Iranian state TV apologizes after satirical show mocked Saudi minister

One of Iran's state television channels, Nasim TV, has apologized for a satirical program that mocked a Saudi Arabian official, saying the incident was a negligent mistake and that disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible.

The Tasnim news agency reported that a video circulating online showed actor Mohsen Afshani seemingly making fun of the Saudi foreign minister through what appeared to be digitally altered content.

The timing of the broadcast, just a week after the Saudi defense minister's trip to Iran, drew widespread criticism online and in some media outlets, raising questions about potential efforts to undermine the improving bilateral relations and the government's foreign policy objectives, including ongoing talks with the United States.

While Nasim TV did not name the program in its statement, it acknowledged that "some political policy lines regarding neighboring countries were inadvertently disregarded" in a recorded satirical show.

The network assured the public that those responsible for the lapse would face disciplinary measures.

The Financial Times, citing analysts close to the Saudi leadership, reported last week that Saudi Arabia’s defense minister used a high-level visit to Tehran to signal Riyadh’s opposition to military confrontation with Iran.

“Saudi is clearly sending a message to Tehran that it will not be a conduit in any fashion towards an attack on Iran,” said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator close to the royal court. “The kingdom supports President [Donald] Trump’s efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear crisis, and doesn’t want a war.”

Prince Khalid bin Salman’s visit took place just days before Iran resumed nuclear talks with the United States. Bin Salman is the highest-ranking Saudi royal to visit Iran in decades and includes the kingdom’s ambassador to Yemen.

Saudi and Iran only resumed diplomatic ties in 2023 after a seven-year hiatus following an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran which drove a wedge between the two powers.