Taraneh Alidoosti, Protesting Actress: My Passport is with the Ministry of Intelligence; I Will Not Leave Iran

Taraneh Alidoosti, an actress supporting protesters and opposing mandatory hijab, announced that her passport has been confiscated by the Ministry of Intelligence. This well-known actress wrote on the social media platform Threads on Saturday, July 8: "I am in Iran. My passport is with the Ministry of Intelligence." She emphasized that even if her passport was not confiscated, she would not leave Iran: "I wouldn't go even if it wasn't confiscated." Alidoosti also mentioned the seizure of her personal belongings, stating: "It has been six months since they took everything I had." In response to one of her followers on Threads, she described the government's actions as illogical and aimed at intimidation, writing: "They take whatever they can. It doesn't have any specific logic. They just want to be scary." This critical actress, who openly supported protesters during last year's nationwide protests and removed her hijab, was arrested on December 17 and was temporarily released on bail of one billion tomans after three weeks. Many artists, athletes, and cultural figures supporting the protesters have faced punitive actions from the Islamic Republic in recent months. Some have been banned from working, trading, and leaving the country, while many others have been summoned and arrested by security agencies. The organization 'Free Muse', which advocates for artistic freedom and cultural diversity worldwide, reported in its annual report an increase in the Iranian government's restrictions against artistic freedom regarding social issues, especially women's rights. According to 'Free Muse', at least 97 artists have been arrested in Iran since last September, of which 46 have been released. However, according to this freedom of expression organization, the Iranian government's strict control over cultural and artistic expression has not prevented the publication of works supporting women's rights and the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement in Iran. The annual report on 'Artistic Freedom in the World' indicates the continuation of censorship and systematic restrictions in Iran. Continued restrictions on actors opposing mandatory hijab; attacks from Kayhan and bans on participation in cinematic works. Hamid Rasayi called for Taraneh Alidoosti to be 'executed'. Government media attacks on actors opposing mandatory hijab with new accusations; 'hypocrite', 'promoter of corruption', 'unforgivable'. Reactions to the failure of the sexual harassers' lawsuit against Iranian actors; a significant victory for women in Iran has been recorded.