Jafar Panahi on Iran's 'Weapons of War' Against Its People

While in Los Angeles for the Academy Awards campaign, renowned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has turned his focus from cinema to the violent reality unfolding in his homeland. In a recent interview, the director delivered a stark condemnation of the Iranian regime's brutal tactics against its own citizens.

Panahi, who has never stopped criticizing the government of the mullahs, described the recent days of repression as a calculated use of military force. His words carry the weight of a filmmaker who has personally experienced the regime's wrath, offering a chilling perspective on the current crisis from afar.

Jafar Panahi's presence outside Iran is directly tied to his latest film's journey to the Academy Awards. The filmmaker is engaged in the official campaign circuit, a process that requires international travel and promotion. This unique position allows him a platform to speak directly to a global audience about the situation in Iran.

His interview with the French publication Le Figaro was conducted during this promotional tour. The timing is significant, as the glamour of the Oscars contrasts sharply with the grim reality he describes. Panahi uses this international spotlight not just to promote his art, but to bear witness to the suffering of his people.

• International travel for Oscar campaign
• Interview with Le Figaro publication
• Using global platform for advocacy
• Contrast between Hollywood glamour and Iranian reality

In his interview, Panahi made a direct and powerful accusation against the Iranian government. He stated that the regime is employing weapons of war to suppress its own population. This is not a metaphor for political pressure, but a literal description of the violent means being used to crush dissent.

The filmmaker's description paints a picture of a state willing to use extreme violence to remain in power. The phrase "coûte que coûte"—at any cost—underscores the regime's determination, even as it faces widespread opposition from its citizens. Panahi's testimony suggests the repression is systematic and severe.

Pour se maintenir coûte que coûte, le régime iranien utilise des armes de guerre contre son peuple.

This statement encapsulates the core of his message: the Iranian government is treating its people as enemy combatants in a war for political survival.

Jafar Panahi is not a newcomer to the conflict with the Iranian authorities. His career has been defined by a courageous commitment to truth-telling through cinema, a stance that has come at a great personal cost. He has been a persistent critic of the mullahs' regime for decades.

His dissent has led to severe consequences, including periods of imprisonment and a ban on filmmaking and leaving the country. Despite these restrictions, Panahi has continued to create and speak out, often finding ways to circumvent the official prohibitions. His current ability to be abroad for the Oscars is itself a notable circumstance.

The filmmaker's history adds profound credibility to his current statements. He speaks not as an outside observer, but as someone who has directly faced the regime's mechanisms of control and punishment.

Beyond the political analysis, Panahi's interview centers on the human tragedy. He refers to the sanglante répression—the bloody repression—of recent days, highlighting the physical violence and loss of life. His words shift the focus from abstract political struggle to the concrete suffering of individuals.

By describing the regime's actions as the use of weapons of war, Panahi emphasizes the scale and severity of the violence. This is not crowd control, but a military-style operation against civilians. The imagery is stark and intended to convey the gravity of the situation to an international audience that may be distracted by other news.

The filmmaker's testimony serves as a direct account from someone with deep ties to the country, providing a perspective that is both personal and authoritative. It is a plea for the world to pay attention to the human cost of the regime's fight for survival.

Jafar Panahi's interview from the Academy Awards campaign trail is more than a political statement; it is a piece of testimony. He uses his international platform to describe a regime that has chosen to wage war on its own people to maintain power. His words bridge the gap between the world of cinema and the brutal reality of political repression.

The key takeaway is the starkness of the accusation: the Iranian government is not merely suppressing dissent but is using military-grade force against its citizens. Panahi's long history of dissent lends weight to this claim, positioning him as a credible witness to the regime's tactics.

As the world watches the Oscars, Panahi reminds us that for many artists and citizens in Iran, the stakes are far higher than a golden statue. Their fight is for the right to speak, to live, and to resist without facing the full force of a state's military might.