A slip of the tongue against Khamenei brings down an Iranian official: The full story
Iranian state television issued an immediate decision to dismiss a manager at one of its regional stations, following a widely controversial incident in which a reporter "slip of the tongue" during a live broadcast uttered a slogan hostile to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei instead of the usual traditional slogans for such occasions.
Details of the incident in Sistan-Baluchistan
The incident occurred during live coverage of celebrations commemorating the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Sistan-Baluchistan province in southeastern Iran. Journalist Mosab Rasouli was reporting on the arrival of celebrants and the chants of the crowds on Wednesday. In the fervor, while chanting revolutionary slogans, the reporter shouted "Death to Khamenei" instead of the usual protocol slogans like "Death to America" and "Death to Israel.".
Although the journalist quickly rectified the situation and later posted a video in which he offered a formal apology, describing what happened as an unintentional "slip of the tongue" resulting from the pressure of live broadcasting, and denouncing what he described as the exploitation of the mistake by "enemies of the revolution," the official reaction was firm and swift.
Punitive measures and strict oversight
The state broadcaster announced in a statement that the error that occurred on the network necessitated strict disciplinary measures to ensure "professional discipline and safeguard the reputation of the media." The decisions included:
- The program director of the channel in question should be dismissed immediately.
- The broadcast operator and the broadcast manager have been suspended from work.
- Other employees deemed responsible for the negligence were referred to a disciplinary committee.
These measures reflect the extreme sensitivity with which official institutions in Iran deal with the image of the Supreme Leader, as any tampering with it, even by mistake, is considered a crossing of red lines that warrants immediate accountability.
The geographical and political context of the event
This incident is particularly significant given its location in Sistan-Baluchistan province. This region is one of the most sensitive in Iran's geopolitical landscape, with a predominantly Sunni population and frequent tensions between residents and the central authorities. The province is often the scene of protests related to living conditions and discrimination, making any anti-regime chant emanating from it—even if accidental—carry deeper political implications in the eyes of observers.
The significance of slogans in Iranian political culture
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the slogans "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" have formed a cornerstone of the Iranian regime's media and political discourse. These slogans are chanted ritually during Friday prayers and official gatherings. Therefore, the reversal of this slogan, now directed at the highest levels of the political establishment via state television, represents a significant embarrassment for the regime, especially given the current tense atmosphere in the country.
Background of the protests and the internal situation
This event comes at a time of internal turmoil in Iran, where the country has faced unprecedented waves of protests that have erupted in the past and resulted in casualties. Authorities in Tehran have acknowledged deaths during these events, accusing foreign entities of instigating the unrest. In this tense context, Iranian authorities are attempting to impose strict censorship on the media to prevent any dissenting voices or errors that could be interpreted as support for the anti-government movement.
