Nobel Laureate Urges Ceasefire Between Iran and Israel

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi is urgently calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, warning of a rapidly escalating conflict that threatens regional and global stability. From Iran, Mohammadi detailed the devastating impact of the recent hostilities, reporting mass displacement of Iranian citizens and significant damage to essential infrastructure, exacerbating an already dire economic situation. She estimates millions have been forced to leave their homes.

Mohammadi, recognized in 2023 for her tireless advocacy for women’s rights and human rights within Iran – work that has resulted in over 36 years of imprisonment and ongoing legal risk – released an exclusive statement to TIME, emphasizing the scale of destruction already mirroring a prolonged conflict. She was briefly furloughed from prison in December 2024 for medical reasons.

The laureate is appealing to fellow Nobel laureates, human rights organizations, and global citizens to leverage their influence and amplify calls for peace. She specifically urged them to utilize “all your individual, collective, and institutional capacities” to support an immediate ceasefire. Mohammadi, along with fellow Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi and other prominent Iranian voices, recently co-authored an op-ed demanding a halt to Iran’s uranium enrichment program and an end to the attacks.

The current conflict stems from Israel’s recent attack on Iran, intended to prevent the country from developing nuclear capabilities. Retaliatory missile strikes from Iran into Israel have resulted in numerous casualties – hundreds in Iran and at least 24 in Israel, according to reports.

Mohammadi acknowledges the personal risk associated with publicly opposing the war, stating she could be returned to prison, but remains undeterred. Her statement paints a grim picture of a conflict spiraling out of control, warning that the potential targeting of Iran’s nuclear facilities adds a terrifying dimension to the crisis. She fears the conflict will not remain localized, but will spread, engulfing the entire world.

Mohammadi’s plea is a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and a desperate call for international intervention to prevent further escalation. It’s a sobering assessment, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic solutions before the situation deteriorates further and the region – and potentially the world – is plunged into a wider, more devastating war. Her courage in speaking out, despite the personal consequences, underscores the gravity of the situation and the importance of prioritizing peace.