Ahead of the funeral procession for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei beginning Friday, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council distributed a confidential directive to the country’s media outlets. According to the document, obtained by Iran International, the stated goal is to preserve “national unity” and prevent attention from being diverted from what officials are calling a “historic” event.
1+The directive orders that over the next 48 hours, media must gradually remove complex issues from the news agenda—including implementation of the memorandum of understanding with Islamabad, the Strait of Hormuz situation, and developments in Lebanon.
Media outlets are instructed to stop covering “the destructive role of the Lebanese government” or external solutions to conflicts, and to focus exclusively on describing Khamenei’s legacy and documenting popular solidarity.
1+“Avoid Narratives of Defeat”
The National Security Council emphasized that media must avoid amplifying “internal political disputes” or “factional friction” that could polarize public opinion. Additionally, sharp restrictions were imposed on coverage of political and diplomatic contacts: these will be covered “only when necessary,” with an explicit warning not to make them the focus of discourse and not to echo “rival narratives” speaking of Iranian defeat or retreat.
Security officials clarified that if “harm or aggression” occurs from the country’s enemies during the mourning period, the system will know how to balance continued defense of the state with maintaining the grand ceremonies.