Exiled cartoonists give a voice to Iran's silenced millions 12.04.2026

Exiled Iranian cartoonists Mana Neyestani, Sanaz Bagheri, and Kianoush Ramezani are using satire to provide a voice for millions inside Iran who are silenced by the regime. Working from Paris, Amsterdam, and Helsinki respectively, these artists create biting critiques of the Iranian government, often targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and addressing issues like the US-Israel bombing of Iran and internet censorship. Neyestani's work, which led to his exile in 2006 after a controversial cartoon, highlights the "dilemma created by the regime" and the difficulty of navigating the political landscape. Despite facing harassment and attempts to silence them through social media manipulation, these cartoonists continue to use their art, disseminated through platforms like Instagram, to inform and connect with their audience, especially in light of the near-total internet shutdown affecting 90 million Iranians since February.


















