The chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces warned conservative media outlets with links to the armed forces against continuing to incite the public or target the administration unfairly. The May 19 comments by hard-line political figure Major General Hassan Firouzabadi, who reports directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was welcomed by officials from President Hassan Rouhani’s administration.
“This is the demand of the supreme leader … that whoever has sympathy for Imam [Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini], the revolution, the supreme leader and the martyrs, join hands and help this administration … to push the country forward,” said Firouzabadi.