Iran International
Unusually strident criticism by a commentator on state media likening dovish politicians calling for diplomacy to hated traitors of early Islamic heroes has stoked a backlash even by prominent conservatives.
Hardline propagandist Mohammad Hassan Rajabi Davani, in a state TV appearance that subsequently went viral, likened former President Hassan Rouhani and former top nuclear negotiator Mohammad-Javad Zarif to two historical figures who betrayed early leaders of imams of the Shi'ite community.
The anchor in the televised segmented added his own criticisms. Deemed by some observers as potentially life-threatening, the incendiary remarks were met with swift criticism.
Reformist groups issued a manifesto last week calling for direct talks with Washington and suspension of uranium enrichment to defuse a nuclear standoff, while Rouhani and Zarif have also publicly urged diplomacy.
"Radicalism is contagious and can spread from one political front to another," Conservative commentator Nasser Imani said.
Two conservative dailies harshly criticized state television for the segement.
"While Israel believes its war against Iran is ongoing and seeks to exploit internal discord to bring Iranians into the streets and facilitate societal collapse, leveling accusations against political figures is tantamount to playing into Israel’s hands," the Farhikhtegan newspaper wrote.
“Not only do the accusations against the two politicians fail to reduce radicalism in Iran, but they are like pouring gasoline on fire,” it added. "Polarization will not remain confined to the political sphere. It will deal blows to society and undermine the spontaneous solidarity that emerged following Israeli attacks."
Meanwhile, Massih Mohajeri, managing editor of the conservative daily Jomhouri Eslami, wrote in an editorial: "Suspicious individuals have infiltrated state television. They sow new discord daily and seek to destroy the nation’s sense of sympathy and solidarity."
"Purging state television is more essential than ever," Mohajeri, a long-standing critic of the state broadcaster, said. "Willingly or otherwise, the broadcaster’s programming and approach are likely to bring Iran’s social foundations to the verge of collapse by leveling accusations against various individuals and the government.”
According to Khabar Online, Davani appeared keen to turn the page on the controversy by moving onto a new one in his latest appearance on state TV.
“It is currently being said among the people that Iran should move toward making a nuclear bomb, Davani said. "There is a demand among the people for making a nuclear bomb, and people in the world say Iran has a right to make it.”
