{{Short description|American actress (born 1985)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Sepideh Moafi | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1985|9}} | birth_place = Regensburg, West Germany (now Germany) | occupation = {{flatlist| * Actor * singer}} | years_active = 2013–present | education = San Francisco Conservatory of Music (BM)<br>University of California, Irvine (MFA) }} '''Sepideh Moafi''' ({{langx|fa|سپیده معافی}}; born September 1985) is an Iranian-American actress. She is best known for her roles in ''The Deuce'' (2017–2019), ''The L Word: Generation Q'' (2019–2023), ''The Killing of Two Lovers'' (2020), ''Black Bird'' (2022) and ''The Pitt'' (2026).
==Early life and education == Sepideh Moafi was born in September 1985 in a refugee camp in Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kandangwa |first=Sumnima |date=2026-01-17 |title=Meet Sepideh Moafi, who plays Dr Baran Al-Hashimi in season 2 of The Pitt |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3340152/meet-sepideh-moafi-who-plays-dr-baran-al-hashimi-season-2-pitt |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=Belonging: From Refugee to Hollywood with Sepideh Moafi| date=February 4, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAnduTGR7fo|language=en|access-date=September 29, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Sepideh Moafi Opens Up About Being Born in a Refugee Camp, Why She Wants to Help Other Immigrants|url=https://people.com/tv/sepideh-moafi-opens-up-about-being-born-refugee-camp-helping-other-immigrants/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=people.com|language=en}}</ref> Prior to her birth, her parents fled Iran after the Islamic Revolution. After two years in Turkey and then Germany, where Moafi's parents sought political asylum and claimed refugee status, Moafi's family were granted visas to move to the United States.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Moafi is an American citizen.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Solis|first=Jose|date=April 9, 2018|title=Sepideh Moafi is a Master at Subverting Seduction and Sex; Interview: Sepideh Moafi on 'One Thousand Nights and One Day '|url=https://stagebuddy.com/theater/theater-feature/interview-sepideh-moafi-on-one-thousand-nights-and-one-day|website=StageBuddy}}</ref>
During her childhood years, she studied opera and was later pulled into musical theatre and jazz.<ref name=":2" /> Moafi started singing at 15 years old and within a year had a full scholarship to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music,<ref name=":2" /> where she graduated in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Crossover Star Sepideh Moafi '07 Turns Big Dreams into Reality|url=https://sfcm.edu/newsroom/crossover-star-sepideh-moafi-07-turns-big-dreams-reality|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=sfcm.edu|language=en}}</ref>
Moafi attended the University of California Irvine to study acting, where she later graduated with an MFA in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sepideh Moafi Booked a Role in Notorious |website =Claire Trevor School of the Arts, UC Irvine |url=https://www.arts.uci.edu/sepideh-moafi-booked-role-notorious|access-date=September 29, 2021|date=March 11, 2016}}</ref>
==Career== In 2013, Moafi had her first on-screen credit in a guest-starring role as Aaliya Zaki in the tenth episode of season four of CBS's ''Blue Bloods''.
In 2015, Moafi landed what would be her breakout role, a recurring role as Loretta in HBO's ''The Deuce'', an American drama television series created by David Simon and George Pelecanos set during the 1970s and 1980s and explored the stories of sex-workers in New York. Before filming the pilot, Simon met Moafi for a coffee date and explained to Moafi what ''The Deuce'' was going to be about and what her character's arc, Loretta, on the show was going to be. While her character on ''The Deuce'' had been planned early on, Moafi subsequently landed a lead role in ''Notorious'' (a show which was to be filmed in Los Angeles) after meeting with Simon and before the pilot of ''The Deuce'' was filmed. Moafi wrote a letter to the executive producers of ''The Deuce'', Simon, Pelecanos and Nina Kostroff Noble hoping that they would still let her be a part of ''The Deuce'' despite her regular gig on ''Notorious''. The executive producers on ''The Deuce'' let Moafi continue to be a part of their show and worked around her schedule as ''The Deuce'' was mainly filmed in New York.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=You Might Know Her From: Sepideh Moafi on Apple Podcasts|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sepideh-moafi/id1451464152?i=1000460040808|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Apple Podcasts|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Plitt|first=Amy|date=September 12, 2017|title=Mapping the NYC filming locations for HBO's '70s porn drama 'The Deuce'|url=https://ny.curbed.com/maps/the-deuce-hbo-new-york-times-square-filming-locations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912193657/https://ny.curbed.com/maps/the-deuce-hbo-new-york-times-square-filming-locations|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 12, 2017|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Curbed NY|language=en}}</ref> However, as a result, Loretta's arc could not be fulfilled as initially planned and had to go a different direction because of Moafi's scheduling conflicts<ref name=":3" /> and she was only in three episodes in the first season of ''The Deuce''.<ref name=":4">{{Citation|title="The Deuce" Star Sepideh Moafi Talks About The Final Season Of The HBO Series| date=October 11, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj4D_uvqyn4|language=en|access-date=September 29, 2021}}</ref> The pilot of ''The Deuce'' was shot in 2015<ref name=":4" /> and the first season was shot a year later.<ref name=":3" />
In 2016, Moafi starred as Megan Byrd on ABC's ''Notorious''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 21, 2016|title=Exclusive : Notorious Scoop: Interview with Sepideh Moafi {{!}} Seat42F|url=https://seat42f.com/exclusive-notorious-scoop-interview-with-sepideh-moafi/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=seat42f.com|language=en-US}}</ref> The show is based on real-life criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos and ''Larry King Live'' news producer Wendy Walker. Moafi's character is a junior producer and booker on the fictional number one cable news show ''Louise Herrick Live'' and her character is considered to be the number-two to Julia George, played by Piper Perabo.<ref>{{Citation|title=Sepideh Moafi interviewed at ABC's "Notorious" red carpet premiere screening #Notorious| date=September 21, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byHJwk_hZoI|language=en|access-date=September 29, 2021}}</ref> While the show originally landed a 13-episode first season, ABC cut the first season to 10 episodes and the show was cancelled by ABC after one season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 12, 2017|title=Notorious: Cancelled; ABC Drama Officially Not Returning for Season Two|url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/notorious-cancelled-abc-no-season-two/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=canceled + renewed TV shows - TV Series Finale|language=en-US}}</ref>
After ''Notorious'' was cancelled, Moafi continued to appear in her recurring role as Loretta on ''The Deuce'', and her character was made a series regular in season 3, the final season. Moafi's character on ''The Deuce'' was initially a sex-worker working on the streets of New York and later became an anti-pornography activist,<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 9, 2019|title='Maggie Gyllenhaal Devours The Moment': Sepideh Moafi On HBO's 'The Deuce' & Showtime's 'L Word: Generation Q'|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/09/09/sepideh-moafi-maggie-gyllenhaal-the-deuce-interview/|access-date=September 29, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> which was one of the main reasons Moafi wanted to continue to be a part of ''The Deuce'' despite her scheduling conflicts.<ref name=":4" /> To prepare for her role as Loretta, Moafi did research into the history of New York by reading books such as pimp and sex workers' memoirs and studied vintage porn to help her understanding of the historical context that the show was set in.<ref name=":3" /> Moafi has stated that ''The Deuce'' has changed and influenced her relationship and view of the porn industry after the stories portrayed in the show.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Stagnitta|first=Ali|date=October 28, 2019|title='The Deuce' Finale: Sepideh Moafi Reveals How Loretta's Story Has Influenced Her View Of The Porn Industry|url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2019/10/28/the-deuce-finale-loretta-sepideh-moafi/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Hollywood Life|language=en-US}}</ref>
While shooting the second season of ''The Deuce'', Moafi starred in the role of Dahna in a musical off-Broadway ''One Thousand Nights and One Day'' which opened on April 15, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clement|first=Olivia|date=April 13, 2018|title=Watch Highlights From New Musical One Thousand Nights and One Day|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/watch-highlights-from-new-musical-one-thousand-nights-and-one-day|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sepideh Moafi and Ben Steinfeld to Star in One Thousand Nights and One Day {{!}} TheaterMania|url=https://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/sepideh-moafi-ben-steinfeld-one-thousand-cast_84220.html|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=www.theatermania.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Moafi has stated that her career "started out in opera and then theater" and considers opera to "forever be a part of [her] artistic identity".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Specter|first=Emma|date=August 17, 2021|title=Sepideh Moafi Knows You're Obsessed With Gigi on 'The L Word: Generation Q'|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/sepideh-moafi-the-l-word-generation-q-interview|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Vogue|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2018, Moafi was cast as a series regular on and starred as Alexis Simms in season 2 of ''Falling Water''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=August 28, 2017|title='Falling Water': Sepideh Moafi Cast As Series Regular For Season 2|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/falling-water-sepideh-moafi-cast-series-regular-season-2-1202157336/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 28, 2018|title=Sepideh Moafi – Falling Water|url=https://starrymag.com/sepideh-moafi-falling-water/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Starry Constellation Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> Season 2 of ''Falling Water'' premiered in January 2018. Moafi's character was introduced as the new partner of NYPD detective Taka (played by Will Yun Lee) who later discovers the supernatural world in the show. In May 2018, USA Network announced the series' cancellation after its second season.
In 2019, Moafi was cast as Gigi Ghorbani on Showtime's ''The L Word: Generation Q'', a sequel of the early 2000s lesbian classic ''The L Word''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Milligan|first=Kaitlin|title=Sepideh Moafi Joins Cast of THE L WORD: GENERATION Q|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Sepideh-Moafi-Joins-Cast-of-THE-L-WORD-GENERATION-Q-20190726|access-date=October 5, 2021|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en}}</ref> ''Generation Q'' premiered on December 8, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gigi Ghorbani Played by Sepideh Moafi - The L Word: Generation Q {{!}} SHOWTIME|url=https://www.sho.com/the-l-word-generation-q/cast/gigi-ghorbani|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=SHO.com|language=en-US}}</ref> At the beginning of season 1 of ''Generation Q'', Moafi's character was introduced as the ex-wife of Natalie "Nat" Bailey (played by Stephanie Allynne) who is currently dating Alice Pieszecki (played by Leisha Hailey), a character that originated in ''The L Word''. Her character was well received by fans and quickly became a fan-favorite among the new cast.<ref name=":5" /> In season 1, her character Gigi was involved in a "throuple"/polyamorous relationship with Alice and Nat. In season 2, her character further explored romantic relationships with Bette Porter (played by Jennifer Beals) and Dani Núñez (played by Arienne Mandi).
In 2020, Moafi starred alongside Clayne Crawford in ''The Killing of Two Lovers'', an American drama film written, directed, produced and edited by Robert Machoian. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2020, and the film was released on May 14, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Killing of Two Lovers {{!}} NEON|url=https://neonrated.com/films/the-killing-of-two-lovers|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=neonrated.com|language=en}}</ref> The film tells the separation between the parents of four children in which Moafi plays Niki, the wife of Clayne Crawford's David.<ref>{{Cite web|last=DeBolt|first=Virginia|date=September 17, 2021|title=The Killing of Two Lovers: Is Sepideh Moafi worth it?|url=https://oldaintdead.com/the-killing-of-two-lovers-is-sepideh-moafi-worth-it/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Old Ain't Dead|language=en-US}}</ref>
In April 2021, Moafi was cast in the Apple TV+ American crime drama limited series ''Black Bird''. Produced by Dennis Lehane, Moafi stars alongside Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser and Greg Kinnear. Production for the series began in New Orleans in April 2021 and is based on the novel ''In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption'' by James Keene. Moafi plays FBI agent Lauren McCauley in the true crime drama, an FBI agent who approaches protagonist Jimmy Keene about the Larry Hall operation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet the cast of Black Bird, Apple TV's gripping true crime thriller |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/black-bird-cast-apple-tv/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=Radio Times |language=en}}</ref> Moafi attended the premiere event on Wednesday June 29, 2022, at the Regency Bruin Theater in Los Angeles, California<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple TV+ hosts premiere for the highly anticipated debut of thrilling crime drama "Black Bird" ahead of its global debut on July 8 |url=https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2022/06/apple-tv-hosts-premiere-for-the-highly-anticipated-debut-of-thrilling-crime-drama-black-bird-ahead-of-its-global-debut-on-july-8/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=Apple TV+ Press |language=en-US}}</ref>''.'' The six-episode limited series premiered globally on July 8, 2022, on Apple TV+.
In November 2021, Moafi was cast as "Hour" in the FX limited series ''Class of '09'' alongside Brian J. Smith, Jake McDorman, Brooke Smith, joining previously announced leads Brian Tyree Henry and Kate Mara. The eight-part series produced by FX Productions revolves around a group of FBI agents who graduated from Quantico in 2009 and are reunited following the death of a mutual friend.<ref name="Petski">{{Cite web |last1=Cordero |first1=Rosy |last2=Petski |first2=Denise |date=2021-11-10 |title={{'}}''Class of '09''{{'}}: Raúl Castillo, Jake McDorman, Sepideh Moafi, Brian J. Smith Among 7 Cast In FX Limited Series |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/class-of-09-raul-castillo-jake-mcdorman-sepideh-moafi-brian-j-smith-among-7-cast-in-fx-limited-series-1234871468/ |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> The series is executive produced by Tom Rob Smith, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2021-06-22 |title=Brian Tyree Henry, Kate Mara to Star in Limited Series {{'}}''Class of '09''{{'}} for FX on Hulu |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/brian-tyree-henry-kate-mara-class-of-09-fx-on-hulu-1235002389/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Class of '09'' premiered on May 10, 2023 on FX on Hulu.<ref name="Petski"/>
In June 2025, Moafi was cast as series regular in HBO Max medical drama series ''The Pitt'', playing attending physician Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi in Season 2.<ref>{{cite web | title='The Pitt' Season 2 Casts 'The L Word: Generation Q' Alum Sepideh Moafi | date=June 24, 2025 | url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/the-pitt-season-2-cast-sepideh-moafi-1236439321/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='The Pitt' showrunner introduces new doctor and teases Dr. Langdon's return in season 2 first look (exclusive) |url=https://ew.com/the-pitt-season-2-first-look-reveals-new-doctor-langdon-returns-exclusive-11794042 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=EW.com |language=en}}</ref> She was originally invited to audition for the role of Dr. Samira Mohan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hadadi |first=Roxana |date=2026-03-27 |title=Sepideh Moafi Knew Her Pitt Character Would Be Misunderstood |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/sepideh-moafi-the-pitt-season-2-interview.html |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=Vulture |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2026, Moafi starred alongside Hugh Jackman and Marianna Gailus in the Off-Broadway drama, ''New Born'', at The Audible Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Born |url=https://playbill.com/production/new-born-off-broadway-minetta-lane-theatre-2026 |access-date=May 13, 2026 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
==Personal life== In 2019, Moafi penned a first person essay sharing her experience as a refugee.<ref name=":1" /> In 2021, Moafi was a special guest on ''Girls Write Now'', a writing and mentoring organization for girls and gender-expansive{{clarify|date=September 2024}} teens. Moafi hosted a program titled ''Belonging: From Refugee to Hollywood'' as part of the Summer Salon series in February 2021.<ref name=":0" />
Moafi is an activist and works to support the International Rescue Committee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IRC Celebrity Ambassadors: Why I Support the IRC's Work With Refugees |url=https://www.rescue.org/irc-celebrity-ambassadors-why-i-support-ircs-work-refugees |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=International Rescue Committee (IRC) |language=en}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style=font-size:100% ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|reference(s)}} |- ! scope=row| 2010 | ''Violet Is Single'' | Violet | Short film | |- ! scope=row| 2014 | ''Best Man in the Dark'' | Tereza Lopez | | |- ! scope=row| 2017 | ''Quest: The Truth Always Rises'' | Susan | | |- ! scope=row| 2018 | ''The Arrangements'' | | Short film | |- ! scope=row| 2020 | ''The Killing of Two Lovers'' | Nikki | | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-06 |title=Clayne Crawford & The Killing of Two Lovers Team on Their On-Set Family |url=https://collider.com/clayne-crawford-interview-the-killing-of-two-lovers/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>}} |- ! scope=row| 2023 | ''I'll Be Right There'' | Sophie | | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|title=Edie Falco To Topline Indie Comedy 'I'll Be Right There' From 'Nurse Jackie' Helmer Brendan Walsh; Charlie Tahan, Jeannie Berlin, Bradley Whitford & More Also Set|date=December 7, 2022|website=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/edie-falco-to-topline-comedy-ill-be-right-there-from-nurse-jackie-helmer-1235191437/|accessdate=October 13, 2023}}</ref>}} |- | {{TBA}} | ''Wild Berries'' | | | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barraclough |first=Leo |date=2023-05-10 |title='Wild Berries,' Starring Cannes Winner Shahab Hosseini, 'The L Word's' Sepideh Moafi, Picked Up by Grandave Intl. (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/wild-berries-shahab-hosseini-sepideh-moafi-grandave-1235608561/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Variety}}</ref>}} |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style=font-size:100% ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|reference(s)}} |- ! scope=row| 2013 | ''Blue Bloods'' | Aaliya Zaki | Episode: "Mistaken Identity" | |- ! scope=row rowspan="5"|2014 | ''Unforgettable'' | Lisa Martinez | Episode: "Manhunt" | |- | ''Nurse Jackie'' | Mrs. Harrison | Episode: "Love Jungle" | |- | ''Black Box'' | Dr. Farrah Mahmoud | Recurring role; 8 episodes | |- | ''The Good Wife'' | Sylmar Knausgaard | Episode: "Old Spice" | |- | ''Red Zone'' | Frida Moussaf | Television film | |- ! scope=row rowspan="3"|2015 | ''Forever'' | Melanie Sparo | Episode: "The Wolves of Deep Brooklyn" | |- | ''The Blacklist'' | Mary Henning | Episode: "The Deer Hunter (no. 93)" | |- | ''Limitless'' | Dr. Pauline Wilson | Episode: "Side Effects May Include..." | |- ! scope=row rowspan="2"|2016 | ''Elementary'' | Sofia Darrow | Episode: "All In" | |- | ''Notorious'' | Megan Byrd | Main role; 10 episodes | |- ! scope=row| 2017–2019 | ''The Deuce'' | Loretta | Recurring role (seasons 1–2), Main role (season 3); 18 episodes | |- ! scope=row| 2019–2023 | ''The L Word: Generation Q'' | Gigi Ghorbani | Main role; 28 episodes | |- ! scope=row| 2022 | ''Black Bird'' | Lauren McCauley | Miniseries; 5 episodes | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tauer |first=Kristen |date=2022-07-11 |title=Sepideh Moafi Is on the Case in New Apple Series 'Black Bird' |url=https://wwd.com/eye/people/sepideh-moafi-black-bird-true-crime-apple-tv-1235248389/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}</ref>}} |- ! scope=row rowspan="2"|2023 | ''Class of '09'' | Hour Nazari | Miniseries; 8 episodes | {{center|<ref name="Petski"/>}} |- | ''Scavengers Reign'' | Mia | Voice role; 3 episodes | |- ! scope=row|2026 |''The Pitt'' |Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi |Main role; 15 episodes (season 2) |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2025-06-24 |title='The Pitt' Season 2 Casts 'The L Word: Generation Q' Alum Sepideh Moafi |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/the-pitt-season-2-cast-sepideh-moafi-1236439321/ |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=''The Pitt'' showrunner introduces new doctor and teases Dr. Langdon's return in season 2 first look (exclusive) |url=https://ew.com/the-pitt-season-2-first-look-reveals-new-doctor-langdon-returns-exclusive-11794042 |first=Ashley |last=Boucher |date=August 20, 2025 |access-date=August 21, 2025 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en}}</ref>}} |}
==References==
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==External links== * {{IMDb name}} * {{Instagram}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Moafi, Sepideh}} Category:21st-century American actresses Category:American film actresses Category:American television actresses Category:Actresses of Iranian descent Category:San Francisco Conservatory of Music alumni Category:University of California, Irvine alumni Category:American people of Iranian descent Category:Iranian emigrants to the United States Category:Iranian refugees Category:People from Regensburg Category:1985 births Category:Living people