Screenwriter of Oscar-nominated Iranian drama It Was Just an Accident arrested in Tehran

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Associated PressFebruary 1, 2026 at 08:27 PM

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Mehdi Mahmoudian, a screenwriter for the Oscar-nominated Iranian drama *It Was Just an Accident*, was arrested in Tehran on Saturday, weeks before the Academy Awards. The reason for his arrest is currently unknown. Mahmoudian's arrest occurred days after he and 16 others signed a statement condemning Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iranian regime's crackdown on demonstrators. Two other signatories of the statement, Vida Rabbani and Abdullah Momeni, were also arrested. Jafar Panahi, the director of *It Was Just an Accident*, denounced Mahmoudian's arrest, highlighting his role as a human rights activist. *It Was Just an Accident* is nominated for Best Screenplay and Best International Film at the upcoming Oscars.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Academy Awards 40% France 40% Vida Rabbani 50% Abdullah Momeni 50% Islamic Republic 60% Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 60% Iran ×270% Tehran 70% Jafar Panahi ×270% It Was Just an Accident ×580% Mehdi Mahmoudian ×590%

Keywords

arrest 100% iranian drama 90% it was just an accident 80% mehdi mahmoudian 70% screenwriter 70% human rights activist 60% islamic republic 60% political crackdown 50% oscars 50% jafar panahi 40%