Amanpour – "Nobel Laureate Assaulted in Iranian Prison"

CNN Podcasts | February 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode addresses major developments in Iran on the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Republic. The main focus is the severe mistreatment of Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, who is reportedly being brutally assaulted in prison following her advocacy for human rights. Christiane Amanpour interviews the head of the Nobel Committee, Jørgen Friednes, and features testimony from Mohammadi's family. The show also discusses the impact of the Trump administration on international politics with former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen, highlights the Oscar-nominated documentary "Cutting Through Rocks" about women’s rights activism in rural Iran, and examines economic protest strategies with Scott Galloway.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Update on Narges Mohammadi’s Condition in Iranian Prison

(00:44–08:08)

• Backdrop:
  47 years after Iran’s Islamic Revolution, the nation sees fierce protests and brutal government crackdowns, with authorities admitting over 3,000 deaths, but real figures may be much higher.
• President Peseschkian’s Statement:
  Attempts to apologize for "shortcomings" but not for killings or abuses.
  (“I apologize to the noble people for the shortcomings that exist.” — President Peseschkian, 02:14)
• Severity of Crackdown:
  Tens of thousands arrested, including doctors assisting protestors; explicit message that dissent is unacceptable.
• Focus on Narges Mohammadi:
  The Nobel Committee describes "horrifying" credible reports of her being beaten with sticks, scalped, kicked in the pelvis/genitals, denied medical assistance, and facing life-threatening conditions.
• Nobel Committee’s Report:
  “The credible report is about being beaten repeatedly…parts of her scalp being teared out of her head, causing open wounds, repeatedly kicked in the pelvis, in the genitals, leaving her unable to sit, unable to live normally, with severe pain. … She continues to be denied adequate, sustained medical assistance. So this is consecutive cruel and inhumane treatment, a blatant violation of international human rights law.”
  — Jørgen Friednes (Nobel Committee), 03:44
• Reaction from Mohammadi’s Husband:
  His statement condemns the Iranian government’s calculated use of violence as intimidation, aiming to “silence her and force her to abandon her work. This treatment is cruel, unlawful and utterly indefensible.” (04:55)
• Ongoing Health Crisis:
  Mohammadi is “in grave danger” due to denial of medical care despite known heart disease.
• Nobel Committee’s Actions and Limits:
  Friednes notes the difficulty of influencing Iran directly but calls for international pressure:
  “This is a call both to the regime in Iran, but also to the international community to put pressure on them so that Ms. Mohammedi's safety is taken care of.” (07:19)

Notable Quote (from Mohammadi, via Amanpour’s prior interview):

“Not even the prison walls and all these convictions can ever stop me. … I have to go towards democracy and equality. … I am determined in my belief because of the conditions that exist in my country, Iran.” (08:08)

• Risk of Spotlight:
  Debate on whether international recognition protects or endangers activists: “It could both protect you, but it could also highlight the dangers for Ms. Mohammedi…” (Jørgen Friednes, 09:39)

2. Testimony from Mohammadi’s Daughter and Communication Blockades

(10:40–11:38)

• Isolation:
  Kiana, Mohammadi’s daughter, reveals she has not seen her mother since 2015 and not heard from her in two years:

  “Phone calls have been absolutely blocked officially for quite a while. … The government now sees her as even more of a threat.” (Kiana Mohammadi, 10:57)

• Source of Reports:
  Nobel Committee gets info from “credible sources inside Iran,” whose identities are protected for safety. (11:53)

3. Human Rights in Iran and International Response

(12:31–13:59)

• International Community's Focus:
  Critique that Western dialogue with Iran consistently centers on nuclear/security concerns, neglecting human rights violations.
• Nobel Committee’s Position:
  “To talk about these violations is necessary. And to demand the unconditional and immediate release of Nargis Mohammadi should also be part of those discussions.” (Jørgen Friednes, 13:15)

4. Europe, NATO, and US Political Dynamics (Anders Fogh Rasmussen Interview)

(14:44–25:39)

• “Demolition Man” Politics:
  Analysis of the fracturing transatlantic alliance; President Trump’s threats to NATO, Europe, and the Greenland episode.
  • “Time has come to stand up against President Trump. There are limitations to his room of maneuver.” (Rasmussen, 18:53)
  • “Time for flattering is over.” (Rasmussen, 20:03)
• Turning Point & European Unity:
  Growing European resolve in face of US unpredictability and aggression: “Greenland was a turning point.” (Rasmussen, 20:27)
• Ukraine:
  US pressure misguidedly applied to Zelensky rather than Putin; urgent need for tougher sanctions on Russia.
  • “I find it quite disappointing and embarrassing that we are not able to put more pressure on Putin.” (Rasmussen, 22:03)
• Iran and Human Rights:
  Expresses admiration for Iranian protestors and hopes negotiations will go beyond nuclear issues to include regional stability and human rights.

5. Women’s Rights and Grassroots Change in Iran: ‘Cutting Through Rocks’ Documentary

(25:39–36:57)

• About the Film:
  Follows Sara Shahverdi, a midwife and the first woman elected to local office in a rural, conservative region of Iran.
  Notable for its depiction of hope, subtle resistance, and the ripple effects of female empowerment.
• Director’s Motivation:
  Mohammad Reza Ayni explains the need for insider perspective:
  “For me as a male director to go there and make an intimate film about women was not possible. So I needed someone like Sara.” (27:11)
• Sara Shahverdi’s Impact:
  • Delivered “400 kids,” the only female motorcycle rider in her region, ran for office with support from first-time voters she helped birth.
  • After her election, she faced pushback from local men, skepticism over official powers, and personal attacks on her femininity.
  • “It was really important to see how a leader uses power to empower others, not controlling … but trying to give them space and creating a safe space for everyone in her community.” (Ayni, 29:55)
• Societal Change:
  Sara Haaki highlights the growing number of female motorcycle riders as emblematic of incremental cultural shifts:
  “Recently, she shared with us that as a woman, to ride a motorcycle in this region is not a big deal anymore.” (31:49)
• Pushback and Humiliation:
  Sara Shahverdi was even advised by authorities to "get a sex change" to fit patriarchal norms:
  “They really wanted to say that being a woman and being powerful don’t go together. And it was a form of humiliation...” (Sara Haaki, 36:01)
• Documentary's Purpose:
  Ayni: “We are here not as politicians, but as storytellers. We have the responsibility to share those stories, to inspire each other and to remind each other that change is possible in a very peaceful way.” (33:28)

6. Economic Resistance: Scott Galloway on Boycotting Big Tech

(37:54–51:43)

• Strategy:
  Galloway proposes a targeted, month-long economic strike—canceling subscriptions to companies enabling harmful government policies, especially those supporting ICE.
• Categories:
  “Ground zero”: Big Tech (Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta)
  “Blast zone”: Companies directly enabling ICE (AT&T, Hilton, etc.)
• Rationale:
  Large tech firms are particularly vulnerable to drops in subscription revenue; this is “a weapon hiding in plain sight.” (Galloway, 44:06)
• Impact Assessment:
  Aims to send a message, not just cause economic damage:
  “I want to be a small hair in the horse’s tail that people notice.” (44:06)
• Difficulty of Collective Action:
  Galloway notes corporate leaders are privately concerned but afraid to be first movers. Urges “collective action”—“What’s the point of having all this money if you can't be at least nod to some of the principles that have given you so much wealth...” (46:07)
• Historical Context:
  Effectiveness of protests often depends on duration and media visibility; cites the year-long Montgomery bus boycott as an example of a successful cumulative strike. (48:08)
• Challenges:
  Highlights the difficulty of unsubscribing when economies are dominated by oligopolies/monopolies, making true choice difficult.

7. Acts of Resistance and Remembrance in Sports

(51:54–52:33)

• Olympic Protest:
  Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladislav Hiroskovich wears a helmet memorializing athletes killed in war, defying Committee guidelines:

  “These people sacrifice their lives and because of that I’m able to be here today. I’m able to be at the Olympics and I will not betray them.” (Hiroskovich, 52:19)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Mohammadi’s treatment:
  “This is consecutive cruel and inhumane treatment, a blatant violation of international human rights law.”
  — Jørgen Friednes, Nobel Committee (03:44)

• On international responsibility:
  “To talk about these violations is necessary. And to demand the unconditional and immediate release of Nargis Mohammadi should also be part of those discussions.”
  — Jørgen Friednes (13:15)

• On European unity:
  “Time for flattering is over.”
  — Anders Fogh Rasmussen (20:03)

• On grassroots change:
  “The only thing that gives me hope about the future of our country is its people. People like Sara Shahverdi ... And we are here not as politicians, but as storytellers. We have the responsibility to share those stories...”
  — Mohammad Reza Ayni, director (33:28)

• On economic resistance:
  “This is a high impact way to send a message and you might save some money along the way.”
  — Scott Galloway (40:28)

Useful Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:44–13:59] Iran: Anniversary, crackdowns, and Mohammadi’s case
• [14:44–25:39] Rasmussen on US/EU relations, NATO, Ukraine, Iran
• [25:39–36:57] Documentary "Cutting Through Rocks": Women’s activism in rural Iran
• [37:54–51:43] Galloway’s call for tech company boycott
• [51:54–52:33] Athlete’s Olympic protest

Episode Tone

Urgent, empathetic, and courageous. The conversation maintains journalistic clarity while giving voice to the immense human cost of political repression and the persistent hope found in acts of resistance—large and small—across the globe.