Iran’s hardline Kayhan newspaper has urged security and intelligence agencies to investigate the return of artists and entertainers who had lived abroad, alleging their arrival could be part of a campaign of “soft cultural infiltration.”
“Their overnight change of face is less an expression of patriotism than part of a calculated project to gradually infiltrate cultural institutions and establish contact with certain decision-makers,” Kayhan said.
The newspaper, which is published under the supervision of the supreme leader’s representative, did not name any artists but made the comments after some musicians returned to Iran amid a broader government effort to encourage expatriate artists to come back.
“Security and intelligence agencies should closely scrutinize the hidden aspects and aims of these organized returns and ensure that no part of the matter goes unexamined,” it read.
The paper accused the returning figures of having campaigned against the Islamic Republic while abroad and said their return was being presented as homesickness for Iran. It argued that their return should not be treated like that of ordinary citizens living overseas.
Kayhan also urged the government to prevent media and official platforms from helping returning entertainers rebuild their public profiles.
The paper said it was not opposed to the return of Iranians living abroad, but drew a distinction between ordinary citizens and people it accused of anti-government political activity.