Entekhab

Entekhab, meaning “Choice” in Persian, is an Iranian news brand associated with a Persian-language newspaper and a continuing digital news website based in Tehran. The newspaper was founded in 1991 by Mohammad Mahdi Faghihi, who had previously established the philosophical quarterly Naghd va Nazar. Entekhab initially developed a moderate editorial identity, with many of its editorials shaped by intellectuals educated in Qom’s seminary system. Its willingness to present comparatively new or unconventional interpretations of political and religious issues made the publication influential—and controversial—in Iran’s political environment during the late 1990s. The original daily newspaper encountered state pressure soon after its launch. According to reference material, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ordered its closure shortly after it began publishing, although the paper later returned. It was ultimately banned in 2004. The Entekhab name nevertheless continued online through Entekhab.ir, which became one of Iran’s most visited news websites. The digital outlet covers domestic politics, foreign policy, society, and breaking news, and has been described as relatively close to reformist currents. Its editorial approach has included support for restoring relations with the United States while also advocating stronger ties with China, reflecting a pragmatic and sometimes independently critical approach to foreign affairs. Entekhab became particularly prominent during the 2009 Iranian presidential election. It was among the leading news websites supporting Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Following the mass protests after the disputed election results, the website was closed for more than eight months. More broadly, the outlet has reportedly faced more than sixteen bans or suspensions under the administrations of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Rouhani. These interruptions did not end the brand’s operation; instead, Entekhab continued to build influence through online publishing and its role in political news circulation. The website has been managed by Mostafa Faghihi, described in the reference material as a senior media adviser to former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Faghihi has repeatedly faced legal proceedings connected with his editorial work. Reported cases include allegations involving insults to the Supreme Leader and court proceedings related to the publication of information about the number of coronavirus deaths in Iran. Rafsanjani publicly praised the outlet for attracting a substantial audience and achieving a significant level of influence. In 2023, Entekhab faced one of its most serious recent confrontations with the authorities. The Supreme National Security Council and the Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance shut down the website from July through October after it published a video criticizing Iran’s foreign arrangements with China and Russia. The video, titled “Auction of the Iranian Brand: Why is Iranian Foreign Policy So Weak?”, challenged the government’s handling of those relationships. The website was confiscated, and although a judge ordered its release, government authorities reportedly did not comply for several weeks. Despite the shutdown, Entekhab’s digital presence and political significance have continued, making it an important example of the opportunities and constraints facing Iranian independent and reform-oriented news media.

Entekhab was established in 1991 as a Persian-language daily newspaper in Tehran. Its founder, Mohammad Mahdi Faghihi, had previously founded Naghd va Nazar, a philosophical quarterly. The new newspaper adopted a moderate orientation and published editorials influenced by writers with backgrounds in Qom’s seminary system. During the late 1990s, those editorials introduced perspectives that attracted substantial attention in Iran’s political debate. The publication’s editorial independence brought it into conflict with the authorities. Reference material states that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ordered the newspaper to close not long after its founding. Entekhab later reopened, but the newspaper was banned in 2004. The brand subsequently continued through an online edition, Entekhab.ir, which developed into one of Iran’s most prominent and frequently visited news websites. The online outlet expanded its role beyond general reporting by concentrating on domestic politics, foreign affairs, and breaking political news. It became associated with reformist and moderate positions, including support for renewed relations with the United States alongside closer ties with China. This combination gave Entekhab a distinctive position: it was not simply aligned with one external power, but often evaluated Iranian foreign policy through a pragmatic and critical lens. During the 2009 presidential election, Entekhab was among the principal online outlets supporting Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Following the disputed election and the protests that followed, the website was shut down for more than eight months. The interruption formed part of a broader pattern of regulatory pressure. The outlet has reportedly experienced more than sixteen bans under the administrations of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Rouhani, yet repeatedly returned to publication and maintained political influence. Mostafa Faghihi has managed the outlet and served as its chief editor. He has been described as a senior media adviser to former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Faghihi’s editorial activities led to repeated legal exposure, including a conviction or proceedings related to alleged insults toward the Supreme Leader and a summons connected with reporting on the actual number of coronavirus deaths in Iran. Rafsanjani praised Entekhab for building an audience and attaining meaningful influence. The most clearly documented recent suspension occurred in 2023. Between July and October, the Supreme National Security Council and the Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance shut down the website after it published a video criticizing Iran’s deals and relationships with China and Russia. The video, “Auction of the Iranian Brand: Why is Iranian Foreign Policy So Weak?”, argued that the government’s foreign-policy approach had failed to protect Iran’s interests. Authorities confiscated the website. Although a judge ordered that it be released, officials reportedly refused to comply for several weeks. Entekhab’s continued online identity after this episode illustrates both the resilience of the brand and the severe political constraints affecting Iranian news organizations.

1. 2023Website suspended over foreign-policy criticism

   Authorities shut down and confiscated Entekhab after it published a video criticizing Iran’s foreign-policy arrangements with China and Russia.

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2. 2009Website closed after election coverage

   After supporting Mir-Hossein Mousavi during the disputed presidential election, Entekhab’s website was closed for more than eight months.

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3. 2004Newspaper banned

   The original Entekhab newspaper was banned, while the brand continued through its online news presence.

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4. 1991Entekhab newspaper founded

   Mohammad Mahdi Faghihi founded the Persian-language newspaper in Tehran after establishing the philosophical quarterly Naghd va Nazar.

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5. Early closure ordered and publication later resumed

   The newspaper was ordered to close shortly after its founding and later reopened, according to the cited reference material.

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A Persian-language Iranian news outlet with a moderate to reform-oriented editorial profile, strong coverage of domestic politics and foreign policy, and a history of operating under substantial regulatory and political pressure.

• Entekhab newspaperPrint newspaper1991

  The original Persian-language daily founded in Tehran in 1991. It developed a moderate editorial identity and became known for politically engaged editorials influenced by seminary-educated writers. After repeated state pressure, the newspaper was ultimately banned in 2004.

• Entekhab.irOnline news service

  The active digital continuation of the Entekhab brand. The website publishes Persian-language reporting and analysis focused on Iranian domestic politics, foreign policy, society, and breaking news. It is regarded as one of Iran’s most influential and widely visited news websites, despite repeated bans and suspensions.

• 2023Published an openly critical foreign-policy videoStrategy

  Entekhab’s editorial coverage questioned Iran’s approach to its relationships and agreements with China and Russia.

  What changed. The outlet published “Auction of the Iranian Brand: Why is Iranian Foreign Policy So Weak?”, a video arguing that the government’s foreign-policy choices had been unsuccessful.

  Aftermath. The authorities shut down and confiscated the website from July to October 2023. A judge ordered its release, but officials reportedly delayed compliance for several weeks.

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• 2023Government shutdown over China and Russia foreign-policy videoControversy

  The Supreme National Security Council and the Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance suspended and confiscated Entekhab after it posted a video criticizing Iran’s foreign-policy deals with China and Russia. A judicial release order was reportedly not implemented for several weeks.

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• 2009Post-election closureControversy

  Entekhab was closed for more than eight months after its support for Mir-Hossein Mousavi during the disputed 2009 presidential election and the protests that followed.

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• Repeated bans and prosecutionsControversy

  The outlet has reportedly been banned more than sixteen times, while manager and chief editor Mostafa Faghihi has faced charges and proceedings involving criticism of senior authorities and coronavirus mortality reporting.

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• 2009Entekhab closed after supporting Mousavi during the 2009 election crisis

  The online outlet was identified as one of the leading news websites supporting Mir-Hossein Mousavi during the disputed presidential election. It was subsequently closed for more than eight months amid the protests that followed the election results.

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1. Entekhab
2. Entekhab official website