An Iranian director whose film is nominated for an Oscar will not attend next month's Academy Awards in protest at President Trump's travel ban.

Asghar Farhadi hit out at the "unjust circumstances" for refugees and citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries trying to enter the US.

And he said he hoped "the current situation will not give rise to further divide between nations" amid the strict new immigration controls due to last 90 days.

His film, The Salesman, is in the best foreign-language category and he has previously won an Oscar for another Iranian movie, A Separation, in 2012.

Image: Asghar Farhadi will not attend February's Oscars

The US President has barred people from Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Somalia and Sudan in an executive order he says is aimed at protecting Americans from terrorism.


Speaking from Iran, Farhadi said he would not attend the LA ceremony even if the ban was waived for him.

He said the President's order presented "ifs and buts which are in no way acceptable to me even if exceptions were to be made for my trip".

One of the stars of The Salesman, Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti, recently said she would also not go to the Oscars in protest at the tough controls.

She tweeted: "Trump's visa ban for Iranians is racist. Whether this will include a cultural event or not, I won't attend the #AcademyAwards 2017 in protest."

Image: Actor Simon Helberg and wife Jocelyn Towne protested against the travel ban

It comes as stars at the Screen Actors Guild awards in Los Angeles took aim at Mr Trump's sweeping order.

Big Bang Theory actor Simon Helberg held a sign saying "refugees welcome" while his wife Jocelyn Towne had the message "let them in" written across her chest.

British actor Dev Patel said the President's executive order was "horrible" and "divisive".

The Slumdog Millionaire star added: "When I heard the news, it was utterly devastating.

"The first thing that came into my head was the children who arrive on these shores with hope in their hearts.

"I hope something changes and something can be done because it really is terrible."

Patel was nominated for best supporting actor for his performance in Lion, which is about a young Indian boy separated from his family and adopted in Australia.

Image: Julia Louis-Dreyfus told the audience about her immigrant father who escaped the Nazis

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who won the best comedy actress award for her role in Veep, told the ceremony's audience that she was the daughter of an immigrant.

She added: "My father fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France.

"I'm an American patriot and I love this country. This immigration ban is a blemish and it's un-American."

William H Macy won best comedy actor for his work in the US version of Shameless and thanked Mr Trump for "making Frank Gallagher seem so normal".

Image: Riz Ahmed called on Hollywood star to make their voices heard

British actor Riz Ahmed told the SAG Awards' official live stream that he knew people affected by the ban.

Ahmed, whose parents moved to the UK from Pakistan, said: "Now is not a time for escapism.

"If people care about the future of this country and the world ... it's time to make your voices heard."

The words came after Oscar winner John Legend urged Hollywood to stand up against Mr Trump's order.

Read more:

:: Who is affected by Donald Trump's immigration order?

:: Mo Farah - Trump seems to have made me an alien

:: Trump's travel ban leaves passengers stranded

:: In pictures: Protests over Trump's travel ban

:: Showbiz world criticises Trump travel ban

:: Executive powers: What Trump can and can't do