Calls for Creation of Ministry of Soft War

Following the establishment of the Psychological Operations Headquarters (POH) which is composed of representatives from twenty government ministries, the Islamic Passdaran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, POH’s director Masoud Jazayeri called for the creation of the “ministry of soft war” composed of IRGC members, even though he characterized the threat of war as a mere “show.” The POH openly supported Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during last year’s presidential election and was involved in the post-election crackdown.

Masoud Jazayeri, who was speaking about foreign military threats with the IRNA news agency, said, “America, England and other White House allies’ aggressive psychological and soft war operations against the Islamic republic of Iran have never been so widespread and intense. Clearly, the enemy’s aim is to inflict damage and destroy. A country that is under attack must make the necessary preparation to neutralize the enemy’s plots and activities.”

The Joint Chiefs of Staff’s cultural affairs director added, “One of the ways of combating the enemy’s soft war and media campaign is to establish an independent ministry to devise policy, lead, coordinate and manage executive operations in this strategic and important field as well as to manage the public diplomacy.”

He then elaborated on the proposed institutional structure of the ministry: “Inside the country, people do not regard themselves as being separate from the IRGS. The public trust in and acceptance of the IRGC is our largest asset. Relying on this resource, the IRGC will be the final victor in its struggle against the enemy’s soft war.”

The POH began its operations in February 2009, shortly before the kickoff of the presidential election campaign and the mobilization of reformists. POH members include representatives from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ministries of foreign affairs, culture and Islamic affairs, science, research and technology, communication and information technology, the IRGC, police, Islamic Republic army, radio and television, Islamic culture and communication association, the IRGC’s Imam Hussein University, Supreme National Defense University, Malek Ashtar University, Ahl-e Bayt International Council, and editors of several media outlets close to the administration. Since its inception, the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s cultural director, Masoud Jazayeri, has served as the POH’s director.

In recent years, especially last year, government officials have clarified the scope of the “soft war” and “those who serve the enemy in that war,” suggesting the potential ministry of soft war’s scope of operations.

The intelligence ministry’s deputy in foreign affairs has listed the names of 62 organizations and institutions as participants in the soft war. Many human rights organizations such as the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center and Human Rights Watch are included in the list as illegal organizations supporting the soft was against Iran.