Mehrangiz Aymanpour: A Painting Teacher Who Just Wanted to Pay Her Construction Worker’s Wages

Mehrangiz, the mother of Arash and Bahar, left her home around June 22, 2025 (2nd Tir 1404 in the Persian calendar) to pay her construction worker. She had texted the worker who had been cleaning her house, saying, “I’m going to pay your wages now.” Her home was just 150 meters from Evin. While crossing the street, she was killed by an explosion caused by an Israeli airstrike.

Mehrangiz was a professional painting teacher skilled in various styles- from classical to collage- and she taught many students over the years. Her artworks can be seen on her Facebook page, where she regularly shared her creations. She spent hours each day painting or teaching. Those who knew her describe her as kind, humble, and self-made.

Friends remember her for her unwavering optimism and courage, even in the final days of her life. Having lived through the bombings of the Iran–Iraq War, she would often say, “Even back then, we weren’t afraid of war, and we didn’t run away.” Had Mehrangiz been alive today, she would be celebrating her 62nd birthday with her two children, Arash and Bahar. Arash would surely have planned a small celebration, surprising their mother with a video call from Bahar, who had emigrated to Canada.

But their mother never got the chance to read her last message, sent after paying the wages of a worker she employed. Israel killed her.