Iran has abruptly withdrawn from the 61st Venice Biennale, scheduled for May 9–November 22, 2026, reducing the number of participating nations from 101 to 100. The Biennale confirmed the withdrawal in a statement but did not provide a reason; Iran is now the only country listed without any artist representatives, though Aydin Mahdizadeh Tehrani remains listed as the pavilion's commissioner. The announcement comes as the Biennale opens to press amid ongoing controversy over the participation of Israel and Russia, whose pavilions have drawn protests from artists and politicians.
This withdrawal matters because it adds to a cascade of disruptions facing the Venice Biennale, the world's most prestigious recurring art exhibition. The Biennale recently lost its entire jury after it refused to consider nations charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court—a stance that would have excluded both Israel and Russia from awards. With no jury, prizes will now be decided by public vote. Iran's exit further politicizes the event, highlighting how geopolitical conflicts are increasingly shaping international art exhibitions and testing the Biennale's ability to remain neutral.