Born a photographer, Abbas, an Iranian transplanted in Paris, has dedicated his work to the political and social coverage of the developing South. Since 1970, his major work, published in world magazines, includes wars and revolutions in Biafra, Bangladesh, Ulster, Vietnam, the Middle East, Chile, Cuba, South Africa etc.

Abbas is currently working on the Clash of Religions, defined as culture rather than faith, replacing political ideologies in the strategic struggles of the near future.

Abbas is a member of Magnum Photos since 1981.