Larijani’s short but meaningful handwritten letter, addressed to the country’s media executives, was released at a time when the region is still unsettled in the aftermath of the 12-day war—a war that, despite its violence and threats, ended with the failure of the Zionist regime and the United States to achieve their goals, ultimately forcing them to accept a ceasefire. But the end of the war did not mean the end of the battle. As history has shown, whenever Iran and the Resistance Front have defeated their adversaries on the battlefield, those adversaries have quickly tried to shift the conflict into the arena of minds and society—where “polarization” and “mistrust” can erode the foundations of national unity.
In recent days, numerous examples of this effort have appeared: the release of personal videos aimed at character assassination of government officials, harsh political disputes, and clashes among official and semi-official platforms—all of which have filled both traditional and social media with tension. Under such circumstances, Larijani’s letter goes beyond a moral reminder; it serves as a strategic warning for overcoming the “no war, no peace” stalemate and countering the enemy’s suspension project, which today relies on cognitive warfare and targeted perception management.
In his message, Larijani highlights two key elements: strengthening defensive capabilities and preserving national cohesion. These two pillars were the main sources of Iran’s strength during the 12-day war, enabling the country—under the wise leadership of the Supreme Leader—to shift the balance of power in its favor. Iran’s and its allies’ defensive power within the Resistance Axis established a new deterrence balance, while internal unity—from government and military institutions to media and public opinion—proved the futility of the enemy’s attempts to activate a domestic opposition front. Indeed, if missiles determined the outcome on the battlefield, it was the solidarity and trust of the people that gave true meaning to victory in society.
Now, in the post-war environment, the enemy has shifted its focus from hard warfare to soft warfare—a battle in which headlines, narratives, and images have replaced bullets. This time, the target is not military infrastructure but the social foundations of the country. Therefore, Larijani’s emphasis on the media’s role in preventing false polarization aligns perfectly with his understanding of the enemy’s new tactics. By sending this handwritten letter to all media managers, Larijani, in effect, speaks as a commander addressing his comrades on the field—dividing responsibilities and stressing the need to form a national media front to preserve internal unity.
A key issue, however, lies in the role of the National Security Council in supporting the media to achieve this goal. Social cohesion becomes meaningful only when the media operates not in a state of passivity, but within a framework of trust and institutional support—acting as true partners of the national security apparatus in the ongoing cognitive war against ever-watchful adversaries. The Supreme National Security Council, as the central coordinating body among institutions in this field, can strengthen this unity by creating dialogue-based mechanisms, ensuring greater transparency in information dissemination, and offering structured and continuous support to responsible media outlets.
Moreover, Ali Larijani himself has a long background in media. For nearly a decade, he headed the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), making him effectively part of the media family. This background means expectations of him go beyond those of an ordinary political official. The media community expects not only warnings from him but also the practical steps, frameworks, and tools needed for media synergy in the path toward national cohesion.
Although during Larijani’s short tenure as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council no major operational shift has yet been observed, this letter could serve as the prelude to a new, active policy in the field of strategic communications—and a sign of intent to harness the country’s media capacity more effectively in this domain.
Ultimately, Larijani’s message serves as a reminder that Iran’s national security does not rest solely on the power of missiles but also on the pillars of public trust and unity. If these two factors secured victory during the 12-day war, they must remain the primary areas of investment in the post-war era: strengthening defense capabilities and consolidating social cohesion. These two are not only instruments of deterrence but also the keys to overcoming the current state of suspension—and essential conditions for achieving national development.
The Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council, as the main coordination hub among relevant institutions, can reinforce this cohesion by establishing dialogue-based mechanisms, ensuring greater transparency in communication, and providing structured, continuous support to responsible media organizations.
NOURNEWS