Reza Esmailzadeh

Reza Esmailzadeh (October 26, 1993 – October 26, 2022)

Reza Esmailzadeh, a 29-year-old Ph.D. student from Chaldoran in West Azerbaijan Province, had spent years working tirelessly to build a better future. He was pursuing advanced studies and was known by family and friends as a hardworking young man who balanced his academic ambitions with the responsibility of helping support his family. His achievements were a source of pride for his parents, especially his father, who had worked as a laborer to provide him with educational opportunities.
During the nationwide protests of 2022, widely known as the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, Reza lost his life in Tehran. According to accounts shared by his family, friends, and activists, he was killed by direct gunfire from security forces. However, the exact circumstances, as well as the precise time and location of his death, have not been fully clarified through official sources, and questions surrounding the incident remain unresolved.
On October 26, 2022, Reza’s body was reportedly returned to his family. According to relatives and reports circulated at the time, the family was pressured not to speak publicly about the circumstances of his death. The following day, October 27, 2022, his family laid him to rest in his hometown of Chaldoran.
Reza’s death left a profound impact on those who knew him. He was remembered as a young man devoted to his studies, determined to achieve his goals, and committed to supporting his loved ones. For his parents, the loss was especially devastating: the son in whom they had invested years of hope, sacrifice, and pride was gone before he could realize the future he had worked so hard to attain.
Today, Reza Esmailzadeh is remembered by many as one of the young lives lost during a turbulent period in Iran’s recent history. His story continues to be shared by family members, friends, classmates, and fellow citizens who wish to preserve the memory of his aspirations, his perseverance, and the life that was cut short.