Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization

Iran's government agency responsible for cultural heritage preservation, handicrafts promotion, and tourism development. During the Ahmadinejad presidency, it became a power base for Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei and his associates, who used the organization to promote Iranian nationalist ideology. Successive heads from Ahmadinejad's inner circle — Mashaei (2005–2009), Hamid Baghaei (2009–2011), and Mohammad Sharif Malekzadeh (2012–2013) — reinforced its role as a factional stronghold.