Release and Deletion of a Video on Government Website; 'Irreligiosity' or 'Power Struggle'?

The government information website of Hassan Rouhani deleted a controversial video shortly after its unexpected release regarding 'the implications of Rouhani's meeting with Ayatollah Ali Sistani.' This occurred just a few days after Zarif's resignation in protest against what he called 'the dignity of the Foreign Ministry' and specifically his ignorance of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Iran, the awarding of the 'Zolfaqar Medal' as Iran's highest military honor to Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and coinciding with Rouhani's trip to Iraq. In this video, analysts, whose names were not mentioned, assessed that the meeting between the Iranian president and Ayatollah Sistani, the most powerful and influential Shia religious figure, contained 'three powerful messages to three main audiences.' Of these three messages, the first two are particularly significant; the first message for 'Iraqi leaders' regarding 'Rouhani's considerable power' and the necessity for them not to negotiate with 'military figures,' and the second message to 'Iranian leaders' regarding Sistani's welcoming of Rouhani as 'one of the highest-ranking and most influential religious authorities in Iraq.' In this deleted video, without mentioning the names of 'leaders' from Iraq and Iran or the names of 'military figures' involved in negotiations, it was stated that neighboring country leaders should know 'Rouhani possesses considerable power and there is no need for them to discuss tactical reconciliation with other institutions or military figures; they can do this with Rouhani as the head of the Iranian government.' This 'analysis' was presented by the government information website while Qassem Soleimani has played an important role in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 and has recently become one of the influential figures in the Middle East and its Shia regions, with his performance always praised by Mr. Khamenei. Despite the early deletion of this video, government critics on social media, especially Twitter, reacted to it, assessing Rouhani's trip to Iraq and the video's release as 'the continuation of Rouhani's war over the future leadership of Iran.' Sajjad Moghadamnia, who identifies himself as 'Ahmadinejad's supporter,' wrote on his Telegram channel that Rouhani has 'some personal goals' from this trip, including 'enhancing his political position and that of his government within Iran and the region' and 'weakening the position and status of the Quds Force.' Mehrdad Robani also sarcastically remarked to Rouhani that 'figures like Qassem Soleimani and defenders of the shrine destroyed ISIS in Iraq, while Rouhani boasts about his trip to Iraq. Mr. Rouhani, if it weren't for these military figures, you would have to go to Iraq quietly like your boss.' 'Zero Soldier' also wrote that the mentioned video released by the government information website was 'evidence' that 'there is some malice behind' Rouhani's trip to Iraq. Abu Ammar and the account 'Pa Tharallah' have also demanded that the government 'immediately be accountable for this insulting clip and its publication and deletion.' Mohsen 313 referred to the 'achievements' of Rouhani's trip to Iraq as 'the fruit of the blood of the martyrs of resistance and the heroic leadership of Haj Qassem,' which should be 'remembered.' Abdol-Samad Jafari threatened Rouhani and 'his entire group' that they are 'too small to limit Haj Qassem Soleimani's role outside the borders.' 'Italo' also wrote that the Iranian president's goal of traveling to Iraq is 'internal confrontation in Iran.' Hamid Mohammadi noted that 'simultaneously with Rouhani's presence in Iraq and the celebration of the Resistance Front, a vulgar clip mocking the IRGC was broadcast and was immediately deleted. This lack of coordination indicates the presence of familiar spies, confirming General Soleimani's lack of confidence in coordinating Bashar al-Assad's visit. Curse be upon the hypocritical spies.' Government opponents reacted so harshly to this publication that 'Asid Pouyan,' one of the most extreme Hezbollah users on Twitter, called for them to remain calm. Hamid also liked Asid Pouyan's tweet, stating, 'It was completely a valid point at a time when the liberal government is forced to make agreements with its neighbors, while some familiar faces are trying to sour this sweetness for the nation.' Several other government critics also appreciated Rouhani's trip to Iraq, stating that they have not 'harbored animosity' towards him over the years and only wanted him to negotiate with Iraqis who 'do not have white skin and colored eyes and do not speak English,' which 'had far more benefits for our people and economy than European trips!' Other users, including Amin Khalaj, have attempted to reduce the publication of this video to 'the immorality and irreligiosity of the reformist movement in analyzing and explaining Rouhani's trip to Iraq.' Hassan Rouhani's trip to Iraq coincided with the introduction of Ebrahim Raisi, his rival in the last presidential election in Iran, as the new head of the judiciary, who has been mentioned during and after the election as someone close to the Supreme Leader and a serious, uncontested candidate for leadership after Ali Khamenei.