Iran-born actress slams Khamenei mourning in India, says ‘Iranians fear regime more than bombings’

Iran-born actress Elnaaz Norouzi has strongly criticised protests held in parts of India mourning the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying many demonstrators “lack accurate information” about his regime.

Khamenei was reportedly killed in a joint US-Israeli strike last week, triggering geopolitical tensions across West Asia. While some Shia groups in India organised demonstrations mourning his death, Elnaaz publicly opposed the protests, questioning why people were supporting a leader she described as oppressive.

Speaking in an interview with ANI, Elnaaz said, “It is very sad. But I think this is happening only because they do not have the information... They do not know what atrocities this person (Khamenei) had committed in the name of religion. He had killed so many people. They do not know this. They just know that he's a religious leader, and they blindly follow him.”

The actress, who was born in Iran, later moved to Germany before establishing her career in India, has been vocal about human rights concerns in Iran.

‘There is no freedom of speech in Iran’

Elnaaz said she is able to speak openly only because she lives outside Iran.

“When there is no freedom of speech in a country, then all this happens. I can do all this because I live in a country now where I am safe, where I can talk openly and say what is going on in Iran. Unfortunately, those who are in Iran cannot do this because if they say anything against the government, they will go to prison.”

She also made serious allegations about prison conditions:

“There are so many stories that have come over the years about what is going on in the prisons—they are raping women, they are hurting the political prisoners.”

‘The Iranian people don’t want a nuclear bomb’

Addressing the broader conflict, Norouzi argued that the current war stems from long-standing tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

“Every life that is lost is a loss, especially if it is the lives of children. Unfortunately, in war all this happens, so there should be no war. But you must also see how the war happened: there is a regime that has been saying 'Death to America' for 47 years, 'Death to Israel' for 47 years, and is secretly making a nuclear bomb which could be very dangerous for America, Israel, and the rest of the world.”

She questioned the purpose of Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions, “Why do you need a nuclear bomb? You want to wipe off America, you want to wipe off Israel; you don't care that your own people are suffering right now while you are making the nuclear bomb.”

Norouzi further alleged that state funds were being used to support regional proxy groups, “You use all of the monies that you have to make this nuclear bomb; you use all of the monies that you have for your proxies who are Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis just so they can attack your enemy who doesn't even do anything to you.”

The actress maintained that responsibility for the conflict lies with Iran’s leadership.

“This war is on the shoulders of the regime because America and Israel have been saying for years that they want a deal—stop the missiles, stop the nuclear [program]. The Iranian people also don't want the nuclear bomb. We don't want that. So why are you making it?”

She added, “The war started because of that—they did not agree. They would rather put their people's lives in jeopardy rather than saying ‘okay, we will make a deal with you.’ Your ego and your hate for America is so much bigger than the lives of your own people.”

‘Iranians fear the regime more than bombings’

In one of her strongest remarks, Norouzi claimed that ordinary Iranians are more afraid of their government than of airstrikes.

“The Iranian people are more afraid of the regime there than of the bombings and missiles.”

She described a deeply emotional reality, “Iranians are very afraid of the regime, but if you look now, there are so many videos that are so hurtful; if you see, they are taking videos while bombing is happening in front of them, but they are so happy because they know that those who are living there [the regime] are dying now and they will get their freedom.”

“Think about how you can be happy when your country is being bombed. What level have you reached where that is a matter of joy for you?”

Rising tensions in West Asia

The reported US-Israeli strikes allegedly killed Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials, with explosions reported in Tehran and other cities. Iran later retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting US assets and regional allies, escalating tensions across West Asia.