Hardline editor and Khamenei ally launches attack on Pezeshkian

Kayhan’s daily’s frequent attacks on pro-reform and even hardline governments is well known in Tehran. However, many agree that the hardline paper has launched its offensive against the Pezeshkian administration unusually early.

Kayhan and its managing editor, Hossein Shariatmadari, began attacking Pezeshkian even before his cabinet was finalized. Shariatmadari criticized the president's selection of ministers early on, targeting his choices before they were officially confirmed. He went further, accusing Pezeshkian of appointing aides and vice presidents who he labeled "political criminals" and supporters of "seditionists" — a term referring to those who backed popular protests.

A report on Etemad Online website on Wednesday suggested that Hossein Shariatmadari has undergone a "factory reset," returning to his familiar tactic of launching destructive attacks on the president and his administration. The report followed Shariatmadari’s accusation that the Pezeshkian administration has deviated from its commitment to Khamenei’s ideals.

Under Shariatmadari, Kayhan has worked hard to present itself as a media outlet closely aligned with Khamenei’s views. However, this portrayal is not entirely accurate, as other newspapers, such as Ettela'at, Jomhouri Eslami, and Khorasan, are also financially and editorially linked to Khamenei’s office yet maintain different editorial perspectives. This diversity of viewpoints among pro-Khamenei outlets highlights a complex media strategy by the Supreme Leader.

In several reports Iranian journalists and politicians pointed out that what Kayhan writes solely reflects Shariatmadari's ideas and biases rather than reflecting Khamenei's views. Others believe that the paper has a function of being the ‘attack dog’ for Khamenei’s court.

According to Etemad Online, Kayhan's attacks on Pezeshkian seem particularly strange given Khamenei’s favorable stance toward the new president and his cabinet. In recent instances, Khamenei has personally shown support for figures like Vice President Zarif and Health Minister Zafarghandi, who were both targets of Shariatmadari's harsh criticism. This disconnect between Kayhan's hostility and Khamenei's approval raises questions about the motivations behind the newspaper's stance.

The Kayhan whose line of thought often resembles those of ultraconservative Paydari Party pretended that the Pezeshkian administration faces no financial shortages. This was refuted by the President during an interview with the state TV in which he said his government had no funds in the Treasury and he had to borrow money from the National Development Fund to start his work.

In summary, Kayhan's opposition to the Pezeshkian administration centers on several key issues: Shariatmadari's criticism of Pezeshkian's decision to reinstate academics and students dismissed for supporting the 2022 protests, his objections to the appointment of Abbas Araghchi as Foreign Minister and the inclusion of former officials like Javad Zarif in the cabinet, and his negative views toward two reformist-leaning ministers. This broad opposition reflects Kayhan's discontent with Pezeshkian’s choices.

In another report on Wednesday, Etemad Online quoted reformist activist Mohammad Reza Jalaipour, who refuted Kayhan's claims, stating that neither Khamenei's Office nor the IRGC have plans to confront the Pezeshkian administration. He emphasized that the new government is a result of a "win-win" collaboration between the executive branch and Khamenei’s office. Jalaipour expressed optimism about the government's future, noting the Supreme Leader's support.

Meanwhile, an online campaign is calling for Shariatmadari’s resignation, suggesting he’s "tired after 30 years of hard work."