Iranian-born Bollywood actor Mandana Karimi has publicly praised former U.S. President Donald Trump following reports of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Karimi, who has been an outspoken critic of Iran’s ruling establishment, expressed support for recent U.S.-Israel actions involving Iran. In a post shared on her Instagram Stories, she commended Trump and compared his role to that of Cyrus the Great, the ancient Persian ruler widely regarded as a national hero.
“Iranians Will Remember You Like Cyrus the Great”
Sharing a photograph of Trump, Karimi wrote:
“Dear Mr President, Iranian people will remember you the way Israel remembers Cyrus the Great.”
Cyrus II, commonly known as Cyrus the Great, founded the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BC, establishing one of the largest empires of the ancient world. He is remembered for his policies of tolerance toward different cultures and religions, and is particularly revered in Jewish history for ending the Babylonian captivity.
By drawing the comparison, Karimi appeared to characterize Trump’s role as that of a liberator in the current geopolitical context.
Mandana’s Longstanding Criticism of the Iranian Regime
Born and raised in Tehran before relocating to India in her twenties, Karimi has frequently used her social media platforms to support protests against Iran’s leadership. In a previous interview with NDTV, she stated that Iranians have protested the regime for years, often at great personal cost.
“For years, people inside Iran have protested with our bare hands. We have lost people. We have lost mothers, kids, universities — the list just goes on and on. No one celebrates deaths lightly,” she said.
Career Background
Karimi began her professional life as an air hostess before moving to Mumbai in 2010 to pursue modeling. She later transitioned into acting, appearing in films such as Roy, Bhaag Johnny, Main Aur Charles, and Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3. She also gained popularity through reality television, featuring on Bigg Boss 9 and Lock Upp.
Her recent comments have generated strong reactions online, with supporters and critics debating both her stance and the broader geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
