf in Tehran, Iran, on January 11, 2023. In the aftermath of the Mahsa movement, the streets of Iran took on a new face. Women, once bound by strict dress codes, began reclaiming public spaces, walking unveiled despite the looming threats. Their silent defiance turned into a striking symbol of resistance—one that neither force nor fear could erase. Tehran Iran

Iranian musician Alin Joharchi ...ersonal expression. Tehran Iran

Iranian musician Alin Joharchi (L) performs at a cafe in downtown Tehran, Iran, on January 18, 2023. The event took place in an underground venue, away from government permits and surveillance, where women without hijabs sat freely among the audience—an act of quiet defiance in a space that had become a refuge for artistic and personal expression. Tehran Iran

An Iranian young woman enjoys o...mposed upon them. Babolsar Iran

An Iranian young woman enjoys on the Caspian Sea shore, north of Iran. Months after the protests ignited by the Mahsa movement, the spirit of resistance remains alive. Despite government crackdowns, arrests, and increasing pressure, women continue their defiance through everyday acts of civil disobedience. Walking unveiled in public has become more than just a personal choice—it is a quiet yet powerful form of protest, a symbol of their unwavering determination to reclaim their rights and challenge the restrictive laws imposed upon them. Babolsar Iran

An Iranian policeman monitors a... to make ends meet. Tehran Iran

An Iranian policeman monitors an area in downtown Tehran. A year after the death of Mahsa Amini ignited nationwide unrest, the mandatory hijab remains a deeply contested issue in Iran. While many women continue to defy the dress code in acts of civil disobedience, the government's harsh crackdowns and surveillance persist. However, alongside this ongoing struggle for personal freedoms, a worsening economic crisis has taken center stage. With inflation soaring and livelihoods under strain, many Iranians find themselves torn between fighting for their rights and the daily battle to make ends meet. Tehran Iran

An Iranian woman reacts during ... to make ends meet. Tehran Iran

An Iranian woman reacts during the Iranian singer Sohrab Pakzad concert at a Milad Tower in Tehran. more than A year after the death of Mahsa Amini ignited nationwide unrest, the mandatory hijab remains a deeply contested issue in Iran. While many women continue to defy the dress code in acts of civil disobedience, the government's harsh crackdowns and surveillance persist. However, alongside this ongoing struggle for personal freedoms, a worsening economic crisis has taken center stage. With inflation soaring and livelihoods under strain, many Iranians find themselves torn between fighting for their rights and the daily battle to make ends meet. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian young women without... to make ends meet. Tehran Iran

Two Iranian young women without covering their mandatory Islamic headscarf dance on the eve of Wednesday's traditional Fire feast, or Chaharshanbeh Soori, held annually on the last Wednesday eve before the Spring holiday of Nowruz, in Tehran. more than A year after the death of Mahsa Amini ignited nationwide unrest, the mandatory hijab remains a deeply contested issue in Iran. While many women continue to defy the dress code in acts of civil disobedience, the government's harsh crackdowns and surveillance persist. However, alongside this ongoing struggle for personal freedoms, a worsening economic crisis has taken center stage. With inflation soaring and livelihoods under strain, many Iranians find themselves torn between fighting for their rights and the daily battle to make ends meet. Tehran Iran

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Thumbnail of An Iranian veiled woman buys fru_039;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian couple walks at Shapo_039;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian young woman without c_039;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian man walks past Azadi _039;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Two Iranian young women walk alo_th making ends meet. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Two Iranian young women pose at _th making ends meet. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of A view of Azadi (Freedom) Tower _039;s clerical rule. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of A group of young Iranian teenage_f negotiations fail. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian young woman without c_es in parts of Iran. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian veiled woman in a bla_Assembly of Experts. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Iranians walk in downtown Tehran, Iran. Tehran IRAN

Thumbnail of An Iranian young woman wearing a_oward its territory. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian young couple walks ne_oward its territory. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Young Iranian women walk during _la mosque in Tehran. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Iranian youth visit the 35th Teh_la mosque in Tehran. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Two Iranian women take a selfie _la mosque in Tehran. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian woman crosses a stree_eld on 28 June 2024. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Two Iranian young women walk in _upervision of UNESCO. Rasht Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian barista serves coffee_d of his presidency. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of A garbage collector carries a sa_d of his presidency. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An old man and a boy are going d_d of his presidency. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Two Iranian young men walk amid _on January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian young woman sits insi_on January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of A young Iranian couple walks in _on January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian woman walks amid the _on January 11, 2023. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian teenage girl, without_fight for survival. Bushehr Iran

Thumbnail of A group of Iranian female teenag_the oppressive laws. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian woman walks amid the _or fear could erase. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Iranian musician Alin Joharchi (_personal expression. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian young woman enjoys on_imposed upon them. Babolsar Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian policeman monitors an_e to make ends meet. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of An Iranian woman reacts during t_e to make ends meet. Tehran Iran

Thumbnail of Two Iranian young women without _e to make ends meet. Tehran Iran

Public Project

Daily Life in Iran

Updated May 2025

This photo series captures the daily life in Iran, where the ordinary intertwines with the extraordinary. From bustling markets to quiet streets, from moments of joy to periods of hardship, these images reflect the resilience and complexity of life in a country marked by political and social challenges. The photos highlight the contrasts within Iranian society – the young and old, the modern and traditional, the public and private. It’s a glimpse into the stories of individuals navigating their lives amidst shifting realities.

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