Iran Leader Orders ‘Vindication Jihad,’ Hybrid War Against Foes

Multiple crises that the Iranian regime faces in the past four years have harmed its image domestically, while it had to deal with US sanctions, a reinvigorated opposition and regional foes.

Khamenei accused foreign-based and opposition media of distorting the truth about the Islamic Republic and ignoring its “achievements.” He said “huge and epic works in the past few decades” across the economy, social matters, development, education, healthcare, industry, and other areas were not sufficiently recognized by the Iranian media.

The spread of social media in the country has also weakened the government’s monopoly on information and amplified critical voices.

At an annual gathering of air force officers Tuesday, Khamenei made a speech whose themes The Times of Israel reported “directly parallel” remarks of an unnamed senior Israeli official who told reporters Monday that Israel was carrying out multifaceted, across-the-board efforts against Iran.

“The enemy’s aggression represents hybrid warfare,” Khamenei said. “That is, it includes economic, political, security, media and diplomatic aspects. Our response must be hybrid as well…We cannot constantly remain in a defensive position in the face of such joint hybrid warfare. We, too, should mount a hybrid attack in various fields…”

The Israeli official had explained Israel’s goal as “weakening” Iran through ways that were “primarily economic” but included “a number of activities, financial, diplomatic, pre-emptory actions, covert and open, in cyberspace and other areas.”

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https://www.iranintl.com/en/202202088610