CALIFORNIA — 3/5/2026
Iranian activist Mersedeh Shahinkar, who lost an eye after being shot by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard during the 2022 protests, has spoken out against former Vice President Kamala Harris’s response to recent military strikes in Iran.
Shahinkar currently lives in California and participated in the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest movement in Iran.
Criticism of Kamala Harris's Statements
Speaking with California Post, Shahinkar argued that many Western politicians have not clearly demonstrated support for the democracy movement in Iran.
Previously, Kamala Harris had issued a statement on the airstrikes after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the military strikes. Harris said it was a conflict the American people did not want and expressed concern about U.S. troops being put in harm’s way.
Perspectives From Iranian Activists
Shahinkar argued that the Iranian people have spent years trying to change their country through peaceful and democratic means.
She said many Iranians feel the international community has not paid sufficient attention to their protests and the domestic crackdowns they face.
According to Shahinkar, recent protests in Iran have taken place in multiple cities and received support from the Iranian diaspora abroad.
Personal Experience in the Protests
Shahinkar was severely injured during the 2022 protests and lost sight in one eye. The incident became a symbol of the anti-government protest movement in Iran at the time.
She argued that the experiences of protesters give many Iranians a different perspective on the current situation compared to some Western politicians’ viewpoints.
Debate Over the "No War" Message
Shahinkar said anti-war slogans are something many people support, but she argued that the internal situation in Iran must be considered.
According to her, many Iranians believe that peaceful protests in the past were often met with harsh crackdowns.
The debate surrounding the international response to the situation in Iran continues to attract attention from the Iranian diaspora community as well as political observers.
