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Why did Iranian TV censor interview with Zarif?

After a highly anticipated interview with Iran's foreign minister was canceled, many accused state television of siding with conservatives in the country.

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 06:  Mohammad-Javad Zarif, minister of foreign affairs of Iran joins a bilateral meeting at the 51st Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 6, 2015 in Munich, Germany. Foreign ministers and defense ministers from countries across the globe are meeting to discuss current global security issues, in particular the crisis in eastern Ukraine, the spread of ISIS in Syria and Iraq and the large-scale movement and plight of refugees.  (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif joins a bilateral meeting at the 51st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Feb. 6, 2015. — Getty Images/Johannes Simon

After a highly promoted holiday interview with Iran’s popular Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was canceled at the last minute, Iranians cried foul, accusing state television of taking sides in a partisan quarrel ahead of the elections.

The interview was to take place with the popular television host Adel Ferdosipour, who hosts the most watched soccer news program in Iran, called “Navad,” or 90. The interview was scheduled to air on Shab-e Yalda, Winter Solstice, an ancient Iranian holiday that is secular, like Thanksgiving is in America.

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