Iranian Foreign Minister’s Media Advisor Resigns Following Controversial Interview

Mohammad Hossein Ranjbaran stepped down on Wednesday from his position as media advisor to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Ranjbaran announced his resignation on X, saying he had requested Araghchi to accept it, “considering that the interests of the system and the country, and preventing unnecessary controversies, are more important than any personal interest,” The Caspian Post reports citing Iranian media.

The resignation follows controversy over an interview Ranjbaran conducted with Mohammad Sadr, a member of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council.

After the interview was published, Tehran prosecutors filed charges against Sadr.

The Judiciary's Media Center said the charges were based on “false claims” made during the online program.

In the interview, Sadr claimed that Russia had provided Israel with information about Iran's defense systems and criticized the Islamic Republic’s strategic pact with Russia.

He also criticized Araghchi’s communication style and claimed Israel was responsible for the helicopter crash that killed former President Ebrahim Raisi.

In his statement, Ranjbaran thanked Araghchi for his trust over the past year and wished him success in his continuing duties