SAEDNEWS: Tehran’s Deputy Mayor for Social and Cultural Affairs, has shared an anecdote about Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, describing what he called an example of personal financial integrity.
According to SAEDNEWS, In a written account, Tavakkoli‑Zadeh explained that shortly after he began serving in his position at the Tehran Municipality’s cultural and social department, Ayatollah Khamenei informed him that he had a request.
According to Tavakkoli‑Zadeh, the leader explained that several years earlier the Tehran Municipality’s Cultural and Artistic Organization had sent him an album of Ashura religious recitations as a gift. However, he believed that the cost of the album had never been formally paid.
Ayatollah Khamenei reportedly asked Tavakkoli‑Zadeh to follow up with the organization so that the album’s current value could be calculated and the payment returned to the public treasury.
Tavakkoli‑Zadeh said he contacted Mehdi Amrudi, who was serving at the time as head of the municipality’s Cultural and Artistic Organization, requesting that the updated price of the album be determined.
He noted that Amrudi was surprised by the request and initially believed payment was unnecessary since the album had been sent as a gift. Nevertheless, Tavakkoli‑Zadeh said he explained the leader’s religious and ethical position on the matter.
After the price was determined, Tavakkoli‑Zadeh reported the amount to Ayatollah Khamenei. A few days later, he said, he received an envelope containing the full payment, which was then formally transferred back to the Cultural and Artistic Organization as part of public funds.
Tavakkoli‑Zadeh concluded his account by describing the episode as a reflection of the leader’s sensitivity toward public property and financial responsibility.
