A hidden American passport, religious persecution, and a daring journey toward freedom are at the center of a powerful new memoir from Iranian-American physician Dr. Nizam Missaghi.
Set for release on September 22, Passport to Freedom: From Tehran to Triumph tells the remarkable true story of a man who was born a U.S. citizen but raised under the strict rule of post-revolutionary Iran. Published by Regalo Press, the memoir offers readers a firsthand account of life under authoritarianism and the challenges faced by religious minorities living within the Islamic Republic.
Missaghi’s story begins shortly after his birth in the United States, when his family returned to Iran. Although he possessed American citizenship, he grew up in a society where his opportunities were severely limited because of his Baha’i faith. According to the memoir, he was expelled from school at the age of seven simply because of his religious identity.
For many Baha’is living in Iran, barriers to education, employment, and professional advancement became an unfortunate reality. Missaghi describes a childhood marked by uncertainty, fear, and the constant awareness that his future was constrained by circumstances beyond his control.
Yet tucked away in a dresser drawer was a closely guarded secret—a U.S. passport that had been quietly renewed every five years. The document represented hope, but it also carried significant risks. As political and social pressures mounted, Missaghi faced a difficult decision: remain in Iran and accept a limited future or risk everything in pursuit of a new life.
The memoir details his eventual escape and the challenges of starting over in America. Through determination and perseverance, Missaghi went on to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and a medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Today, he is a successful anesthesiologist, educator, and advocate for human rights.
Actor and author Rainn Wilson, who wrote the foreword to the book, praises Missaghi’s journey as a testament to the transformative power of freedom and opportunity. The memoir also explores broader themes of identity, faith, resilience, and the sacrifices often required to pursue a better future.
In addition to his medical career, Missaghi serves as chairman of the board of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center and has written extensively on human rights issues affecting Iran. He is also the founder of The Simpatico Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting diversity and the arts.
With authoritarianism, religious freedom, and human rights remaining global concerns, Passport to Freedom offers a timely and deeply personal perspective on the value of liberty and the courage it takes to seek it.