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Iranian academic claims Iran would defend oppressed Jews

Unverified

Claim checked

“Professor Mohammad Marandi claims Iran will help any sect of people that are being OPPRESSED, not matter the the race, religion or gender, even if they are Jewish "We will defend the oppressed, even if the people being oppressed are Jewish"”

Published

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Verdict

Unverified

The claim that Professor Mohammad Marandi stated Iran would defend any oppressed group, including Jewish people, is unverified. While Marandi has co-authored academic work titled Oppressors and Oppressed Reconsidered and frequently uses the rhetoric of the "oppressed" in his media appearances, there is no direct evidence in the provided records of him making this specific quote regarding the defense of Jewish people.

  • Lack of Direct Evidence: No primary source or transcript provided contains the specific quote: "We will defend the oppressed, even if the people being oppressed are Jewish."
  • Contradictory Rhetoric: Marandi's documented public statements often involve harsh criticism of Israel, which he frequently labels a "Nazi regime" and an "ethno-supremacist" entity, making the claimed inclusive sentiment difficult to verify without a specific citation.
  • Academic Context: Marandi has written on the Shi'ite perspective of the "oppressed," but these works generally focus on the "Axis of Resistance" rather than the protection of Jewish populations.

Reasoning

The claim originates from a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) dated May 14, 2026, attributing a specific quote to Professor Mohammad Marandi. However, a thorough review of the available evidence, including Marandi's Wikipedia profile and recent news reports from late 2024 and 2026, fails to locate this specific statement. Marandi is a well-known academic and advisor to the Iranian government who frequently appears on international networks like the BBC, Sky News, and Al Jazeera. While he often speaks about the 'oppressed'—a central theme in Iranian revolutionary ideology—his documented rhetoric is almost exclusively focused on the 'Axis of Resistance' and the Palestinian cause.

In fact, Marandi's verified public statements often lean toward the opposite of the claimed sentiment. He has been widely criticized by organizations such as the Jewish Leadership Council and the Campaign Against Antisemitism for using language described as 'racist poison' and 'antisemitic.' For instance, in October 2024, he sparked outrage during a BBC interview by referring to 'chosen people' who believe they have 'exceptional rights.' He has also celebrated the October 7 attacks on Israel as a 'great and historic day.'

While Marandi has co-authored a book chapter titled 'Oppressors and Oppressed Reconsidered: A Shi‘itologic Perspective,' which discusses the Islamic Republic's outlook on international relations, the provided summaries of his views do not include the specific inclusive claim regarding Jewish people. Given his history of bellicose statements against the Israeli state and his role as a 'mouthpiece' for the Iranian regime, the claim that he would advocate for the defense of Jewish people remains unverified and lacks a credible primary source or transcript to support it.

Source quality: The evidence includes a detailed Wikipedia biography, recent news articles from The Jewish Chronicle and AS USA, and summaries of Marandi's recent interviews. While these sources provide a clear picture of his typical rhetoric and background, they do not contain the specific quote mentioned in the claim.

Key checks

  • Verification of the specific quote: Searched for the quote 'We will defend the oppressed, even if the people being oppressed are Jewish' within the provided academic and media records for Marandi.

  • Analysis of Marandi's public rhetoric regarding Jewish people: Reviewed Marandi's documented statements on the BBC and Sky News to see if they align with the inclusive sentiment of the claim.

  • Review of academic publications: Checked the titles and themes of Marandi's written works, such as 'Oppressors and Oppressed Reconsidered,' for the claimed sentiment.

Confidence

Medium

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