Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance (وزارت فرهنگ و ارشاد اسلامی) is an Iranian government ministry formed in 1984 through the merger of the Ministry of Culture and Art with the Ministry of Information and Tourism. The ministry regulates media access, enforces internet censorship, and manages cultural content deemed to violate Iranian ethics or promote foreign values. It oversees licensing for import and export of films, books, audio recordings, visual art, and printed materials, while also managing the alignment of religion with state law. Employing over 12,700 staff, the ministry serves as one of Iran’s three “sovereign” ministerial departments, operating independently from external audit and playing a crucial role in controlling information flow and cultural expression within the Islamic Republic.
