Prominent Iranian opposition activists and cultural figures have issued a joint statement calling for both Iran and Israel to instate a ceasefire, for cessation of Iran's nuclear program, and for the "authoritarian regime" to step down. The statement, published in the French daily Le Monde [6] June 16, was also released on the X (Twitter [7]) account of its lead signatory, imprisoned human rights advocate and Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi [8]. It is also signed by Nobel Laureate dissident Shirin Ebadi [8], filmmakers Jafar Panahi [9] and Mohammad Rasoulof [9], and attorneys Sadiqeh Vasmaghi [10] and Abdolfattah Soltani [11]. The statement calls for an "end to the devastating war between the Islamic Republic and the ruling regime in Israel—a war that not only destroys infrastructure and the lives of civilians in both territories but also poses a clear threat to the foundations of human civilization."
The statement concludes: "We hold that the current leaders of the Islamic Republic lack the capacity to resolve Iran's domestic crises or its external tensions. The only credible path to preserve this country and its people is for current authorities to step down and facilitate a peaceful transition to authentic democracy."
However, illustrating how demands for regime change are complicated [12] by Israel's war, some opposition figures have been critical of the statement as abetting the aggression. Dissident journalist Mahsa Amrabadi [13] responded on Twitter [14]: "The logical conclusion of such a statement is to accept the legitimacy of the attack, especially when civilian infrastructure and lives of ordinary Iranians are being targeted." She added that such statements serve as "cultural agents" of Israel's "hegemonic plans." (The Wire [15])
