Iranian newspapers ordered to be positive about nuclear deal in secret letter

The order targeted newspapers with threats of prosecution and temporary closure

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Newspaper editors in Iran have been ordered to be positive about the nuclear deal with major world powers, in a secret directive from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Editors received a “highly confidential” letter on 22 July stressing the need “to safeguard the achievements of the talks” while avoiding “doubt and disappointment among the public”, the BBC reported. News outlets are urged to emphasise “the big achievements in our nuclear programme as a result of the agreement”.

The order targeted hardline newspapers with threats of prosecution and temporary closure. Journalists have so far adhered to the instruction not to write anything critical which may “polarise society”.

The founder of several newspapers, Bijan Safsari, told the website Iran Wire that when he worked in Iran he “received a confidential letter almost every month”.

The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is yet to declare whether or not he supports the deal, which has been taken as tacit approval.

Sara Bazoobandi, an expert on Iran at Chatham House, said: “These are the kind of preparational movements they need to take to create a more cohesive mind-set within the country, to avoid public and parliamentary controversy and to smooth the process [of implementation].”