Iran News Round Up

A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by Ali Alfoneh and Ahmad Majidyar. To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.

(E) = Article in English 

Politics

• Speculations about the 2013 presidential elections:
  • Policy analyst Sadeq Zibakalam: "The future president of Iran will be a traditional, principled one, meaning someone like [Gholam-Ali] Haddad Adel, Ali Larijani, Ali-Akbar Velayati or Said Jalili... with whom Ahmadinejad is currently in sharper conflict than with Hashemi [Rafsanjani] and the reformists. The conflict between the traditional principled ones and Ahmadinejad has increased to the degree that Ahmadinejad would certainly prefer Hashemi [Rafsanjani and the reformists to Ali Larijani or Ali-Akbar Velayati. Among the fellows of Ahmadineajd, it is only Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, who carries relatively considerable weight to reach presidency. It means he has a potential to win votes. I think it’s likely that Mashaei, just like Moeen in 2005, will first be disqualified by the Guardian Council, after which [the Guardian Council reconsiders] he would be allowed to run. It is very likely that Mashaei would gain vote. But of course, if [Mohammad] Khatami runs, Mashaei would not have a chance. On the other hand, if Mashaei's rivals are composed of traditional principled ones, their rivalry... would be like the Manchester United playing Kerman's Sarcheshmeh [soccer team]! If Mashaei's counterpart is [Mohammad-Baqer] Qalibaf, it would be like Manchester United vs. Liverpool; and if Mashaei faces Khatami, Mashaei would be like the Iranian national team vs. [FC] Barcelona!"      
  • E'temad speculates that Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, former judiciary chief, will run for president. The newspaper also speculates that in case the Guardian Council disqualifies Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, the Ahmadinejad government would support Ayatollah Shahroudi's candidacy.

Economy

• As Tehran Stock Exchange celebrates 35% growth rate, the highest growth rate in its forty-six-year existence, Donya-ye Eqtesad argues that the growth only was possible because of increased liquidity. 
  • Ali Saleh-Abadi, Stock Exchange Organization director, assures the public that the capital market "is not a bubble, the prices are real and the level of trade is very high."

Military and Security

• According to Hossein Azad, regular Navy First Operational Zone commander, Russian destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov is in Bandar Abbas in order to "strengthen military relations between Iran and Russia."

Photos of the Day

• Bon appétit.