Rubio throws weight behind Iran protests – as Tehran blames Trump for escalation

Two prominent Iranian filmmakers, Jafar Panahi and Monhammad Rasoulof, have issued a joint statement on social media today, condemning the violence against protesters.

“Following the presence of millions of Iranians in the streets protesting against the Islamic Republic, the government has once again resorted to its most blatant tools of repression,” the filmmakers wrote.

They added they were “deeply concerned” for the lives of Iranians and called on the international community to keep monitoring the situation and facilitate access to vital information.

“History bears witness that silence today will have regretful consequences in the future,” they wrote.

Panahi is one of only four directors to have won the top prizes of Europe’s three major film festivals, including Cannes, Venice and Berlin. Rasoulof’s film The Seed of the Sacred Fig was nominated for an Oscar last year. 

Panahi has previously served prison sentences in Iran. Rasoulof fled Iran to Germany in 2024.