How the Family of Iran’s Most Feared Agent Ended Up in California

Among the most prominent victims were Dariush Forouhar, the leader of the Nation of Iran Party, and his wife Parvaneh Eskandari, who were both stabbed to death in late 1998. Shortly after, writers like Mohammad Mokhtari and Mohammad-Jafar Pouyandeh disappeared and were later found strangled. These high-profile deaths caused a massive public outcry and forced the government of then-President Mohammad Khatami to take unprecedented action. In a historic move, the Ministry of Intelligence issued a statement in January 1999 admitting that "rogue elements" within its own ranks were responsible for the killings, identifying Saeed Emami as a central figure.