Iranian-German actor Elnaaz Norouzi has doubled down on her views about Iran’s identity, saying, “Like India, Iran had people from different religions, cultures and communities living there. It was diverse.”
“Iran was never an Islamic country. People want democracy,” she further said, in a candid interview with Bombay Times. Her remarks, delivered without hesitation, have once again stirred debate online, particularly among diaspora communities and political commentators.
What exactly did she say about Iran’s history?
Elnaaz Norouzi anchored her argument in the country’s pre-Islamic past. “Iran was Persia, and Persia was Eurasian. Iran was primarily Zoroastrian and was never an Islamic country,” she said.
Drawing parallels with India’s pluralistic fabric, she added, “Just like in India, Iran had people from different religions, cultures and communities living there.”
She also stressed that earlier Iranian society allowed greater personal freedom. “It was not just for Muslims. You were free to express yourself and dress as you pleased. Iran needs democracy to go back to those times,” she said.
How does she describe the current political system?
Norouzi did not mince her words when speaking about the post-1979 structure. “People want democracy, not extremism,” she said, drawing a clear line between citizens and the ruling establishment.
She described the system as layered and interconnected. “Iran is complex. What the Islamic Republic has done in Iran is not just create one Nicolas Maduro or Saddam Hussein. There is the supreme leader there are people and parties under him, Hezbollah, there is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), there is the Basij. They support and back the Houthis, Hamas. They are all intertwined.”
At the same time, she expressed faith in younger generations. “The Gen Z knows exactly what’s right for them,” she said, adding that some older Iranians admit, “We had it so good during the times of Shah. It was secular and diverse.”
Why does she say she cannot return to Iran?
Norouzi admitted that her outspokenness comes at a cost. “I cannot set foot in Iran. If I do, I think they will kill me,” she said.
Reflecting on decades of unrest, she added, “The conflict has existed for over 40 years. I remember everything.” Her comments come amid continuing tensions linked to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the aftermath of the 2022 protests.
Despite criticism, she has not softened her tone.
How does her global career shape her perspective?
Born in Iran, raised in Germany and now working extensively in India, Norouzi operates across cultures. Many viewers recognise her from the series Tehran, which touches on geopolitical tensions in the region.
Her lived experience, she suggests, informs her belief that Iran’s story is bigger than its current leadership. “Iran needs democracy to go back to those times,” she said, referring to what she sees as a more secular and diverse era.
