INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
official, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution
its claims, the Washington Post cites another unsubstantiated article from Iran International, a notorious anti-Iran TV channel funded by
Israel with a well-documented history of fabricating information about Iran and its officials
Moreover, a basic understanding of Iran's constitution reveals that the next leader is not chosen by "clerical elders" but by an assembly of
figures elected by the Iranian people every eight years.The Leader's past statements and actions also demonstrate his opposition to his
children entering politics, much less succeeding him
Further supporting this, Ayatollah Mahmoud Mohammadi Araghi, a member of the Assembly of Experts, has stated that the Leader rejected a
request from a number of assembly members to consider one of his sons for future leadership positions.The Tehran Times, through its sources,
stories about Iran's Leader published over the past two decades
In a particularly egregious example of misinformation, many Western outlets, including the New York Times, claimed in 2022 that Ayatollah
These outlets, however, appear determined to perpetuate falsehoods, despite the repeated exposure of their lies.But what lies beneath the
surface of this constant scrutiny? Are these merely misguided journalistic endeavors, or are they, as Dr
Parviz Amini, a politics professor and political analyst, suggests, a carefully constructed narrative reflecting the underlying anxieties
and strategies of Western policymakers? In an insightful conversation with the Tehran Times, Amini peeled back the layers of media discourse
to reveal a complex interplay of power, perception, and political maneuvering."Think of it this way," Amini began, "media outlets with close
ties to governments are less like neutral observers and more like strategic lenses through which you can glimpse the true thoughts and
policies of those in power." In this light, the incessant coverage of Ayatollah Khamenei, focusing on his health, his inner circle, and even
his potential successor, becomes far more than just news reporting
It's a meticulously crafted portrait, designed to convey a particular message.For Amini, the obsession with Ayatollah Khamenei stems from
his pivotal role in Iran's political landscape
"The Leader is an important pillar of Iran's ruling system," he explained, "He's the force that guides it through complex challenges and
resistance to external pressures, and a challenge to the existing world order.Amini argues that the West has recognized Ayatollah Khamenei
as a major obstacle to their agenda
weaken his position within the country." This campaign, Amini believes, isn't just about one person but about dismantling the very structure
often falsely claiming he is the heir apparent
"It's another jab at Iran's political system," he emphasized
"While our constitution clearly outlines that the next leader is selected by the Assembly of Experts, a process demonstrated in 1989 after
Imam Khomeini's passing, the West continues to peddle this narrative of a dynastic succession." The goal, he posits, is to discredit the
