Nazanin Boniadi, a British-Iranian actress, recently criticized progressive activists for their apparent silence regarding the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses prior to the military actions led by President Donald Trump against Iran.
During an appearance on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” the “Rings of Power” actress discussed the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the leadership void following the U.S.’s targeted eliminations of Iranian leaders.
While acknowledging concerns that a threat similar to ISIS could emerge in Iran, Boniadi pointed out that many human rights groups and advocates only began to address the issue of civilian casualties after the U.S. military actions commenced.
Boniadi expressed her frustration, saying, “I’m hearing from many of my colleagues in the entertainment industry expressing sympathy, but my question is, where was this concern weeks ago when the Iranian regime was responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of its own citizens? This regime has been ignoring international law for decades.”
Jake Tapper observed that international progressive activists have largely been quiet about Iran’s human rights abuses, even after the country launched numerous missile and drone attacks on other Muslim-majority nations as retaliation.
Tapper questioned the lack of response, stating, “If any other nation acted in this way, there would likely be massive protests and public outcry. Yet, when Iran does it, the progressive community seems largely silent. What’s your take on that?”
“Look, in 1979, progressives world over, including in Iran, were all too willing to sacrifice women‘s rights, LGBTQ+ rights and every other basic human rights at the altar of anti-imperialism. Are we going to do the same in this moment? Are we really caring more about whose hands are on the trigger, or are we going to care about human lives, civilian lives?” Boniadi answered.
“This is a regime that has violated human rights,” she continued. “International law has wreaked havoc on the region, domestic oppression, transnational repression, hostage diplomacy, destabilizing the region. And now, it’s killing fellow Muslims in neighboring countries. Where is your outrage? Where are the college campuses?”
Boniadi, whose family fled Tehran for England following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has been a longtime supporter of Iranian protesters and has previously used her career to highlight atrocities conducted by the Iranian regime.
During the Academy Women’s Luncheon in 2022, she appealed to several Oscar-winning Hollywood figures to show support for female protesters in Iran following the death of a 22-year-old after she was arrested for wearing her hijab too loosely.
“We owe it to our counterparts in Iran to stand with them as they fight for their most basic human rights,” Boniadi said.
