Minister of Culture: Anti-Revolutionaries Are Not Allowed to Work in Iran

Ali Jannati, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, stated that although "we do not have a specific list of banned authors," he clarified that "anti-revolutionary individuals" are not permitted to publish in Iran. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Mr. Jannati said: "Naturally, anti-revolutionary individuals and those who write against the revolution and the system, who are also notorious and work abroad, do not have publication permits within the country." This statement comes after the Minister had previously mentioned that "in the past, the Ministry of Intelligence had named individuals whose books should not be published," but "it was decided that no book would be rejected based on its author." Ali Jannati emphasized: "If a book does not have issues, it will be granted a permit. We have decided to look at the book, not the author." The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance had also previously stated that the perspective of some former cultural managers towards publishers, writers, and artists was security-oriented or at least dictated by security agencies. Mr. Jannati's recent remarks about the prohibition of activities for "anti-revolutionaries" come at a time when Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, had previously stated that during his administration, "banned authors" became "explicit authors." The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance had previously attributed the responsibility for the banning of authors and journalists to the judiciary.