Iranian authorities have banned the Egyptian television series “The Assassins” (“El-Hashashin” in Arabic), accusing it of portraying a distorted and biased view of Iranian history.
The 30-episode series depicts Hassan-i Sabbah, the founder of a controversial Shiite sect known for assassinations during the 11th century.
Mehdi Seifi, head of Tehran’s media regulatory body, announced the ban on Sunday, stating the show’s narrative contains “many distortions” and a “biased political approach.”
State media outlet IRNA further criticized the series for presenting “a false image of Iranians” and attempting to link them to the “roots of terrorism.” Another agency, ISNA, condemned the series as a “falsification of truth.”
“The Assassins” gained popularity across the Middle East during its Ramadan broadcast. However, Iranian officials remain unconvinced by its historical accuracy.
The series explores the story of Sabbah and his followers, the Assassins, who operated from mountain strongholds in present-day Iran. Despite the ban, the legend of Sabbah continues to hold historical and cultural significance.
The remains of Alamut castle, where the Assassins resided, is a popular tourist destination in northern Iran.
