Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has highlighted the severe hardships facing Iranians amid ongoing conflicts and U.S. sanctions, describing a situation of acute economic distress and intensified government repression. In an interview conducted from outside Iran, Mohammadi emphasized that ordinary citizens are bearing the brunt of the country’s multiple crises, which have persisted for more than one and a half years.

Mohammadi, who was temporarily released from prison earlier this year for medical reasons following a severe health decline, has chronicled her experiences and reflections in a memoir titled *A Woman Never Stops Fighting.* Parts of the book were smuggled out of prison with the help of fellow inmates, and editions in French, German, and nine other languages are being released this month. English and Persian versions are scheduled for publication next year, strategically timed to coincide with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. Amini, a 22-year-old woman, died in 2022 after being detained by authorities for allegedly violating the country’s strict Islamic dress code, an event that ignited widespread protests.

Mohammadi underscored the enduring spirit of resistance among Iranians, especially within a younger generation increasingly aware of their rights. Despite heightened repression, she noted a growing determination among citizens to stand up against injustice. “If you go out into the streets, you see a wave of resistance among the people, a wave of awareness, and their determination to stand up for their rights,” she said. She acknowledged government efforts to suppress dissent but expressed cautious optimism, citing the resilience demonstrated since the 2022 protests.

The activist, who has spent a cumulative 10 years in Iranian prisons and faced sentences totaling 44 years, detailed the harsh conditions of her most recent detention. Arrested in December last year in Mashhad while attending a memorial for the deceased human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, Mohammadi said she was severely beaten, sustaining head injuries, and subjected to solitary confinement for two months. She was sentenced to 16 years in prison and over 100 lashes, though she has not yet been flogged. Her health deteriorated to the point that she lost consciousness in May, prompting a hospital transfer. After nearly 10 days on bail and further hospitalization in Tehran, she was finally released but remains under threat of returning to prison.

Mohammadi’s activism spans decades, fueled early on by personal stories of women in her family and memories of the Iran-Iraq war’s harsh toll on society, including widespread political repression and executions. She described her enduring opposition to war and authoritarianism, noting that these forces continue to infringe upon Iranians’ rights amid ongoing regional conflicts, including the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran, during which Evin prison was reportedly bombed.

While currently out of prison, Mohammadi remains under court order to return if summoned and continues to face restrictions, including a travel ban imposed since 2009. This ban has prevented her from reuniting with her husband and children, who live in exile in France. Her team shared a statement from Mohammadi indicating that her sentence is suspended but that she must comply with any judicial orders for her return to custody.