Iran has pulled out of the Venice Biennale, the world's most prestigious art event, while engaged in war with the United States and Israel, reducing the number of countries with national pavilions to 100, Ettelaat Online reported on May 5, citing ARTnews.

Organisers of the Venice Biennale said in a statement that Iran would not participate in the 61st International Art Exhibition, themed "In Minor Keys" and curated by Koyo Kouoh, which runs from May 9 to November 22 2026. The withdrawal cut the number of countries with dedicated pavilions at the event from 101 to 100.

No reason has been given by Biennale officials for the cancellation of the Iranian pavilion. On the event's official website, Iran is the only country without an artist listed as a representative, with only Aydin Mehdizadeh-Tehrani named as pavilion commissioner.

The Iranian withdrawal is the latest blow to the Biennale, which opened to media this week amid a storm of controversy and protests. The five-member jury announced its collective resignation last week after stating it would not include any country charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity on the Golden Lion award shortlist, a condition that would have effectively barred Israel and Russia from competing for the prize.

Biennale organisers have said winners of this edition will be selected by public vote in the absence of the jury panel.

The participation of Israel and Russia has triggered widespread protests, with politicians, artists and some participants in the main exhibition section calling on Biennale management to bar the two countries from the event. Management has maintained there is no legal basis to exclude states officially recognised by Italy.

The Venice Biennale is widely regarded as the most influential platform in contemporary art, with national pavilions giving participating countries a stage to project cultural identity to a global audience.

"It has been brought to the Biennale office's attention that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not be present in this edition," organisers said in their statement.