Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American activist, accused the American left and some Western public figures of an "ideological silence" as Iran confronts mass protests reportedly met with deadly force. Rights groups say thousands have been killed, with some estimates above 3,000, while Tehran has imposed a near-total internet blackout. Alinejad warned that framing protesters’ demands as foreign plots aids the regime and endangers lives. Meanwhile, former President Trump proposed a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran and warned Tehran it may be crossing red lines.
Masih Alinejad Rebukes Western Left Over Silence As Iran Protests Turn Deadly
Iranian civil rights activist Masih Alinejad attends a nightcap session titled "Rebels With a Cause: Voices of Civil Resistance" at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 17, 2024.
Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad sharply criticized the Western left and liberal figures for what she called an "ideological silence" as Iran faces one of its most violent protest movements in years.
Speaking Tuesday on Fox & Friends, Alinejad—who has long been a target of Tehran for her activism—said many Western activists and celebrities who vocally support "Free Palestine" causes have been conspicuously quiet while Iranian security forces have moved to suppress mass demonstrations.
Iranians block a street while gathering during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9.
"The silence of the left and liberals in America and Europe is not an accidental silence. It’s an ideological silence," Alinejad said. "It will expose their hypocrisy. It will expose how they sympathize with our killers, with Islamist terrorists."
What’s Happening in Iran
Iranian rights groups report that security forces have used lethal force against protesters during widespread anti-government demonstrations, with some estimates placing the death toll above 3,000. The government has also severely restricted public internet access, creating a near-total communications blackout that has made independent verification difficult and left families unable to contact loved ones.
Alinejad warned that Western narratives portraying protesters' calls for regime change as a foreign plot—blaming outside actors such as Israel or U.S. political figures—play into the hands of the Islamic Republic and can endanger demonstrators on the ground.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei speaks in Tehran, Iran, on Jan 3.
International Response
On Monday, former President Donald Trump announced a proposal to impose a 25% tariff on trade with any country that continues doing business with Iran. He also said Iran is "starting to" cross red lines in its treatment of protesters and that the U.S. is considering "very strong options."
Alinejad urged Western public figures and activists to explicitly support Iranian protesters and warned that those who remain silent will ultimately be judged by history.
Context: The protests have been driven by public anger over political repression and economic decline, including a falling currency and worsening living conditions.
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