Pezeshkian's Sharp Criticism of IRIB: This is the Same Narrative as Israel

Amid political and regional tensions, Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, once again targeted the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) with his criticisms. In a meeting held on July 14, 2026, in Tehran, he accused the national media of attempting to create a gap between the pillars of sovereignty, stating that this type of narrative is exactly in line with the interests of the country's enemies, particularly Israel [1].

Criticism of Creating Bipolarity Between the Government and Armed Forces Referring to certain programs and analyses presented on IRIB that portray the government in opposition to the armed forces, Pezeshkian said: "When they say on the IRIB that the military is on one side and the government is on the other, it means creating a gap; this is the same talk as Israel" [3]. He emphasized that no one has the right to use the national media platform to weaken national unity and suggest division. The President clarified that he not only does not see himself as separate from the military forces but views them as a source of honor and pride for the country and defends their position with all his power [2].

Alignment with Enemy Discourse The Iranian President, in another part of his speech, called the similarity between IRIB narratives and foreign propaganda concerning. According to him, suggesting the idea that the government is moving in a different direction from the defense forces is a project pursued by Israeli media to weaken national morale and create instability in Iran [1]. These statements come as Iran has passed through a sensitive period in recent months, including the consequences of the February 2026 attacks and efforts to maintain stability after the loss of the previous leadership, which requires maximum cohesion in the power structure [4].

History of Tensions with the National Broadcaster This is not the first time the Pezeshkian administration has entered into a challenge with the IRIB. In recent months, instances such as the sudden interruption of the television program of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament, as well as providing a wide platform to opponents of diplomatic negotiations, had caused severe criticism from the presidential institution [2]. Pezeshkian believes that instead of playing a role as a non-partisan institution, the national media has in some cases become a tool for disturbing public opinion and blackwashing against the government's performance [3].

Necessity of Unity in Current Conditions In conclusion, the President emphasized his readiness to be on the front line of defending the country and said that in the current situation, the government's main priority is supporting the people's livelihood and strengthening household purchasing power, but these goals will only be achieved in the light of unity and avoiding media side-tracks [3]. He asked the managers of the national media to reconsider their policies and avoid actions that lead to the weakening of national solidarity [1].