Dizziness of Conservative Media; Opposition to 'Invasion' of Concerts; Support for 'Breaking the Neck' of Police Commander

The approach of conservative newspapers in response to recent events is noteworthy. On one hand, a newspaper affiliated with the IRGC urges 'self-appointed forces' not to provide 'media fodder for foreigners,' while on the other hand, the official government newspaper attributes the controversial remarks of the police commander of Mazandaran to 'anti-revolutionary media' and considers the aim of publication to be 'destruction.' The 'Javan' newspaper, linked to the IRGC, wrote to plainclothes agents: 'We are no longer in the 1990s where some could exploit security gaps to raid cultural and social venues and provide media fodder for foreigners.' This newspaper, while expressing concern over the actions of 'self-appointed forces,' stated that polarizing society is 'the primary need of anti-revolutionary groups,' as it believes that the 'women, life, freedom' movement is waning and these 'self-appointed actions' will be costly for the regime. The author emphasized that if some individuals from outside continue to feel obligated to disrupt legally permitted programs, 'nothing will remain standing.' Ultimately, this newspaper revealed its opposition to self-appointment, stating, 'Let us remember that this year the country is involved in an important event, such as the elections, and leadership insists on its successful and popular holding.' On the other hand, the media center of the judiciary also announced that following some disturbances at the Vahdat Hall and 'unconventional and deviant actions' during a music concert in this cultural complex, a 'judicial case was immediately filed in Tehran's prosecutor's office.' On the evening of Friday, June 16, individuals referred to by Iranian news agencies as 'unknown identity' attempted to disrupt the concert of the Lian group by storming the Vahdat Hall. According to Mohsen Shariyan, the head of this music group, this action was controlled by the 'timely and rapid response of the Rudaki Foundation's security,' and the perpetrators were 'arrested.' In another case concerning the remarks of the police commander of Mazandaran, the 'Iran' newspaper, affiliated with the government, believes that the remarks of the individual in question were published with the aim of destruction and media exploitation by one of the Persian-language television stations abroad. Iran claimed that by truncating his remarks and distorting their meaning, they alleged that 'unveiled women' were the audience of Hassan Mofakhami's remarks. On this pretext, the author addressed media personnel within the country, stating that they did not even bother to refer to the original source and 'parroted' to 'disturb public opinion.' This article emphasized that 'anti-revolutionary journalists' have become the media basis for some media outlets and reformist journalists. In recent days, a widely circulated video on social media showed Hassan Mofakhami talking to a police officer, who said to him: 'Anyone who wants to create disorder in our province, break their neck according to the law; the response is with me.' This elicited varied reactions, and the first deputy of the judiciary responded that this language 'was not befitting a commander.' Mohammad Mossadegh, however, defended this police commander, stating that his audience was not 'unveiled women' but rather individuals who are troublemakers and those who disrupt security or commit 'armed robberies.' Hamid Rasai, a former member of parliament and a former member of the 'Stability Front,' also tweeted in support of the commander who said to break the necks of violators, stating: 'If I could, I would have honored this commander in Mazandaran and placed a wreath around his neck.' In recent months, officials and institutions of the Islamic Republic have shut down hundreds of businesses, restaurants, recreational centers, sports clubs, tourist complexes, pharmacies, and even doctors' offices to enforce strict mandatory hijab regulations. Despite all these actions, the demand of women to abolish the mandatory hijab law remains strong, and every day we witness the publication of images and reports of civil resistance by women in Iran.