Russian Media Utilizes Raisi’s Death To Strengthen Pro-Dictatorship And Anti-Western Sentiments

Following the recent death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Russian state media and officials are leveraging the event to bolster domestic support for authoritarian governance and to promote an anti-Western agenda. By drawing comparisons between Raisi’s leadership and that of Russian President Vladimir Putin, they aim to enhance public appreciation for strong, centralized control and to emphasize a united front against Western adversaries.

From the time of Iranian President’s death on 19th May, Pro-Russian media, including not the official sources like Telegram channels started to express their condolences and sorrow towards the Iranian people. This coordinated media effort underscores the strategic importance of Russo-Iranian relations and reflects the broader geopolitical narrative that Russia seeks to project.

A notable example of this media campaign can be seen on Abbas Djuma’s Telegram channel. Djuma, a prominent Russian journalist known for his pro-state stance and commentary on Middle Eastern affairs, posted a heartfelt message: “Dear Iranians, I offer you my sincere condolences. You have lost one of the best, but his work will live on. Iran will survive and win. And Russia will be with you both in sorrow and in joy.” Djuma’s message is indicative of the broader Russian media strategy, which aims to foster a sense of camaraderie and shared struggle between Russia and Iran.

Abbas Djuma, who was in Iran at the time of Raisi’s death, provided extensive coverage of the events following the president’s demise. Known for his interviews with groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, Djuma’s presence in Iran added a layer of authenticity and immediacy to the Russian media reports. His reports were picked up by major Russian news outlets, including RT, which highlighted the public mourning and state funeral proceedings in Tehran.

One of Djuma’s reports from the streets of Tehran included a video with subtitles that expressed gratitude towards Russia and Putin: “We thank Russia and Mr. Putin for monitoring the situation. And we wish everyone to be alive and well, including Mr. Putin.”

In his reports, Djuma drew parallels between Raisi and the “legendary” General Qassem Soleimani, noting the massive crowds that gathered to pay homage to Raisi.

Screenshot of the post from Abbas Djuma’s Telegram channel. The text says: “Exclusive. In Mashhad, where the President of Iran is being buried today, the unthinkable is happening. The story of the funeral of the legendary General Qassem Soleimani is repeating itself. There are no room in the tomb, all the squares around are filled [with people]”

The narratives presented in these reports were further amplified by user comments on social media, expressing condolences and aligning with the pro-Russian stance. Comments on Djuma’s Telegram channel reflected a deep sense of loss and solidarity with Iran, often accompanied by blame directed at Israel and the West for the helicopter crash that led to Raisi’s death.

One user wrote: “A friend of Russia has passed away… A wise and reliable person, a worthy politician… There are very few like him now. His departure is truly a loss… Stay strong, Iran.”

Another comment read: “Eternal memory to the one treacherously killed by Western plotters and Zionists.”

Comment saying: “And also the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who constantly visited us, I watched and listened to all his press conferences with Lavrov just ‘yesterday’. He practically became like family to me. I’m in shock.”

Comment saying: “[I am] very sad for the Man, the Politician… Condolences to the family, to the [Iranian] people. And the passenger who was in the first helicopter said there was no fog… Strange, isn’t it?”

Given the complex situation with media in Russia, especially independent media, it’s no surprise that people with similar views to the government are congregating on Telegram channels like Abbas Djuma’s and Russia Today. This knowledge helps researchers to identify the direction of the pro-government and pro-Putin propaganda and what efforts might media “bot” campaigns do to bolster the agendas and public support for their narratives. These channels, focusing on opposition to the West and their “incorrect” or “unholy” agendas, also aim to align the agenda of the Iranian government leader with Russia’s realities through their content and comment sections.

One of the accounts were spreading the video from the web-site of Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, with the cover image saying: “President, protector of the oppressed”. The video contained Raisi’s speech addressed to kids in Gaza.

Thus, Russia’s central TV channels have been promoting a friendly agenda towards Iran. Raisi was portrayed as a powerful politician and a great friend of the Russian people, united in their common struggle against the West. Putin himself spoke on Russian TV before sending State Duma Chairman Volodin to Iran to participate in the late president’s funeral ceremony. In his address, he asked Volodin to convey his condolences to the Iranian people, describing Raisi as a trustworthy and loyal partner. He also pledged to maintain the current state of Russo-Iranian relations.

Russian central TV channels have also played a crucial role in this propaganda campaign. Channel One, Russia’s largest TV channel, issued a series of reports portraying Raisi as a strong politician and a great friend of the Russian people. The narrative was bolstered by footage of people bringing flowers to the Iranian embassy in Moscow, and a voiceover stating: “An unprecedented number of sanctions were imposed on the country by the West, but the country endured, adapted, and continues to develop.”

Images of Iran’s struggle with U.S. sanctions were broadcast on Russia’s main state channel

It is important to recognize that Channel One serves as Russia’s primary propaganda tool, primarily targeting the domestic population. The news campaigns orchestrated by Channel One reflect precisely how the Russian government wants its citizens to perceive specific agendas.

The day after, during negotiations with Belarus President Lukashenko, Putin stated that the accompanying helicopters were of Russian manufacture and therefore could reach their destination safely. He noted that these helicopters followed the same air route as Raisi’s American-made Bell 212 helicopter.

Other decentralized Telegram sources also followed a similar agenda. A post from the Telegram channel Voblya showed crowds of people with a note stating that the West avoids showing these images, as they prefer to claim that Iranians were against their leader and desired democracy and freedom.

Screenshot of a Telegram post saying: “

“Footage of the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as he is taken to his burial place in the mausoleum of Imam Reza in Mashhad. He is accompanied by a black river of people. In the West, they do not like to show these scenes, as their television still tells stories of how Iranians were against their leader and wanted democracy and freedom.”

This Telegram channel reports crowds at President Raisi’s burial site chanting “Death to America.”

Text on the screenshot: “Iranians gathered at the Imam Reza shrine, where the body of President Raisi lies, and are chanting ‘Death to America!'”

The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been utilized by Russian state media and pro-government figures to reinforce domestic support for authoritarian governance and to draw parallels between Raisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The extensive media coverage and public expressions of solidarity with Iran serve to bolster the narrative of a united front against Western adversaries. This orchestrated media response underscores the importance of Russo-Iranian relations and illustrates the propaganda techniques employed to strengthen the legitimacy and public approval of Russia’s centralized political system. The event highlights the symbiotic relationship between Russian and Iranian state narratives, particularly in framing Western nations as common antagonists and emphasizing shared resilience against external pressures.