World press on Iranian media criticizing Oscar win for "Argo" (February 25, 2013)

The Telegraph published an article today entitled "Oscars 2013: Iran
dismisses Argo as 'advert for the CIA'."

"The semi-official Mehr news agency called the Oscar "politically
motivated" because First Lady Michelle Obama, from the White House,
joined Jack Nicholson via video link in Los Angeles to help present
the best film prize. Iran's state TV called the film "an
advertisement for the CIA." Iran's culture minister, Mohammad
Hosseini, said Hollywood has "distorted history" as part of what
Iranian officials call a "soft war" of cultural influence in Iran.
Others say "Argo" also shows the need for Iranian film makers to deal
more with issues from the Revolution. The moderate Hamshahri newspaper
said the movie "targeted the culture and civilisation of Iran," but "it is
worthwhile for Iranians to see a different perspective of the events
that led to the collapse of relations between the U.S. and Iran," the
article reads.

The Washington Post commented on the issue with an article "Iranian
media criticize Oscar win for ‘Argo’ and Iran." The newspaper quotes
the official newspapers, saying that the negative perception of the
movie in Iran "was re-enforced by the surprise presenter of the award,
Michelle Obama. Fars News, Iran’s main hardline outlet, wasted no time
in questioning her role, writing, 'in a rare occasion in Oscar
history, the First Lady announced the winner for Best Picture for the
anti-Iranian film ‘Argo,’ which is produced by the Zionist company Warner
Bros'."

"Others criticized the way Affleck referred to the Islamic Republic in his
acceptance speech when he said, “I want to thank our friends in Iran
who live under terrible circumstances.” Mehr News ran this headline:
'After distorting history, Ben Affleck continues to show a bleak
picture of Iran: Iranians live in terrible circumstances'," the
article reads.

The article concludes by reminding that "the award comes less than
two days before already tense nuclear talks between Iran and global
powers resume in Almaty, Kazakhstan."