Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Iran’s Conservative Media Outlets Lash out against Released Iran-al Qaeda Expository Hardcover | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl


London- Iran-based conservative media outlet Fars news agency published a heated essay lashing out against a recently book titled: “Rijal al Qaeda fi Iran” (translating to: Al Qaeda Men in Iran) released by Asharq Al-Awsat.

The ultra-conservative media outlet said should the publication be subject to translation, it would raise fears of propagating expository information on Iran’s affiliation with al Qaeda.

More so, the prominent news agency, backed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, accused Saudi media and newspapers for publicly intruding in Iranian internal affairs, and pointing fingers against Tehran. Saudi media has shadowed Iranian activity in the region, especially after attacks on diplomatic missions in Iran early on in 2016.

Fars news agency allegedly claims that shedding light on Iranian activity in the region causes unfavorable tension for the mullah ruled state, raising suspicions on its terror-sponsoring actions.

The highly controversial regions of Ahwaz, Iranian Kurdistan and Balochistan subjected to authoritarian oppression by Iran has been covered by the Arab and Saudi outlets that are now condemned by Fars for allegedly inciting anti-Iranian sentiment. Fars agency labeled the oppressed people of Ahwaz, Kurdistan and Balochistan as unruly separatist that must be addressed with strictness.

Fars also criticized the Saudi and international support given to “The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran,” also known by “Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK),” which is an Iranian organization in exile that advocates a violent overthrow of the totalitarian cleric-led system back home.

Saudi Prince Turki bin Faisal’s attendance at the reform-seeking movement’s convention held in Paris earlier this year was also subjected to intense criticism.

Iranian conservative military media agencies, such as “mashreghnews” a website closely affiliated and run by the Revolutionary Guards special Quds Force, also directed loudly voiced criticism and attacks against Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

What is more is that prior to any release made by Saudi media, Iran-based media confessed the presence of a handful of al Qaeda leaders in rural areas located west of Tehran, and that they are all put under Revolutionary Guard intelligence protection program.

Ties linking al Qaeda to Iran manifest in different shapes and forms. Despite Iran’s denial of supporting al Qaeda terrorists, investigatory reports and retrieved documents prove that after the ultra-hardline terror group’s difficulty faced in Afghanistan, top leaders were given asylum in Tehran.

Among al Qaeda’s prominent figureheads granted refuge in Iran are Abu Walid al Masri –al Qaeda’s high-ranking military commander Saif al-Adel’s brother in law – and Mohammad Islambouli, brother of Khaled Islambouli who is accused of assassinating Egypt’s third president, Anwar Sadat.

Not to mention that Osama bin Laden’s family has also been cited to be living under the direct protection of the Revolutionary Guard’s intelligence services in Tehran.