Yahya Rahim Safavi Accuses Media of 'Distorting His Words'

Following a negative reflection on the government of Hassan Rouhani, Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, on Wednesday, July 6, emphasized the need to support the government and accused the media of 'incomplete and distorted' reporting of his statements. According to the Fars News Agency, citing the military advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei, 'some' media outlets are attempting to 'weaken the government' and are engaged in 'divisive' efforts. A statement from Yahya Rahim Safavi was published on Sunday, reflecting his very negative view of Hassan Rouhani's government and its performance. Rahim Safavi, who is close to the Supreme Leader, stated, 'Sometimes it seems that if there were no government, the country would be better managed.' Following this statement, which received significant coverage in newspapers over the past few days, the spokesperson for Rouhani's government reacted by describing Rahim Safavi's remarks as his 'personal opinion' and emphasized that he 'does not express the official views of that organization, which of course demonstrates freedom of expression in the country.' The advisor's comments were made at a time when Hassan Rouhani's government is under increasing pressure both domestically and internationally: on one hand due to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the sanctions that are becoming more stringent, and on the other hand due to public protests over the country's economic situation. In a clear retreat, the advisor to Khamenei has now called for 'helping the respected government and other branches in solving economic problems and challenges.' He stated, 'It is our duty to work together and assist the respected government and other branches in solving economic problems and challenges, thereby neutralizing the enemy's plans in the fields of economic warfare and psychological operations.' This reiterates the position of President Hassan Rouhani, who on Tuesday promised that Tehran would overcome U.S. sanctions and accused the Americans of launching a 'psychological, economic, and political war' against Iran. However, in his remarks on Wednesday, the advisor accused 'some' media of misrepresenting his words as 'incomplete and distorted' and condemned their 'divisive' efforts. Mr. Rahim Safavi did not name these media outlets and simply stated that 'the actions of some media in weakening the government in the current sensitive situation are against national interests.' Nevertheless, newspapers and news agencies such as Kayhan, Fars, and Tasnim have particularly attacked the Islamic Republic government in the past month following the U.S. President's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement. The Kayhan newspaper is managed under the supervision of the Supreme Leader's representative, and the two news agencies, Fars and Tasnim, are close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Previously, government officials have repeatedly criticized the attacks from state media, Kayhan newspaper, and close associates of the Supreme Leader against the government. Officials and media close to the government, including the Jomhouri Islami newspaper, have even considered the gatherings in Tehran's bazaar as a 'conspiracy against the government.'