Iran News Round Up

President Hassan Rouhani hit back at his conservative detractors in remarks before experts and lawmakers at the Festival of Health Facilitation on July 11. Rouhani asserted that “we must not be afraid in the face of a number [of figures] who unfortunately have large megaphones in their hands.” Rouhani stated that his ultimate focus was “the nation of Iran, the country’s interests, and the regime of the Islamic Republic.” (Radio Farda) (ISNA)

• Rouhani also defended his support of Iran’s defenses and armed forces at the Festival of Health Facilitation. Rouhani claimed that the amount of “strategic weapons” built under his administration amounts to “as much as 80 percent of all strategic weapons made under previous administrations.” Rouhani also referenced Iran’s missile strikes in Deir ez Zour, Syria, and stated, “Those who launched the missiles made a sacrifice, but who built the missiles? It is the administration. The defense ministry builds strategic missiles and the required money is provided by the economic sector.” (Mehr News Agency) (E) (President.ir) (E) (President.ir)

Hojjat ol Eslam Hassan Khomeini, grandson of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, addressed growing tensions in Iran’s political arena in a statement issued on July 11. Khomeini stated that current animosity in the political sphere stemmed from “a lack of dialogue” between opposing factions. Khomeini added that “having as little [political] disorder as possible… is a basic condition [for creating] a healthy society.” He noted, “much of the time we imagine that others have negative impressions or intentions towards us, but when we interact with one another we realize either that this was not the case or, that if it was, it was not to [so great] an extent.” (ISNA)

President Hassan Rouhani’s administration has countered claims of electoral infractions levied by Friday prayer leaders with complaints of its own against the armed forces and Friday prayer leaders. Vice President for Legal Affairs Majid Ansari stated in remarks on July 10 that “many” electoral media infractions were committed by “the armed forces, the security forces, and Friday prayer leaders, on the basis of which the government has issued complaints.” Ansari stated that these infractions included the use of public funds by certain institutions as well as interference on behalf of figures or institutions forbidden from being involved in the electoral process. (BBC Persian)

Oil minister Bijan Zanganeh hit back at opponents of Iran’s recently signed $5bn deal with French oil and gas company Total. Zanganeh raised instances of past opposition to deals with the UK, U.S., and France and challenged opponents to “directly say that [they] oppose foreign investment” rather than manufacturing pretexts for opposing deals. (BBC Persian)

Recently-appointed commander of IRGC Mohammad Rasoul Allah Unit (Greater Tehran) Brig. Gen. 2C  Mohammad Reza Yazdi attended a meeting with the reformist-backed Omid parliamentary  faction on July 12. Topics of conversation during the meeting reportedly included domestic issues, as well as regional and international threats. (ISNA)

First Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri emphasized that signing the Total deal with France is in Iran’s national interests and is a blow to U.S. attempts to freeze the flow of money and capital into Iran. (IRNA)

Principlist parliamentarian Mohammad Reza Bahonar stated that “nobody should complain about IRGC presence in Iran’s economy” claiming that “even in times of peace, the U.S. army works for civil construction in its own country.” Bahonar added that despite its drawbacks, the Total deal with France helps attracts foreign investment in Iran which is indispensable to the country’s economic growth. (ISNA)

Omani foreign minister Yusuf bin Alawi held meetings in Tehran on July 12 with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani. The meetings reportedly included discussions of regional issues and the expansion of the economic relations between the two countries. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghassemi reiterated that Iran’s relationship with Oman is “special” and that the foreign minister’s visit “bears a message.” (ISNA) (Tasnim News Agency)

Iran’s state railway company signed a $1.3 billion deal with its Italian counterpart for the construction of a high speed rail line between the Iranian cities of Arak and Qom. (Press TV) (E)

Iranian media outlets reported the death of Fatemiyoun fighter Ali Jafari on July 11. (Khabar Farsi)

• Two Fatemiyoun fighters buried in Arak. Hossein Ebrahimi and Kazem Khavari will be buried in Arak, Markazi Province on July 13. The fighters were killed in Syria. (Defa Press)

The Russian naval Makhachkala flotilla arrived at the Caspian port city of Bandar Anzali in northwest Iran on July 12. The Makhachkala flotilla will be docked at Bandar Anzali until Saturday and is the fifth such flotilla to berth at Bandar Anzali in the last ten years. The flotilla’s commander will meet with local civilian and military officials before departing on July 15. (Tasnim News Agency) (E)