Ayatollah Blasts Press, Decries Vigilantism

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, attacked the country’s reformist newspapers, accusing them of undercutting the Islamic Revolution. He also warned hard-liners not to take the law into their own hands. Some conservatives are believed to use violence against opponents. Speaking to an estimated 100,000 young people in Tehran’s Grand Mosque, Khamenei said there were 10 to 15 newspapers undermining Islamic principles, insulting state bodies and creating social discord. The ayatollah, however, condemned “any illegal action by any person due to emotion and support for this or that person. I’ll not allow this.”