[2] He was named Khomenei's representative at the Iran's Council of National Radio and TV but lost that post after hostage taking opponent Bani Sadr became president and engineered his resignation.

[2][3] He was the spiritual leader of the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line who led the hostage taking of American embassy staff on 4 November 1979.

Despite its limited circulation and focus on influencing policy, the paper became very popular and helped elect reformist Muhammad Khatami president in 1997.

[7] Salam was banned on 7 July 1999 for releasing "an alleged secret memo by a former intelligence agent, urging authorities to tighten restrictions on the press".

"[8] On 25 July 1999 the Special Clerical Court convicted Khoeiniha as Salam's publisher "of defamation and spreading false information in connection with the alleged memo".

The court ruled that the journalist was "guilty of disseminating untruthful and distorted news aimed at harming public opinion.