The initiative was officially launched during a high-level meeting attended by seminary leaders and senior religious figures. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, Director of Iran’s Seminaries, emphasized the enduring role of the clergy and seminaries as steadfast supporters of the Iranian people, the Islamic Republic, and its leadership.
“In these challenging times, all institutions have mobilized from the outset in an organized and purposeful manner, which is highly commendable,” Ayatollah Arafi noted. He further urged seminary managers and cultural activists not to wait for directives from higher authorities, but to carry out their responsibilities independently, while ensuring their efforts are unified and aligned.
The new base will have operational branches at the provincial and city levels through the Provincial Institutions Coordination Council, which includes clergy members, Friday prayer leaders, and affiliated institutions. Ayatollah Arafi indicated that additional entities may join the council as required.
He stressed the importance of synergy among institutional committees and confirmed that specialized thematic committees will continue functioning in parallel to this new headquarters.
In a formal decree issued during the event, Hujjat al-Islam Hossein Rafiei, Deputy for Propaganda and Cultural Affairs of the Seminaries, was appointed as Commander of the Combined Warfare Base.
The decree from Ayatollah Arafi reads in part:
“Given the gravity of the current situation facing the Islamic Republic and the ongoing hybrid war, and recognizing the critical role of the seminaries in articulating truths, reinforcing national dignity, and bolstering public resilience, I hereby appoint Your Excellency as Assistant Director in this domain and charge you with the formation of this special headquarters and the mobilization of all associated personnel and resources.”
This move is part of a broader effort to enhance the seminaries’ role in countering psychological, media, and ideological warfare and promoting unity and clarity among the Iranian public during a time of heightened geopolitical tensions.
