What we are witnessing in Iran is not a series of separate uprisings. It is a continuous, evolving revolution against a system that has ruled through terror, tyranny, corruption and economic failure for forty-seven years.
The massacre of January 2026 is not an anomaly. It is the outcome.
Over 40,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands imprisoned in the last few months, with hundreds of thousands more over the last five decades. Professionals across every sector, including food and hospitality, have been silenced or detained.
Iran stands at a turning point. Following the killing of Ali Khamenei and other senior regime figures in recent US-Israeli strikes, the regime's coercive machine has been severely weakened.
In such vulnerable moments, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi stands out as the only nationally recognised figure with the capacity to advance a secular, democratic transition. His leadership has united Iranians from across the political spectrum around a shared commitment to national unity.
We welcome all Iranians to stand together behind this transitional leadership in the pursuit of a free and democratic Iran.
RESPONSIBILITY TO IRANIAN FOOD AND CULTURE
Iran is one of the world's great agricultural and culinary origins. Its geography, climate and terroir have shaped global food culture. Yet the decay of Iranian agriculture is not a climate inevitability.
It is an act of policy failure and neglect. Decades of mismanagement have driven groundwater collapse, desertification and soil degradation on a vast scale.
Iranian ingredients move through international supply chains while branding and profit accumulate elsewhere. Iran produces around ninety per cent of the world's saffron, much of which is rebranded abroad. The Caspian sturgeon fishery, once producing 25,000 tonnes annually, was driven to near-extinction by decades of state neglect and illegal black market trade. These are only fringe examples of a deeper collapse affecting Iran's entire food and agricultural system.
Across the entire food ecosystem, from farming and production to hospitality, media, branding and education, Iranian professionals are structurally excluded from international networks, recognition and mobility as a result of political isolation.
Many of us have built platforms, businesses and reputations, drawing from Iranian culinary knowledge and culture.
Supporting their struggle is not just political, it is a responsibility to the environment, culture and people behind Iranian food.
OUR POSITION
We stand with every Iranian who has carried the cost of this regime: the families of those killed, the imprisoned and disappeared, those tortured, those forced into exile, and those who have lived under censorship, fear and economic ruin. We stand with the protesters, workers, students, women and minorities who have resisted despite the consequences.
We stand with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and the Lion and Sun, Iran's historic emblem of national sovereignty, as the clearest national path toward a secular and democratic transition.
We do so because we acknowledge this path offers the strongest framework for protecting Iranian people's civil rights and the country's long-term cultural and environmental interests, including its collapsing water system. The Iran Prosperity Plan currently offers the only credible path to recovery.
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has repeatedly committed that any transition must preserve:
- Iran's territorial integrity
- The separation of religion and state
- Equality under the law for all citizens
- Free and democratic elections
Any legitimate political future for Iran must be determined by Iranians through free elections.
A democratic Iran enables its people to protect their land, culture and livelihoods, without fear of repression.
Those of us in the diaspora who have built careers on Iranian food carry a responsibility to the people who created it.
We stand with the people of Iran.
Silence is a position. We have chosen ours.
Long Live Iran
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The signatories:
- Einat Admony, Chef & Restaurateur, Balaboosta (USA)
- Omid Afshar, Digital Creator (USA)
- Kourosh Afshari, Founder, Kombu Heritage (UK)
- Shabi Amini, Food Blogger (UK)
- Ashkan Ashtari, Chef (UK)
- Peyman Darban. Café Owner, White Mulberries (UK)
- Rana Darban, Café Owner, White Mulberries (UK)
- Nicole Dayani, Culinary Educator (USA)
- Nicole Enayati, Chef & Media (USA)
- Banafsheh Farhangmehr, Chef & Restaurateur, Banibanoo (Spain)
- Datis Gol, Brewer and Founder, Shiraz Beer (UK)
- Roozbeh Golshan, Cookbook Writer, Tehran to New York (USA)
- Shayan Ghadimi-Tavassoli, Restrauter, Maison-Mazeh (France)
- Fareed Hashemi, Chef & Food Blogger (UK)
- Javad Javadi, Chef & Content Creator (Australia)
- Sam Kheyri, Baker & Content Creator, Lozeeneh (Canada)
- Kasra Khorramnejad, Drinks & Imports CEO, Salt & Sand (Canada)
- Sara Kiani, Café Owner, Kiani Tea (UK)
- Leili Malakooti, Culinary Educator & Cookbook Author (USA)
- Masrour Makaremi, Founder, Cyrhus Wine (France)
- Noda Marvani, Chef & Restrauranter, Koocha Mezze Bar (UK)
- Ashkan Mortezapour, Food Photographer, Dishtales (Netherlands)
- Sogand Najafnia, Pastry Chef (UK)
- Zachary Neman, Food Content Creator (USA)
- Arsalan Noroozi, Chef & Restauranter, Naeb Restaurant (Canada)
- Shawn Panah, Content Creator & Director (Canada)
- Paris Rezaei, Pastry Chef (USA)
- Alireza Sarrafan, TV Chef & Food Journalist (UK)
- Sana Pishgoo, Pastry Chef & Owner, Shiraz Patiserrie (UK)
- Nima Safaei, Chef & Restauranter (UK)
- Hami Sharafi, Chef & Consultant (UK)
- Dr. Forough Sodoudi, Founder CEO, Dr&Dr Food Lab (Germany)
- Dr. Sahar Sodoudi, Founder CEO, Dr&Dr Food Lab (Germany)
- Hooman Soltani, Chef (Italy)
- Henry Tadevosian, Chef Restauranter & Content Creator, Anais Taste Of Persia (Australia)
- Sanaz Talebi, Food Blogger, (Canada)
- Sam Tavassoli, Chef Restauranter, Maison-Mazeh (France)
- Piers Zangana, Journalist & PR, Susa Comms (UK)
This letter has been organised by Ashkan Ashtari, Piers Zangana, Hami Sharafi and Alireza Sarrafan.
Important disclaimer: This statement reflects the personal convictions of its signatories in their individual categories. Any institutional affiliations are provided soley for identification purposes and do not constitute, imply or represent any endorsement, position or policy of any emplpyer, institution or organisation. Signatories are not acting as representatives of their institutions.
