Interim Friday Prayer Leader of Tehran: President's Remarks are Sarcastic

The interim Friday prayer leader of Tehran reacted to recent criticisms by Hassan Rouhani against the judiciary and media close to security factions, calling these remarks 'sarcastic' and a result of 'anger.' According to Fars News Agency, Kazem Sedighi said at the end of this week's Friday prayers in Tehran: 'Mr. President made remarks at the inauguration of the press exhibition that were sarcastic. Who are you defending and who are you attacking? Someone who is at the head of the executive branch should not react angrily to issues. He should not speak sarcastically.' On Sunday, November 8, during the opening ceremony of the press exhibition, Hassan Rouhani referred to some media as 'secret police' and stated that these media have gained permanent security margins and are immune from punishment, confiscation, and threats. He also made a veiled reference to the judiciary, saying that 'if the salt becomes corrupt, it becomes difficult.' These remarks provoked a strong reaction from the head of the judiciary, who deemed them 'contrary' and an example of 'slander' and 'defamation,' stating that Mr. Rouhani's remarks also apply to the executive branch, and one could say that 'if the executive branch becomes corrupt, if the government becomes corrupt, and if the president becomes corrupt, it becomes difficult.' However, this was not the end of the matter, as another principlist criticized Hassan Rouhani's statements this time from the pulpit of Friday prayers in Tehran. Kazem Sedighi stated: 'It is a pity that the President maintains decorum and considers all aspects in front of foreigners but speaks differently when attacking insiders, believers, the devout, and servants of the country. It is a pity that Mr. President is confined within a specific faction.' The interim Friday prayer leader of Tehran ultimately emphasized that 'this type of rhetoric is not befitting of a president.' Hassan Rouhani's government is under severe media attacks from outlets like Kayhan, which opposes negotiations and the nuclear agreement. Kayhan has also published ongoing reports since the presidency of Mohammad Khatami, claiming to uncover 'espionage' and 'foreign-affiliated' networks linked to political and media figures critical of the Iranian government. Recently, following the IRGC's arrest of several media activists on charges of facilitating 'American infiltration' in Iran, a report was published accusing some senior officials in the Ministry of Communications of espionage.