Iran’s government spars with state TV as mediators push talks with US | US-Israel war on Iran News
Tehran, Iran — A public dispute has surfaced between the Iranian government and state television regarding the portrayal of the ongoing conflict and negotiations with the United States. Mediators are currently attempting to facilitate dialogue between the two nations.
On Friday, the Government Information Council accused the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) of censorship after portions of a speech given by President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier in the week were not broadcast.
In response, IRIB denied the government’s claims on Saturday, asserting that its role is to prevent any perception of division among the country’s leadership.
In Pezeshkian’s remarks, he referenced a statement from former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who publicly declared that there would be no negotiations with Washington following last year’s brief conflict with Israel but had privately signaled approval for talks.
“We went to the dear leader, explained the situation, and asked him what to do since he had said the ‘no war, no peace’ conditions are bad for the country,” Pezeshkian stated, emphasizing that negotiations began at Khamenei’s order.
The government’s statement indicated that this incident is part of a larger pattern of “unusual actions” by state television, noting that an earlier interview with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf regarding negotiations was also edited. Additionally, a speech from Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei expressing support for the president did not air.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed discontent with IRIB’s coverage during a recent interview, asserting that he expected state media to effectively communicate Iran’s stance to U.S. audiences. He noted that only minimal subtitles from his interviews with American media outlets were presented.
Araghchi also sought to refute claims by hardliners that a now-suspended memorandum of understanding with the U.S. was forced upon Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, describing it instead as the best agreement possible under current circumstances.
The government accused a political faction within state television, implicitly referring to the ultrahardline Paydari Front, of actions that could undermine national security. In contrast, IRIB argued that broadcasting the president’s comments could create an impression of discord.
Both parties have claimed that the other has undermined Khamenei’s recent call for “sacred unity” in light of military, economic, and diplomatic pressures from the U.S.
Mohammad Mirzaei, a parliamentary member overseeing IRIB, confirmed that the broadcaster’s leadership had been warned to represent diverse viewpoints as a means of fostering national cohesion.
In the midst of the ongoing discord, mediators from Oman visited Tehran on Friday to address concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor that remains a focal point of tension between the U.S. and Iran.
In parallel developments, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the situation was progressing favorably and announced an upcoming visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He acknowledged ongoing discussions facilitated by intermediaries but expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of an imminent agreement.
Regarding military strategy, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, affirmed on Saturday that missile and drone operations in the region would persist until what he termed the “full surrender” of their adversaries.
