Recently, an Iranian male social media influencer based in the United States, Aisan Eslami, used his Instagram platform to incite violence and hatred against a female Iranian influencer living in Dubai, Simin Pourmehr. Then again in a more recent incident, he voiced his support for the Iranian athletes and coach who got arrested for gang rape of Korean woman during Asian Athletics Championships excusing and justifying their act of rape. 

Eslami’s comments laid bare the deep-rooted misogyny, patriarchal control, and toxic masculinity that persist in parts of Iranian society. His call for the men in Pourmehr’s family to “control” her or even resort to violence reveals the dangerous intersection between online harassment, gender-based violence, and the cultural norms that strip women and trans* individuals of their humanity.

Such incitements intensify when women, trans, and queer people behave in ways that challenge patriarchal, cisheteronormative, and paternalistic expectations within families and society. These attitudes not only undermine the sexual autonomy of women and LGBTQ+ individuals by promoting, inciting, glorifying and normalizing rape, but reinforce the idea that their bodies are the property of male relatives—bodies to be disciplined, controlled, or punished under the guise of honor or tradition.

The objectification of women, trans, and queer people facilitates the policing of their bodies and gender expressions. This, in turn, normalizes violence, murder, and social exclusion. The widespread belief that their bodies exist for others’ control and consumption directly erodes their right to pleasure, sexual orientation, emotional expression, and self-determination.

Aisan Eslami is not just an individual actor. He represents a broader, dangerous culture of hegemonic masculinity that often begins with verbal abuse and ends in femicide, transfemicide, and so-called “honor” killings. By leaning on cultural norms that excuse such violence, he not only jeopardizes the safety of Simin Pourmehr but endangers the lives of other women and LGBTQ+ individuals in even more vulnerable situations, encouraging men who view themselves as guardians of family “honor” to commit acts of violence.

This issue also highlights the heightened vulnerability of sex workers, who are often dehumanized and made targets in these misogynistic narratives. In patriarchal societies, sex workers are stripped of personhood and deemed deserving of violence, sexual exploitation and even death. The result is a social structure that renders them disposable and treats violence against them as inconsequential.

Social media platforms must take responsibility for the hate they help amplify. These platforms provide global reach to ideologies that incite real-world violence.

In response to this situation, the Iranian people call on their brothers, sisters and allies in the United States to initiate legal proceedings against Aisan Eslami. We also call on Meta to suspend his account -- which currently has over ten million followers -- for promoting hate and inciting rape and violence, which puts the lives of women, trans, and queer people at risk.

This must serve as a serious wake-up call. Cultural norms that enable gender-based violence—whether online or off—must be scrutinized and challenged.

Action Demanded:

We, the undersigned, call for the immediate and decisive action of the above-mentioned social media platforms and regulatory bodies to address the harmful and dangerous rhetoric propagated by Aisan Eslami. Specifically, we demand:

• For Social Media Platforms: The permanent suspension and removal of all accounts and content belonging to Aisan Eslami that violate community guidelines regarding hate speech, incitement to violence, and the promotion of harmful ideologies.
• For Regulatory Bodies of the US Government: A thorough investigation into Aisan Eslami's activities to determine if they constitute criminal offenses under national and international laws, and to pursue appropriate legal action to hold him accountable for his statements.