In Iran, hardline clerics have called for a one-day strike in protest against the publication of a 65-year-old cartoon from an American newspaper, which they claim insults the founder of the Islamic Republic. The Special Clerical Court, which issued an order to close the Hayat-e No newspaper today, states that this 1937 cartoon is an insult to Ayatollah Khomeini, who passed away ten years after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The cartoon depicts a bearded man in a turban, representing a U.S. Supreme Court judge, crushed under a large shoe. However, Iranian clerics argue that the man resembles Ayatollah Khomeini. The Hayat-e No newspaper issued a statement on its website apologizing for any misunderstanding that may have arisen from the publication of this cartoon. The statement also explained that the newspaper staff did not intend to insult anyone and that the cartoon was not related to Iran. Newspaper officials stated that Hayat-e No would remain closed for two days in respect for public opinion, and publication would resume on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the state news agency IRNA reports that the judiciary has ordered another publication to be closed for an unspecified period. The reformist newspaper Bahar, which had recently resumed publication after a two-year suspension for allegedly insulting officials and inciting the public, has been shut down again. Newspaper officials have not commented on this order.
Newspaper Shut Down Over 65-Year-Old Cartoon
The Iranian newspaper Hayat-e No was shut down due to the publication of a 65-year-old cartoon deemed insulting to Ayatollah Khomeini by hardline clerics. The newspaper apologized for the misunderstanding and plans to resume publication after a two-day closure. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between reformist media and conservative clerical authorities in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iranian newspaper Hayat-e No was shut down after publishing a 65-year-old cartoon that hardline clerics deemed insulting to Ayatollah Khomeini. The newspaper apologized for the misunderstanding and plans to resume publication after a two-day closure.
- The cartoon in question depicts a bearded man under a shoe, which clerics argue resembles Khomeini.
- Another reformist newspaper, Bahar, was also shut down recently for unspecified reasons.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a complex media landscape where reformist outlets often face censorship and crackdowns from conservative authorities, particularly regarding issues related to the Islamic Revolution and its leaders.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%