Iranian movie star, Golshifteh Farahani, who was on her way to Hollywood has been banned from leaving the country.
The 25-year-old actress was to leave Tehran airport on August 19 to discuss a new acting offer in the United States when officials banned her from traveling abroad without giving a reason.
Farahani has previously starred in a Hollywood movie "Body of Lies," alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Russel Crowe.
IRNA speculated the actress was banned from traveling because she was negotiating with the U.S. film industry without a prior permission from Iranian authorities. The news agency said, Iranian actors are required to obtain permission from the country's Culture Ministry before taking up a role in foreign movies.
Other news agencies suggest that Farahani has annoyed the authorities by appearing in "Body of Lies" without the mandatory Islamic dress code, including scarf and long and wide gown to cover her hair and figure.
Farahani is a well-known actress in Iran. In 2006, she won the Golden Seashell at the San Sebastian International Film Festival for the role in an Iranian movie, "Half Moon."
-- Farangiz Najiballah