Two of Iran's most celebrated film-makers have issued a powerful joint statement condemning the government's widespread internet blackout, labelling it a "blatant tool of repression" designed to hide state violence against protesters.
Artists Accuse Regime of Severing Communication
In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof accused the authorities of deliberately cutting off all communication. They stated that the regime had severed internet access, mobile phone networks, and landlines within Iran while also blocking contact with the outside world. This action, they argued, follows the mass turnout of millions of Iranians in recent street protests against the Islamic Republic.
"Experience has shown that resorting to such measures is intended to conceal the violence inflicted during the suppression of protests," the directors wrote. They warned that these tactics leave citizens "defenseless" and called on the international community, human rights organisations, and global media to urgently find ways to restore information channels and monitor the situation.
Diaspora Voices Amplify the Call for a Revolution
The ongoing unrest, now in its second week, has galvanised prominent figures within the Iranian diaspora to speak out. Many are using hashtags like #IranianRevolution and #IranRevolution2026 to underscore the scale of the demonstrations and the violent response.
Actress Golshifteh Farahani, who lives in exile, posted on Instagram: "Iran is on fire once again. My heart beats with the people of Iran." British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili told The News Agents podcast that the movement had evolved, noting a "tremendous shift" from protest to revolution. He cited videos showing security forces retreating from large crowds.
UK-based artist Soheila Sokhanvari added her voice on social media, stating: "Innocent unarmed people are subjected to brutal force and live bullets with impunity in Iran. This is a revolution and not a protest. Please be their voice."
Background of Defiance and Exile
The signatories of the statement are no strangers to government persecution. Jafar Panahi, a Cannes Palme d'Or winner, was sentenced in absentia just last month to a year in prison for "propaganda activities." Mohammad Rasoulof, another globally renowned director, fled Iran in 2024 while appealing a prison sentence and now lives in exile in Europe. Their defiance highlights the broader struggle for artistic freedom and human rights within the country.
Their urgent appeal underscores a critical moment, as the regime's information blackout seeks to obscure events from the world's view while the voices of dissent, both inside and outside Iran, grow louder.
