Iran’s security agencies have ordered media outlets and public relations departments at state institutions to adhere to a unified framework when covering news and analysis related to the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in an effort to tightly manage the public narrative during one of the country’s most sensitive political moments since the leadership transition. The directives, obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, instruct media organizations to reinforce specific messaging, remove accounts that deviate from the official narrative, and portray the funeral as proof of the continuity of the leadership and the resilience of the political system in the face of what the document describes as the enemy’s “cognitive warfare.” The document treats the funeral as a political, security, and media event simultaneously. It instructs outlets to depict public attendance as a unique “human shield” and as a “strategic declaration of loyalty” to Khamenei’s legacy and the Iranian Revolution’s “strategic depth.” Media observers in Tehran said the directives reflect an effort to shape public opinion and curb media pluralism during a delicate transitional period. The guidance requires coverage to revolve around three themes: “continuity of leadership,” “continuity of resistance,” and “a bright future.” It warns that inconsistent messaging would create space for competing narratives and urges all media to adopt a unified account on behalf of what it calls the “Front of the Revolution.” The document also calls for highlighting the attendance of foreign delegations and republishing favorable analyses from Western media in domestic outlets as evidence of the success of Iran’s public diplomacy and the failure of efforts to isolate the country despite sanctions. It instructs media to counter arguments by supporters of the former Pahlavi monarchy while avoiding defensive responses, instead emphasizing what it describes as the regime’s achievements in the nuclear, missile, and regional arenas. Emphasis is placed on rebutting narratives of a “succession vacuum” and an “uncertain future.” The directives call for calm, well-documented explanations of Iran’s constitutional succession process to prevent what they describe as a cascading collapse in public confidence. The guidance also bans coverage that could inflame political or sectarian divisions, urging media to stress national unity and consensus. Media are further instructed to portray the funeral crowds as a historic display comparable to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and a decisive rebuttal to predictions of state collapse. They are encouraged to use statistics, photographs, and field reports to project national strength and cohesion, while incorporating deterrent messages emphasizing Iran’s military readiness and continued commitment to the “path of resistance.” Finally, the directives warn against what they describe as pessimistic analyses or forecasts rooted in fear and uncertainty, urging media instead to promote an image of “a proud and advancing Iran” through what the document calls the “engineering of hope,” while affirming that “Iran’s future is bright and remains connected to the path of the Imam and the leadership.”
