At the age of 16, I came to realize that my life was not entirely within my control to plan. Born into a Baha’i family in Iran, this fact alone made us targets. Under the Islamic Republic, Baha’is, the largest non-Muslim minority in Iran, faced severe discrimination. For 47 years, we have been banned from universities and many jobs. We cannot even bury our dead peacefully. Surveillance and detention are common experiences for us because of our belief in the unity of humanity. Since 1979, the government has executed or killed hundreds of Baha’is.
As a child, I witnessed the hardships faced by adults in my community who lost their livelihoods and freedom. At 11, I was expelled from sixth grade in a horrific way. School officials incited other students to harm me. Eventually, my family arranged for a smuggler to help me cross into Pakistan. I share this story because the situation is still prevalent. Human rights groups report dozens of recent detentions this year alone. The regime uses Baha’is as scapegoats, especially during increased tensions with the U.S. and Israel. A new generation is enduring what past generations have lived through. I understand this pattern because I’ve lived it.
What does persecution feel like from the inside? It means seeing your parents unable to protect you. It means realizing that your faith is a public liability. It also means leaving behind your country, language, and community with nothing. Yet, some things were harder to take from me. My Baha’i faith, centered on service and unity, became my guiding principles as I built a new life in the U.S.
I arrived in California as a refugee and attended the University of California-Davis. Despite lacking a network or capital, I was determined to have an impact. In the Bay Area, I found a culture that valued my potential rather than my origins. This environment helped me and my brother co-found AutoWeb, one of the first online car marketplaces, which went public in 1999. I’ve since founded other companies and currently lead One Planet Group as CEO.
I am grateful for the opportunities in America. I was accepted when my own country rejected me. In return, I’ve contributed to this economy by building businesses and creating jobs. This is not charity paid back, but a mutual promise kept.
However, Iran’s threat remains. The regime doesn’t build or plan for the future; it stays in power by creating crises, like supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. These actions reflect its ideological drive rather than pragmatic decisions. A regime like this cannot become a reliable negotiating partner.
Until the world supports the Iranian people instead of prioritizing profit, the regime will continue its oppressive rule. I think of the young people executed daily in Iran and the detained Baha’is. I remember my own teenage years and fear the world might look away again.
I lack a solution to Iran’s political challenges. However, I understand the pain of being ignored by the world while living under a repressive regime. I was fortunate to find a country that welcomed me. I do not advocate for war, but I seek freedom for Iranians.
Payam Zamani is the founder and CEO of One Planet Group and the author of “Crossing the Desert.”
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