Iranian Film Body IIFMA Supports Targeted Actions Against Government and Advocates for Civilian Safety
Iranian Filmmakers Association Endorses Targeted Actions Amid Escalating Conflict
The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association (IIFMA) has voiced its support for targeted attacks on government officials in Iran following a military operation conducted by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic regime on Saturday.
In a statement, IIFMA condemned the regime’s harsh responses to pro-democracy protests, which intensified in January. They highlighted that Iran’s “defenseless citizens” had no choice but to seek urgent humanitarian intervention from the international community.
Reports estimate that approximately 30,000 individuals have died at the hands of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who opened fire on crowds attempting to disperse protests on January 8 and 9.
“For decades this regime has squandered national wealth on nuclear and military infrastructure while imposing harsh sanctions that have devastated the populace,” the statement read. IIFMA was established by exiled Iranian cinema professionals in response to the 2022 Woman Life Freedom movement, which gained momentum following the killing of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
The statement also criticized Iran’s recent missile strikes on Gulf states, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, suggesting these aggressive actions indicate the regime’s diminishing control over power.
IIFMA urged the international community to uphold Iran’s sovereignty while prioritizing the protection of its citizens, stating, “We advocate for targeted actions against government officials and oppressive agents while avoiding harm to innocent civilians. It is essential to put an end to this archaic cycle of patriarchal violence.”
The association expressed deep concern for the lives of prisoners involved in the ongoing Revolution and warned against the regime’s deceitful strategies that could lead to events reminiscent of the 1978 Cinema Rex tragedy in Abadan, where an arson attack by extremists resulted in the deaths of up to 470 people.
The infamous incident is historically viewed as a catalyst for the 1979 Iranian Revolution that established the current regime. Despite the subsequent revelation that Islamic revolutionaries were behind the attack, initial claims of a false flag operation orchestrated by the Shah’s secret police significantly influenced public sentiment at the time.
The IIFMA statement was released during a rapidly evolving day in which the U.S. and Israel launched hundreds of missiles at strategic targets in Iran. This operation followed a pre-recorded message from former President Donald Trump, who indicated that the action aimed to curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions and promote regime change.
Later that day, Trump confirmed reports from Israel regarding the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following a barrage of at least 30 strikes on his compound; however, Iranian officials have refuted these claims.
This surprise military operation has garnered a mixed response, particularly within the United States, where some have expressed anger that Trump undertook the actions without congressional consultation. There are rising global concerns that the conflict could escalate, posing significant risks across the Middle East.
“In these challenging times, it is only through united resistance against theocracy that we can hope to end violence and forge a path toward lasting peace and freedom,” IIFMA concluded. “True peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is built upon the foundation of genuine liberty and dignity for all.”
