In a rare incident highlighting the political tensions and sensitivities in Iran, the state broadcaster IRIB announced the dismissal of the director of one of its regional stations following a disastrous gaffe by a journalist during a live broadcast. The incident occurred when the journalist chanted “Death to Khamenei” instead of the usual anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans, triggering an immediate storm of reactions within the country’s most tightly controlled media organization.
Details of the shocking incident
The incident occurred on Wednesday during live coverage of the 47th anniversary celebrations of the Islamic Revolution in Sistan and Baluchestan province, a politically and security-sensitive region in southeastern Iran. Journalist Mosab Rasouli Zadeh was reporting on the atmosphere of the celebrations and the enthusiasm of the crowds when, while repeating the chants of the participants, he mistakenly replaced the slogan “Death to America” with “Death to Khamenei,” referring to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei.
Although the journalist quickly released a video apologizing profusely for what he called a "grave mistake" and a "slip of the tongue," while reaffirming his loyalty to the regime and the revolution, it was too late to rectify the situation. The video spread like wildfire on social media, exploited by regime opponents as evidence of the Supreme Leader's waning popularity, even within the halls of his own official media outlets.
General context: The sanctity of the guide and directed media
The Supreme Leader of Iran is a red line that cannot be crossed. Under the Iranian constitution, Khamenei enjoys broad powers and a quasi-sacred status, and any direct criticism of him is considered a crime that can lead to years in prison. State institutions, most notably the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), serve as key instruments for reinforcing this image and protecting the prestige of the regime and its leadership. Therefore, broadcasting a slogan critical of him, even accidentally, represents an unforgivable organizational and ideological failure.
This incident comes at a highly sensitive time, as Iran is still recovering from the wave of “Women, Life, Freedom” protests that erupted in late 2022, during which slogans like “Death to the Dictator” and “Death to Khamenei” were prominent. This context gives the “slip of the tongue” a deeper political dimension, as it was not merely a linguistic error, but rather an echo of the voices of the street opposition through the official state media platform.
Immediate impact and consequences
The authorities responded swiftly and decisively. In addition to dismissing the channel's program director, the broadcast operator and director were suspended, and several other employees deemed responsible for the incident were referred to a disciplinary committee. This stringent measure aims to send a clear message to all state media employees that there is no room for error when it comes to the regime's highest symbols. The decision also reflects a sense of unease within the regime about any breach that might reveal its weakness or divisions, particularly given the economic challenges, international pressures, and internal unrest facing the country.
