Hojjatoleslam and Muslims Hossein Taeb: The Necessity of an Offensive Approach in the Narrative of Resistance

The Necessity of Narration in Soft Warfare

Hojjatoleslam and Muslims Hossein Taeb, the head of the Basij Organization, emphasized the necessity of utilizing artistic capacities to narrate the resistance experience of the Iranian nation and the developments in Palestine at the second international event "The Honest Promise in the Mirror of Art," held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in Tehran. He stated that the narration of any incident is not complete without considering the contexts of its formation and its consequences, noting that both the "prior narrative" and the "subsequent narrative" of an event must be taken into account for a precise understanding.

He added: "The main goal of soft warfare is not to occupy land, but to change individual and collective mindsets and to seize the value system of societies." Taeb highlighted the sensitivity of nations towards concepts such as freedom and justice, stressing the importance of a deep understanding of these concepts in analyzing social and political developments.

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Media and the Challenges of Narration

Furthermore, Hojjatoleslam Taeb considered the role of media in shaping public opinion as one of the most important tools, stating that a significant portion of the media and communication infrastructures in the world are influenced by major powers. He said: "Many different narratives, especially those that can affect public opinion in the West, face restrictions in publication."

The head of the Basij Organization emphasized that artists and cultural movements cannot merely be consumers of dominant narratives; they must produce their own narratives and convey the realities of their region and society to the world through art. In this context, he stressed the necessity of using artistic tools such as film, theater, and literature to represent realities.

Developments in Palestine and Their Historical Analysis

In another part of his speech, Hojjatoleslam Taeb deemed it essential to consider the historical background of events for analyzing developments in Palestine and the region. He referred to the "Storm of Al-Aqsa" operation, which challenged the intelligence and military capabilities of the Zionist regime, stating: "The formation of the Zionist regime after World War II and the role of Western powers in turning Israel into a military base in West Asia are among the components that must be considered to understand the current situation in the region."

He also pointed to the 250-year history of the United States and its efforts to spread its claimed values globally, mentioning the protests of American students against the Gaza war and considering these protests as a sign of the gap between the claims and actions of Western powers.

Resistance Experiences and the Future of Artistic Narration

In conclusion, Hojjatoleslam Taeb emphasized the necessity of reflecting the steadfastness and unity of the Iranian people in artistic productions, stating: "This experience must be transformed into artistic works that connect with audiences in the region and the world." He identified the three main missions of the Basij of Artists as "training artists, producing artistic works, and directing art and artists," emphasizing the need to train artists who understand soft warfare and cognitive warfare.

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