- By Swati Singh
- Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Actor Mandana Karimi has expressed frustration over the situation in India amid the escalating US-Iran tensions following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint strike by the United States and Israel last week. Born in Iran, the actor clarified on Instagram that she will not move back to the country, revealing she was banned from Iran nearly a decade ago.
In the reel, Mandana Karimi addressed the camera, saying her recent interview had gone viral and she wanted to clarify her statements. She mentioned that while many media outlets have approached her for interviews, her words are often taken out of context and turned into dramatic headlines.
She shared a video on Instagram, saying, "She said, "I have been banned from Iran 10 years ago. I cannot go back to Iran. Yes, I am leaving India; I am moving out of India, but I am not going back to Iran. I am upset at India because for the past few months, I didn't get any support in India, and suddenly, when Khamenei is dead, when Israel and America's name has come into the picture, everyone has an opinion in India. Everyone is on the streets, and they can actually mourn for Khamenei, which I couldn't do it, and I still cannot do it."
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She further added, "I have been banned from Iran 10 years ago. I cannot go back to Iran. Yes, I am leaving India; I am moving out of India, but I am not going back to Iran. I am upset at India because for the past few months, I didn't get any support in India, and suddenly, when Khamenei is dead, when Israel and America's name has come into the picture, everyone has an opinion in India. Everyone is on the streets, and they can actually mourn for Khamenei, which I couldn't do it, and I still cannot do it."
Mandana wrote in the caption, "In the caption, Mandana added, “But it should be obvious to anyone with basic understanding that I cannot return to Iran right now — there is war, there is danger, and I am banned. This is not complicated. But many prefer not to listen, because listening does not create sensational headlines. What matters is the truth about the Islamic Republic and why this regime must end. What matters is the voice of Iranians who are risking everything for freedom."
After the US–Israel strikes, Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting several Arab countries in the region. The country is also observing 40 days of public mourning following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several senior leaders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other military officials who were killed in the attack.