British-Iranian actress asks ‘where is the outrage’ over Iran’s crimes

British-Iranian actress Nazanin Boniadi told progressive activists not to vent anger over the regime’s human rights abuses before President Donald Trump launched a military strike against the country.

The “Rings of Power” actor appeared on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing war against Iran and concerns about the leadership vacuum that has emerged in the country after the United States removed its leaders.

He agrees with concerns that an ISIS-level threat could take over the country, but noted that many human rights activists and organizations did not acknowledge civilian deaths until the United States targeted Iran.

“For people who care about international law like I do, I’m getting a lot of messages from my colleagues in the entertainment industry saying, ‘I’m so sorry for what’s happening to your people right now.’ Thank you, but where were you a few weeks ago when tens of thousands of Iranians were being killed by their own regime?” Boniadi said. “This is a regime that has violated international law for decades.”

Tapper noted that he hasn’t heard “a ton of news” from international progressive activists about Iran’s human rights abuses, even after Iran launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks on other Muslim-majority countries in retaliation.

“I mean, if any other country did this, I think there would be a lot of noise and screaming and huge marches in the streets. Iran is doing this, and in progressive society there really isn’t that consequence. What do you say to that?” Tapper asked.

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The United States launched a series of military strikes against Iran last week. (Francesco Militello Mirto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“Look, in 1979, progressives all over the world, including Iran, were more than willing to sacrifice women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and all other basic human rights on the altar of anti-imperialism. Are we going to do the same now? Do we really care more about whose hands are on the trigger, or do we care more about human lives, civilian lives?” Boniadi answered.

“This is a regime that violates human rights,” he continued. “International law has damaged the region, internal pressure, transnational pressure, hostage diplomacy has destabilized the region. Now it is killing our Muslim brothers and sisters in neighboring countries. Where is your anger? Where are the university campuses?”

Boniadi, whose family fled Tehran to England after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, was a long-time supporter of Iranian protesters and has previously used his career to highlight atrocities committed by the Iranian regime.

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Both Boniadi and CNN host Jake Tapper noted the silence regarding Iran’s retaliatory attacks on countries in the Middle East. (Luis Soto/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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During the Academy Women’s Luncheon in 2022, she called on multiple Oscar-winning Hollywood figures to show support for female protesters in Iran after a 22-year-old was arrested for wearing her hijab too loosely.

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“We owe it to our counterparts in Iran to stand with them as they fight for the most basic human rights,” Boniadi said.

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