A Pan-Iranist Declaration on Espionage, Erasure, and the Enduring Legacy of the Zand Dynasty
The Blinding of Kerman: A Cold Case in Persian Sovereignty
From Shiraz to Jiroft: The Stolen Treasure of Lotf Ali Khan
Eyes Taken, Truth Buried: The Zand Dynasty’s Unfinished Trial
Espionage and Erasure: Reza Shah’s Quiet Inheritance
Justice Beyond Sight: Reclaiming the Zand Legacy
Unmasking the Crime: From Kerman to Jiroft
The mass blinding of the people of Kerman by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar was not an act of spontaneous cruelty—it was a calculated punishment for loyalty. The city had sheltered Prince Lotf Ali Khan, the last sovereign of the Zand Dynasty, whose resistance symbolized a vision of Iran rooted in justice, dignity, and indigenous sovereignty. The brutality inflicted on Kerman was designed to extinguish that vision.
But the violence did not end with conquest. Qajari spies, embedded within the palace networks of Shiraz, informed the regime of the Zand dynasty’s treasure being moved—an act of desperation and preservation. That intelligence triggered a chain of events that would echo for generations. More than a century later, the landlord of Jiroft was assassinated by Bakhtiyari contract killers, allegedly over possession of the same treasure. The trail of espionage, betrayal, and bloodshed reveals a deeper truth: the treasure was never merely gold—it was symbolic capital, a legacy of resistance.
.jfif)
The Illusion of Transparency
In the absence of modern surveillance, espionage thrived. The Qajars and later the Pahlavis mastered the art of deception, creating illusions of transparency while manipulating public perception. Many Iranians, then and now, have been misled by curated narratives and state-controlled media. The tactics remain unchanged—only the tools have evolved. This cycle must be broken.
Connecting the Dots: A Cold Case of Cultural Theft
A Simorgh page from the Shahnameh, preserved in oral tradition, links the treasure to local memory.
Ahmad Shah Qajar’s emptied treasury was mysteriously replenished under Reza Shah.
Certain Bakhtiyari landlords experienced sudden prosperity, raising questions about hidden transfers of wealth.
Reza Shah Pahlavi, despite his nationalist rhetoric, indulged in the spoils more than any predecessor.
These threads form a tapestry of historical theft, ideological laundering, and elite complicity. The treasure of the Zand Dynasty was not lost—it was absorbed, repurposed, and concealed.
A Call for Parliamentary Action
We urge the Islamic Republic’s parliament to authorize a full investigation into counter-espionage operations and reopen the cold case surrounding the Zand treasure. This is not merely about restitution—it is about restoring historical truth and dismantling the machinery of deception. A more open parliamentary system, with legitimate political parties and transparent oversight, is essential to lifting sanctions and rebuilding public trust.
Environmental Justice and the Iranian Plateau
The Iranian Plateau stands on the brink of ecological collapse. As we confront the ruins of the future world, the Pan-Iranist movement pledges political support for global campaigns such as Stop Ecocide International. Cultural survival is inseparable from environmental stewardship.
The Zand Dynasty: A Survivor’s Legacy in Global Politics
In an era of global tension and diplomatic theater, the legacy of the Zand Dynasty offers a counter-model: principled sovereignty, ethical governance, and cultural resilience. The royal heritage of Iran—shaped by prehistoric continuity and Neanderthal ingenuity—remains a source of strategic insight and moral clarity.
Blindness as a Weapon of Tyranny
The Siege of Kerman was not the first time blindness was used as a tool of oppression. Reza Qoli Mirza Afshar, son of Nader Shah, was blinded by his own father—a tragic echo of dynastic cruelty. These acts, whether committed by Qajars or Afshars, constitute crimes against humanity. Under international law, mass blinding of civilians is classified as torture and cruel treatment, prohibited by the Geneva Conventions.
Art and Memory: Preserving the Pain
Historical analysis informs. Art immortalizes. The suffering of Kerman’s people, the loyalty of Zand defenders, and the sorrow of the blinded must be preserved not only in archives but in paintings, novels, and films. Let the world feel what history cannot fully explain.
A Survivor’s Proclamation
With solemn heart and unyielding resolve, I speak as the lone voice of a dynasty unjustly cast into darkness. The savage cruelty inflicted upon the noble city of Kerman by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar stands as an eternal stain upon history—a brutality beyond comprehension, a devastation wrought upon the innocent, and a merciless act that shattered the very fabric of humanity.
Let it be known that the Zand Dynasty, though driven from power, carried forth the virtues of justice and compassion. Yet, in the aftermath of conquest, Kerman suffered an unspeakable fate—the merciless slaughter of thousands, the blinding of its people to extinguish their future, and the utter ruin of a city that once flourished with dignity. Such atrocities shall never be forgotten, for their echoes reverberate through the ages, a stark reminder of unchecked ambition and cruelty.
To those who bear witness to history, I urge: let this be a lesson carved in stone. May future rulers forsake tyranny and embrace wisdom; may the wounds of Kerman be remembered so that such horrors shall never be repeated. The legacy of the Zand Dynasty shall endure, not in dominion, but in its undying commitment to justice, humanity, and the unwavering pursuit of truth.
Let history judge, and let justice prevail.