Meet Tehran’s "Most Wanted" Woman
Israeli journalist Itai Anghel travels to the Iran-Iraq border to interview Peyman Vian, Tehran’s most wanted woman and leader of the PJAK guerrilla force.
In a daring and rare journalistic feat, veteran war correspondent Itai Anghel traveled to a clandestine network of tunnels carved into the snowy peaks of the Iran-Iraq border. There, for the first time, an Israeli journalist met with Peyman Vian, the commander of the PJAK (Kurdistan Free Life Party) and one of the Iranian regime's most wanted figures.
The interview, aired on Channel 12’s Uvda, provides a glimpse into the organized armed resistance that has gained momentum during the current wave of protests in Iran.
PJAK is considered the most powerful guerrilla force operating against the Islamic Republic. Its fighters, many of whom are women, are preparing for the moment the regime falters.
In a headline-grabbing statement, Vian suggested that the freedom of the Iranian people may hinge on regional cooperation, including with Israel. "A free Iran may come from cooperation between Iranians and Israel," she told Anghel.
Anghel’s journey through the treacherous mountain passes included meetings with various dissidents and fighters:
One activist recounted his harrowing experience being tortured by the Revolutionary Guard following the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests. "They filmed the beatings... Where can I find justice for this torture?" he asked.
Female commanders, such as Robar and Govand, described their readiness to strike. "When the time comes, we will attack the bases and centers of the regime. We will return even to Tehran itself," Robar declared. Govand added a somber note on the cost of freedom: "For some of us to live, some of us must die."
As the leader of PJAK, Vian represents a significant threat to Tehran’s stability. She spoke of her own journey from being "treated as nothing" under the current system to leading a revolution inspired by Kurdish women: "Kurdish women have always been at the forefront of the struggle for freedom... they are now the inspiration for all women in Iran."