Tasnim News Agency

Tasnim News Agency launched in 2012 as a semi-official news outlet in Tehran, built on close connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The agency was created to provide a platform for conservative and military establishment perspectives that differed from state-run media like IRNA. Over the years, it has constructed a network of reporters across Iran and in key international locations, covering politics, economics, social issues, and international affairs. Its editorial stance emphasizes national security, regional conflicts, and anti-Western narratives, making it a significant voice in Iran's media landscape. All content on its website is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, allowing free reuse with attribution.

CEO Majid Gholizadeh oversees the agency's editorial direction and operations. The agency operates websites in Persian, English, Arabic, Turkish, and Urdu, and maintains active social media channels on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook. Tasnim positions itself as an alternative to both state-run outlets like IRNA and reformist-leaning media, competing directly with other IRGC-aligned agencies such as Fars News Agency and Mehr News Agency. Internationally, it vies with Press TV for influence over Iran-related narratives.

Tasnim has faced criticism for its close ties to the IRGC, with detractors arguing it functions as a propaganda arm for the military establishment. During the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, the agency was accused of downplaying the scale of demonstrations and amplifying government crackdown narratives. Its coverage of nuclear negotiations and regional conflicts has similarly drawn accusations of bias and disinformation. In 2023–2024, the agency expanded its English-language coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, positioning itself as a key source for IRGC-aligned perspectives. It has also increased its use of video content and social media to reach younger Iranian audiences.[edit]