Foreign Propaganda Campaign Targets Public Opinion; Media Restructuring Needed to Counter Efforts

Iran’s Supreme Leader Calls for Media Strategy Reform to Counter ‘Enemy Propaganda’

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s media and propaganda structures to counter what he described as an escalating information war against the Islamic Republic. Speaking to thousands of religious admirers and followers of Ahl al-Bayt in Tehran, Khamenei warned that adversaries have launched a sophisticated propaganda campaign aimed at “conquering hearts and minds” of the Iranian people.

During the ceremony, which commemorated the birth of Hazrat Sediqah Tahereh, Khamenei praised the Iranian population for their “national resistance” against what he characterized as persistent efforts to undermine the country’s religious, historical, and cultural identity.

“Today, beyond military conflict, we are at the center of a propaganda and media war with a broad enemy front,” Khamenei stated. “The enemy has understood that this nation will not surrender under military pressure.”

The Supreme Leader’s comments come amid increasing international tensions and ongoing economic sanctions against Iran. His remarks suggest a growing concern about foreign influence operations targeting Iranian society through digital and traditional media channels.

Khamenei specifically highlighted the importance of religious eulogies as a powerful cultural tool and foundation of what he termed “resistance literature.” He emphasized that any movement lacking appropriate cultural and literary expressions will eventually fade away, suggesting that religious ceremonies and traditions serve as vital vehicles for preserving Iranian revolutionary ideals.

“Any thought and movement without appropriate literature gradually disappears,” Khamenei said, praising religious delegations for strengthening this “fundamental necessity” through the transmission of resistance narratives.

The Supreme Leader’s focus on media strategy reflects Iran’s ongoing concerns about Western cultural influence, particularly as internet penetration and social media usage continue to grow among Iran’s predominantly young population. Iranian authorities have long maintained strict controls over media outlets and internet access, citing national security concerns.

In his address, Khamenei also noted how the concept of resistance has expanded beyond Iran’s borders throughout the Middle East region, likely referencing Iran-aligned groups in countries like Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. This regional network, often called the “Axis of Resistance,” represents a cornerstone of Iran’s foreign policy approach.

The religious gathering featured poetry readings and eulogies from eleven participants who praised the Ahl al-Bayt, the family of the Prophet Muhammad revered in Shia Islam. Khamenei offered specific guidance to religious eulogists, instructing them to “explain religious teachings and struggles by citing the lives of the Imams” and to “target the enemy’s weaknesses.”

He also cautioned against allowing pre-revolutionary cultural elements to infiltrate religious gatherings, stating that “a well-crafted lament can have an impact beyond several pulpits,” highlighting the strategic importance he places on religious messaging.

The Supreme Leader’s call for reforming Iran’s media approach comes at a time when the country faces multiple challenges, including economic hardship exacerbated by international sanctions, regional conflicts, and internal political pressures. By framing these challenges within a religious and ideological context, Khamenei appears to be reinforcing the revolutionary narrative that has underpinned the Islamic Republic since its founding in 1979.

Analysts suggest that Khamenei’s focus on media strategy reflects the Iranian leadership’s recognition that modern conflicts are increasingly fought in the information space, where perceptions and narratives can prove as important as conventional military or economic power.