Prominent Iranian celebrities, including singer Googoosh and actor Nazanin Boniadi, are speaking out against the regime amid widespread protests. The calls for action come as the government cracks down on protesters under an internet blackout.
Googoosh, now 75, has a long history of criticizing the regime from abroad. She left Iran 26 years ago after being banned from performing due to the country's strict laws. Recently, she wrote a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to "act on the promise" he made to the Iranian people to help them.
Boniadi echoed Googoosh's sentiment in an essay for The New Statesman. She described Iran as a place where women have never had freedom of choice or been able to live their lives freely. Instead, she said the country has been "systematically erased" and replaced by an Islamic Republic that brings only death and destruction.
Other celebrities who are speaking out include actor Arian Moayed, who called for people to speak up for those being silenced in Iran. He stated that if Iranians are not allowed to express themselves, then others must do it for them.
The protests have been sparked by a combination of factors including poverty, blackouts, water shortages, censorship, and mass emigration. While some celebrities remain divided on whether foreign intervention is the best path forward, most agree that the current government is not the answer.
Meanwhile, Iranian dissident filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof are continuing to release works that capture the tense political climate in Iran. The two men have been repeatedly arrested for practicing their artistic craft and speaking out against the government.
As the situation continues to unfold, international leaders are under pressure to take action. While President Trump has hinted at a range of options, it remains unclear what exactly he plans to do.
Googoosh, now 75, has a long history of criticizing the regime from abroad. She left Iran 26 years ago after being banned from performing due to the country's strict laws. Recently, she wrote a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to "act on the promise" he made to the Iranian people to help them.
Boniadi echoed Googoosh's sentiment in an essay for The New Statesman. She described Iran as a place where women have never had freedom of choice or been able to live their lives freely. Instead, she said the country has been "systematically erased" and replaced by an Islamic Republic that brings only death and destruction.
Other celebrities who are speaking out include actor Arian Moayed, who called for people to speak up for those being silenced in Iran. He stated that if Iranians are not allowed to express themselves, then others must do it for them.
The protests have been sparked by a combination of factors including poverty, blackouts, water shortages, censorship, and mass emigration. While some celebrities remain divided on whether foreign intervention is the best path forward, most agree that the current government is not the answer.
Meanwhile, Iranian dissident filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof are continuing to release works that capture the tense political climate in Iran. The two men have been repeatedly arrested for practicing their artistic craft and speaking out against the government.
As the situation continues to unfold, international leaders are under pressure to take action. While President Trump has hinted at a range of options, it remains unclear what exactly he plans to do.
These celebrities need to be careful tho, regime's got ears everywhere 
️. Can't just speak out and expect everything to magically change 
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. They're risking so much just by saying something against the government. Googoosh is 75 now and still got the courage to write that letter to Trump, it shows how passionate she is about freedom. I feel bad for Nazanin too, who had to leave her homeland because of the laws. Its like they cant even live their lives without the govntment breathing down their necks 
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Googoosh is 75 and still going for it! She's been giving the regime a piece of her mind from abroad for years, I guess you could say she's 'streaming' her views on them 
. Nazanin Boniadi's essay is straight fire, btw... like, how can women not be free in Iran? That sounds like a real-life 'Game of Thrones' plot 
. And Arian Moayed wants people to speak up for those being silenced? Like, we get it, dude! We're all about the #FreeIran vibes 
. And Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof are just like, "Hey, we're gonna keep making art even if it kills us 
." The world's watching, so let's see what President Trump's got planned... or maybe he'll just tweet about it again 
And what's even more concerning is that some of these celebrities aren't sure if foreign intervention is the answer... maybe they're right, maybe not, but whats clear is that something needs to be done ASAP.
I mean, what's up with Instagram not allowing users to post videos for more than 60 seconds anymore? Like, can't they just relax and let us share our thoughts without worrying about the clock ticking away? 
It's so frustrating! 
Like, can't we just get some real change going on in Iran already? 
it's like their art is just calling out for freedom too, you know? And these celebrities are speaking truth to power in their own way, even if it's just through social media... I wish more people would do that instead of just sitting back 
! 
Googoosh and Nazanin Boniadi are total bosses for speaking truth to power 
, I'm so inspired by Arian Moayed's words about standing up for the silenced 
. The situation in Iran is crazy 
, poverty, blackouts, and water shortages are like, no joke 
! Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof are true heroes for keeping it real with their art 
. Can't wait to see what the international community does next 
... maybe some world leaders will finally listen 
? 
. Celebrities like Googoosh and Nazanin Boniadi are speaking truth to power 
.
, shows that there are still many Iranians who care deeply about what's happening in their country. And let's be real, the current government's response has been pretty brutal 
. I think we need more voices like theirs and more international support to help bring about change.
. Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof are continuing to create works that reflect the tense political climate in Iran, even if it means facing arrest and censorship 
. Their bravery is an inspiration to many.
this is so sad 
, people suffering in Iran for years and no one seems to be doing anything about it 
. celebrities speaking out takes courage but more needs to happen 
️
. Googoosh's bravery is truly inspiring, leaving Iran 26 years ago when she was still young and fierce 
this is so frustrating - how can you sit on your hands while people are being silenced and killed in Iran? 
i just wish people would stop blaming the Iranian people for their own government's mistakes... we can't all be expected to be silent about injustice. 
what are we waiting for? 
. Can't they just speak up for those being silenced without pretending to be experts on the situation? And meanwhile, these Iranian filmmakers are still getting arrested left and right... like what's new? 
. And Nazanin Boniadi's essay was super poignant - it's crazy how Iran still hasn't given women the freedom they deserve 
. And don't even get me started on the internet blackout - that's just plain cruel 
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. What's it gonna take? Mass protests? Economic sanctions? Or is it just going to be more of the same? 
. It's also interesting to see how international leaders like Trump are being put under pressure to take action, it could be a game-changer for the people of Iran 
I mean, she's been doing this for years and has seen firsthand how oppressive it is. And now, at 75, she's still going strong! 
️ the protests in iran are getting more and more violent and people are being arrested left and right... the celebrities speaking out is kinda inspiring but also super ironic considering they're all rich and safe now 
meanwhile the majority of iranians are struggling to survive without electricity or water... it's like the government just doesn't care about anyone except themselves