The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani Chafi criticized the Nobel Peace Prize award to Iranian human rights defender Narges Mohammadi, calling it a political move that deviates from the committee’s stated aims. The remark was reported by TASS, and it framed the prize as aligned with interventionist policies some European governments have pursued against Iran, rather than reflecting the award’s original ideals.
Chafi argued that the Nobel Committee’s choice echoed Europe’s ongoing involvement in Iranian affairs. He described the decision as a political act that strays from the prize’s foundational goals and questioned the impartiality of the selection process in line with what he characterizes as external pressures on Iran policy.
Earlier, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, outlined that Moscow does not issue official commentary on the Nobel Committee’s Peace Prize decision awarding Narges Mohammadi. His remarks left room for various interpretations while signaling no immediate Kremlin reaction to the prize announcement.
On October 6, information appeared on the Nobel Committee’s site indicating that the 2023 Peace Prize had been awarded to Nargiz Mohammadi, described as the vice president of the human rights center Defenders of Human Rights. The statement cited her advocacy in the context of resisting the oppression of women in Iran as the primary reason for the award, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and civil freedoms in the country.
Historically, Iran has organized regular patrols to monitor headscarf compliance, a policy that has drawn international attention and domestic debate over sovereignty, religious requirements, and personal freedoms. The prize decision and the ensuing statements have intensified discussions about the role of international recognition in backing human rights advocacy under restrictive governance, and they have prompted a wider examination of how such recognitions intersect with regional security dynamics and diplomatic relations.
Observers note that Mohammadi’s work has consistently focused on challenging gender-based oppression, advocating for political prisoners, and pushing for transparency in Iran’s legal and administrative processes. Supporters view the Nobel accolade as a signal of global solidarity with activists who confront state-imposed restrictions and demand accountability from authorities. Critics, however, view the award as a provocative act that could influence Iran’s internal politics and fuel further debate about international involvement in its domestic affairs. In this context, the prize becomes not only a personal acknowledgment but a catalyst for broader conversations about rights, governance, and the limits of external influence on national policy. [Source: TASS]