Regime hardliner's controversial Telegram post sparks censure, warnings from Islamic Republic

Iran's Interior Ministry has issued a warning to officials, urging them to refrain from making "harsh remarks that would disrupt cohesion" after a hardline cleric's recent comments were widely interpreted as a criticism of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

“

Currently, the official policy of the regime is that no harsh comments that disrupt cohesion should be made in official platforms and places that represent the official policy of the regime.

Ali Zeynivand, the political deputy at the Interior Ministry, stated that official platforms should not host comments that undermine unity. His remarks followed a Telegram post by cleric Hamid Rasaei, which referenced the "drowned unrighteous son of the biblical figure Noah" under the title "Who Is Worthy of the Position of Leadership?". Both Iran International and The New York Times reported that this post was seen as a veiled critique of Khamenei, suggesting he might be the "wayward son" of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Rasaei, a known critic of Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who was endorsed by Khamenei, later denied his message was aimed at the ayatollah. He claimed to be an early supporter of Khamenei.

“

Familial relations don’t necessarily make for being righteous

These events are being viewed as potential signs of internal divisions within the regime's top leadership. The Interior Ministry's emphasis on cohesion and accountability for actions that undermine it underscores the sensitivity of the situation. Recent weeks have also seen conservative media outlets, like the Khorasan newspaper, publishing critical articles about the state broadcaster for amplifying divisive rhetoric. Hardline MP Ali Khezrian also accused Khorasan of aiding foreign adversaries after it published footage of a petrochemical facility.

“

The Iranian Broadcasting Corporation itself should be the axis of cohesion, and it is currently the axis. In any case, any move that undermines cohesion in these circumstances is ultimately useless and must be held accountable.