Podcast: Currently
Episode: When Shiraz Calls
Pub date: 2026-05-24

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A personal account of day-to-day life in Iran told through the calls of two Iranian sisters – one in the UK, the other in the Iranian city of Shiraz. Since the outbreak of war at the end of February, a near total internet blackout and a shutdown of international phone lines by the Iranian authorities has meant limited information has got out of the country. Despite the risks involved, the sisters have made recordings of their conversations which have been shared with the BBC. They discuss when the bombs land, the destruction of places they love and the realities of an economy that’s being brought to its knees. They struggle to sleep at night. Salaries don’t come through. It’s a roller coaster of emotions. But there are also moments of calm and comfort…a spot of dark humour and the scent of hyacinths.

Actors: Leila played by Lisa Zahra Gita played by Zahra Ahmadi

Presenter: Caroline Hawley Producers: Adele Armstrong and Soroush Pakzad Sound design: Peregrine Andrews Editor: Clare Fordham

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