On May 27, 2025, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the French chargé d’affaires in Tehran in a formal diplomatic protest against statements made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The remarks followed the victory of the film It Was Just an Accident at the Cannes Film Festival, which Barrot hailed as a "gesture of resistance against the oppression of the Iranian regime."
The film It Was Just an Accident, directed by Jafar Panahi, won the festival’s highest honor, the Palme d’Or, on May 24, 2025. This marked the second time an Iranian film has claimed this prestigious award, the first being Abbas Kiarostami's Taste of Cherry in 1997. Panahi’s win further cements his status as a prominent figure on the international cinematic stage, having previously been recognized at the Berlin and Venice Film Festivals.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, in his response, condemned Barrot’s statement as "irresponsible and provocative interference." Through a post on the social media platform "X," Araghchi wrote, "Spare us Iranians the lectures. You have no moral authority whatsoever," while also criticizing France's foreign policy, including its stance on the Gaza conflict.
Iranian official media outlets gave contrasting reactions. The state news agency IRNA labeled Barrot’s comments as "baseless accusations" and demanded that France respect the principle of non-intervention. Meanwhile, Mizan News Agency, affiliated with Iran’s judiciary, suggested the award given to Panahi was motivated more by political biases than genuine artistic merit. Conversely, reformist-leaning media viewed the victory as evidence of the strength of Iranian cinema in authentically portraying social realities.
Several human rights activists, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, welcomed the award. In a statement, Mohammadi said Panahi's success represents a dedication to human values and freedom of expression, despite severe domestic restrictions.
Jafar Panahi himself has been banned from making films without government permission since 2009 and was detained in 2022. Nevertheless, he continues to work through independent and limited channels. In his acceptance speech at Cannes, Panahi stated, "It's simple. I'm unable to live here," referring to the pressures he faces in Iran. He also expressed his commitment to return to his home country despite the ongoing risk of imprisonment.
