Marjan Sheikholeslami: From Parliamentary Candidate to “Queen of Corruption”

Education and Entry into Media and Cultural Heritage Sector

Sheikholeslami’s academic background in communications and laboratory sciences provided her with a unique perspective on Iran’s media landscape. During the reformist government era (mid-1990s to early 2000s), she entered the cultural heritage domain, managing the launch of a specialized cultural heritage news agency. Her work in this period included senior roles at prominent media outlets such as the Cultural Heritage News Agency and the “Hambestagi” newspaper.

Her involvement in media allowed her to develop a network within Iran’s reformist circles, although her political trajectory would later shift dramatically. Her early career focused on promoting Iran’s cultural heritage and engaging with the media’s role in shaping public discourse.

Political Aspirations and Parliaments Candidacy

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Sheikholeslami made several attempts to enter Iran’s legislative body. She first ran in the sixth parliamentary elections in 1997, representing Tehran as a reformist candidate affiliated with the Islamic Iran Participation Front, a major reformist coalition. Her bid was part of a broader reformist push to challenge conservative dominance.

Later, she participated again in the eighth parliamentary elections on an independent fundamentalist list, highlighting her fluctuating political identity. Despite her efforts, she was unable to secure a seat in parliament. Her shifting political orientation—from reformist to fundamentalist—reflects her pragmatic approach to navigating Iran’s complex political environment.

September 16, 2025 | 7:42 pm