Rasoul Khadem criticised for attacking Iran’s defenders rather than its aggressors

According to Saed News, Rasoul Khadem, Iran’s celebrated wrestling hero, sparked fierce debate when he took to social media to denounce those “feeding off sanctions, war and misery”—a statement widely interpreted as targeting the country’s own defenders. Khadem’s remarks came days after Israeli air strikes resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian commanders, prompting many to question why a national icon would direct blame inward.

In a piece for Tabnak, Saed News reports that Khadem’s comments drew immediate backlash from families of the fallen and political figures alike, who stressed that Iran had only retaliated in self‑defence. “We did not start this war,” critics reminded Khadem, pointing out that it was Iranian forces who stood between ordinary citizens and renewed aggression.

Observers note that Khadem’s silence on pro‑Israeli statements by exiled figures such as Reza Pahlavi has compounded public frustration. While Khadem lambasted fellow Iranians, he offered no critique of those who openly supported the strikes—a discrepancy that many see as undermining national unity at a time of crisis.

As calls grow for prominent voices to foster solidarity, analysts warn that internal divisions play into the hands of those seeking to weaken Iran’s resolve. For a country still mourning its martyrs, the debate over Khadem’s comments underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and collective cohesion in the face of external threat.