Mohammad Mahdi Esmaeili
محمدمهدی اسماعیلی
Minister of Culture
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View Timeline →About 300 Iranian filmmakers have 'open judicial cases' following the protests of 2022
Approximately 300 Iranian filmmakers are facing open judicial cases due to their involvement in the 2022 protests against the mandatory hijab and in support of…
Leili Rashidi's Passport and Belongings Seized at Airport
Leili Rashidi, an actress, had her passport and belongings confiscated by security agents at the airport upon returning to Iran from a trip. Her mother,…
Mohammad Rasoulof to Voice of America: I Have Received My Main Award
Mohammad Rasoulof, an Iranian filmmaker, stated he has received his main award at the Cannes Film Festival for his film "The Fig Seed of Temples."…
Mohammad Rasoulof on the Red Carpet; Exiled Iranian Director Cheered at Cannes Festival
Mohammad Rasoulof, an exiled Iranian director, attended the Cannes Film Festival to premiere his film "The Fig Seed of Temples," which critiques the Iranian judicial…
Widespread Reactions to the Statements of the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance; Is Moein Returning to Iran?
The Iranian Minister of Culture stated that there are no obstacles for singer Moein to return to Iran, sparking mixed reactions. While some see this…
Government Aims to Dominate Clothing Market with Code Name 'Chaste Attire'; Parliament Announces Three-Part Plan
The Iranian government is intensifying its efforts to regulate women's clothing under the guise of promoting 'chaste attire', with new legislative initiatives announced by Parliament.…
Continued Reactions from Artists to Employment Bans on Several Actors Opposing Mandatory Hijab
The Iranian government has banned several female artists from acting due to their opposition to mandatory hijab, prompting significant backlash from both male and female…
Ministry of Culture's Move Towards State Control of Journalism; Journalism Conditional on Having a Professional License
The Iranian Ministry of Culture plans to issue professional licenses for journalists, raising concerns among critics who believe this will enable government control over the…
Minister of Culture Calls Prominent Artists 'Flagbearers of the Struggle Against the Islamic Republic' in Protests
The Iranian Minister of Culture has labeled prominent artists who support protests against the Islamic Republic as 'flagbearers of the struggle,' while also announcing new…
New Reaction from the Minister of Culture: 'No Negative Reports' on the Gilan Director Before Recent Incident
The Iranian Minister of Culture denied having prior knowledge of sexual misconduct allegations against Reza Taqati, the dismissed Director General of Culture in Gilan, despite…
Mandatory Hijab; Judiciary Forms Case Against 'Taqche' Employees
The Iranian judiciary has formed a case against employees of the Taqche platform for not adhering to mandatory hijab, following social media posts showing women…
Due to the publication of images of some employees without hijab; the 'Taqche' platform is under pressure from government institutions
The Taqche platform faces pressure from government entities after images of its employees without hijab were published online, leading to the termination of contracts by…
Minister of Culture of the Islamic Republic Commends 'Jamiah al-Mustafa'; Exporting Revolution at the Expense of the Iranian People
The Iranian Minister of Culture praised Jamiah al-Mustafa for its role in promoting the Islamic Revolution globally, while also indicating plans to increase funding for…
Failed Attempt by 'Self-Organized Forces' to Disrupt a Concert at Vahdat Hall
On June 16, unidentified individuals attempted to disrupt a concert by the Lian group at Vahdat Hall but were quickly controlled by security forces. Mohsen…
Response of Pop Music Readers to the Minister of Culture's Statements: Don't Deceive the People
The Iranian Minister of Culture claimed that rumors about the prohibition of pop singers are false, leading to backlash from artists like Reza Sadeghi, who…
The Likelihood of Some Iranian Series Not Being Broadcast Due to Actors' Bans Increases
Iranian media report that some series may not be broadcast due to bans on several actors who supported recent protests. Notable actors like Hamid Farrokhnejad…
Islamic Republic Culture Minister: We Will Not Allow Those Who Remove Their Hijab to Attend Artistic Programs
Iran's Culture Minister announced that artists who remove their hijab will not be allowed to participate in cultural events, following public appearances by several actresses…