Replacing some executive officials is a matter that every government might deal with, but the Interior Ministry has not had and does not have any plan at present to do so, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli was quoted by Entekhab, a news website, as telling reporters on Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a gathering which brought together provincial governors from across the country, the interior chief also said his ministry and the president might decide to change some state executives in the weeks and months ahead.

On the suspicious death of a young woman in Mahabad in West Azerbaijan Province, he said, “What happened in Mahabad was a personal issue. In fact the deceased had an affair with the suspect, who was her suitor. Fearing that her family might learn about their relationship, she tried to leave the hotel with the help of a colleague. Unfortunately, however, she fell to the ground from the third floor and lost her life.”

He added, “Opportunist media tried to turn the personal issue into a political question by resorting to fabrications, claiming that a member of security forces tried to sexually assault her and that the woman jumped off the hotel window to her death to escape rape.”

The interior chief said the suspect is not a member of security forces, rather he is a specialist that often visited the hotel to help its personnel.

Rahmani Fazli went on to say, “The incident turned into a social problem thanks to the media which incited the public, particularly the youth in Mahabad. As a result, a large crowd thronged outside the hotel, shattered its windows and torched part of the facility.”

The interior minister further said, “Unfortunately, 21 police forces suffered injuries when protesters threw stones at them. Police invited demonstrators to stay calm and I extend my gratitude to police [for their restraint].”

Earlier, Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, the prosecutor general, said that those behind the unrest in the city would be punished.

The minister of culture and Islamic guidance has said that the government needs to align with people if it seeks to better control and shape public opinion.

Ali Jannati made the remark in a gathering of police officials Sunday and added that media cannot be controlled and the flow of information cannot be blocked.

Ettela’at newspaper on May 11 published the minister’s remarks on public opinion and the ways to handle it in society. The following is the translation of excerpts of Jannati’s remarks:

Uncontrollability of information sharing

[…]

The minister said technically speaking, media cannot be brought under control, nor do geographical boundaries and legal requirements allow for such control.

He added nothing can staunch the [free] flow of information and news.

[…]

Jannati further said certain pieces of information are exchanged through Viber and WhatsApp, either mutually or within groups, adding we cannot control or interrupt these exchanges.

What should be done?

The culture chief went on to say that production of [decent Internet] content is of immense significance when it comes to dissemination of information and molding public opinion.

“We need to [rush to the scene] and take over and produce materials. The more we produce information in cyberspace, the more we can affect public opinion [in society]”, he stressed.

[…]

To counter the [inaccurate and misleading] information which is relayed via the web, the minister said, we have to tap into the potential satellite channels and the virtual world. He said we need to put these tools to good use. “Why shouldn’t we upload videos on [video-sharing website such as] YouTube?” he wondered.

If we align ourselves with people, we can better control public opinion, Jannati said, adding we can get nothing through opposing [people’s individual views, attitudes and beliefs which form] public opinion.

At the current situation, we need to develop appropriate software for cell phone systems in order not to let others sway public opinion, Jannati said, adding we need to take measures to address public opinion, both at home and abroad.

Iran’s revolution has a cultural nature, he said, adding we want to export our way of thinking and culture [to other nations].

The minister also said that we should exploit all potential to spread public diplomacy the world over. If so, we can influence public opinion in other nations too, he concluded.

[…]