People and media in Iran have been shocked by the stabbing death of director Dariush Mehrjui and his wife, Vahideh Mohammadifar, in their home near Tehran.

Local law enforcement authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths, with the motive for the killings yet to be determined.

On Saturday evening, the police said the pair were stabbed to death in the neck and body in a gruesome incident involving multiple individuals.

Mona Mehrjui, the daughter of the director, found their bodies when she visited her father's home on Saturday night in Karaj, approximately 30 kilometers west of the capital, Tehran.

Mohammadifar had recently reported a burglary outside their home and direct threats from an individual brandishing a knife. She had also contacted the police regarding her concerns.

Mehrjui's notable stance against censorship and his vocal opposition to security measures imposed on Iranian cinema were well-documented. In a video message addressing the cancellation of the screening of his film La Minor, he asserted, "I can no longer endure this. I will mobilize and, alongside my team, stage a protest at the Ministry of Culture. I am ready to fight."

He was a renowned figure in Iranian cinema and was widely recognized for his contributions as a filmmaker and screenwriter. He was a pivotal figure in the Iranian New Wave cinema and was celebrated for his works, including The Cow, Mr. Naive, The Postman, The Cycle, Hamoun, Leila, and Pari.