Narges Mohammadi, the imprisoned Iranian Nobel peace laureate, has called for an end to war and immediate ceasefire between Hamas militants and Israeli forces.

In a short statement published on Instagram, Mohammadi wrote: “Attacks on innocent people, hostage taking, killing of women, children and non-combatants, targeting of hospitals, missile strikes on residential areas, all have left the world in astonishment, horror and despair.”

Mohammdi slammed “religious tyranny” in Iran, adding that war and despotism are two sides of the same coin as they are both “destructive to humanity.”

Her criticism of the Iranian regime comes as many accuse Tehran of escalating tensions in the region by funding such terrorist groups as Hamas and Hezbollah.

“Lives of innocent civilians must not be sacrificed at the behest of those seeking war,” Mohammdi stressed in her message.

The Nobel peace prize laureate also urged all sides to respect human rights and “create the possibility of peaceful coexistence.”

She voiced optimism that “we can walk the path of peace, equality and freedom” with “the power of global public opinion” and “the international unity of human rights defenders and peacemakers.”

Though some people have praised Mohammadi’s call for peace, a group of activists slammed her on social media for failing to condemn Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack on Israel which claimed the lives of more than 1,400 people and left at least 5,000 wounded.

On October 6, Mohammadi won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. She is now serving a 12-year sentence in Evin prison in the Iranian capital city Tehran.