During this time, President Hashemi Rafsanjani distanced himself from Zarghami.[2] Contradicting his harsh tenure, he has claimed to have 'paved the way' for artists in Iran.[2] In 2004, Supreme Leader Ali Khamemei appointed him to head of the state broadcasting service, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), a post that he held for ten years. His predecessor was Ali Larijani.