Feb 12, 2026, 1:34 p.mFeb 12, 2026, 1:34 p.m
A regional head of Iranian state television IRIB has been fired after his reporter made a slip of the tongue. In a live broadcast on the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on Wednesday, he accidentally said “Death to Khamenei” instead of the usual slogan “Death to the USA”.
According to the constitution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the head of state of Iran. As a cleric, he also enjoys a special religious status for many supporters of the system.
The reporter accidentally said “Death to Khamenei” instead of “Death to the USA”.Image: keystone
According to the news portal “Asr-Iran”, the reporter apologized several times for the slip of the tongue, but the IRIB leadership decided to dismiss the program director of the regional branch “Hamun” in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan. According to “Asr-Iran”, the reporter is threatened with a “disciplinary penalty”.
“Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator” were among the slogans used by opponents of the country’s political leadership during the recent unrest in Iran between late December and early January. With the state-organized rallies on the anniversary of the 1979 revolution on Wednesday, Tehran wanted to show that the majority of the population continues to support the Islamic system – and in particular leader Khamenei. (hkl/sda/dpa)