The Islamic Republic of Iran invited approximately 400 foreign bloggers and influencers to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an effort to shape global perceptions of the regime. According to Beni Sabti, an Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies, this strategy signals internal weakness and a lack of domestic popularity rather than strength.
Why the regime invited foreign influencers
Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mehdi Imanipour, head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, confirmed to the Tasnim News Agency that the government facilitated the attendance of guests from 30 countries. Imanipour stated that the goal was to “communicate the correct and authentic image” of the ceremony to the world. He argued that by utilizing bloggers and citizen media, the state could bypass major media organizations that he claimed seek to present a “distorted image” of Iran.
The guest list included Western figures such as British-Pakistani influencer Bushra Sheikh, American commentator Jackson Hinkle, and activist Cella Walsh. Reports from IranWire indicated that a significant number of other attendees were Lebanese media figures, occurring as Iran’s influence in Lebanon faces challenges from recent diplomatic agreements with Jerusalem.
Conflicting views on the funeral’s significance
The event has prompted sharp disagreement regarding what the turnout actually represents. Imanipour claimed the initiative “effectively neutralized the Western media campaign.” Conversely, Sabti characterized the move as a sign of desperation. He noted that the regime did not invite such figures to cover the protests in January, opting instead to suppress those demonstrations and restrict internet access for nearly three months.
Discrepancies regarding the event’s organization have also emerged. Citing reports from the diaspora outlet Iran International, Sabti highlighted that the funeral procession faced logistical confusion, including multiple changes to the planned route and early start times. Additionally, reports suggested that local businesses were compelled to close for the ceremony, with restaurants ordered to provide free food at their own expense. Sabti, who published images on social media, argued that these measures, combined with selective camera angles, were used to project an image of unity that did not reflect the reality of the crowds.
What may happen next
Worth a look