Iran News Round Up

A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by AEI Critical Threats Project Iran Analysts Mehrdad Moarefian, Marie Donovan, and Paul Bucala, with contributors Ryan Melvin and Mondona Salahshoor. To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.

(E) = Article in English

Excerpts of these translations may only be used with the expressed consent of the authors.

Key takeaway: President Rouhani indicated willingness to improve cooperation with Turkey despite differences on regional matters.

In a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Hassan Rouhani claimed, “The nuclear agreement will affect the relationship between Iran and its neighbors, especially Turkey;” he also told Erdogan, “we can find a ‘win-win’ solution in the region.” Rouhani may be signaling a willingness to improve cooperation on regional security and economic matters with Turkey despite differences regarding the situation in Syria.

European countries’ announcements of diplomatic visits to Iran in the wake of the nuclear deal continued as Secretary of State of the Swiss Foreign Ministry Yves Rossier indicated he would travel to Iran next week. The French, German, and French foreign ministers have announced plans to visit Iran in the near future.

German Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs Sigmar Gabriel will lead a 60-member German trade delegation to Iran, set to arrive in Tehran on July 19.  Russian Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov said, “Russia and Iran are negotiating the supply of Russian passenger planes Sukhoi Superjet 100 to Iran” as Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei highlighted various opportunities to increase the level of Iran-Russia bilateral trade once sanctions are lifted. 

AEI Resident Fellow J. Matthew McInnis explores reactions to the nuclear deal announcement from President Rouhani, Supreme Leader Khamenei, and other voices within Iran’s leadership in his most recent blogpost “Iran takes a victory lap.” 

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Rouhani to Erdogan: “We can find a ‘win-win’ solution in the region.” President Hassan Rouhani held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which Rouhani claimed that “the nuclear agreement will affect the relationship between Iran and its neighbors, especially Turkey.” Rouhani stressed the need for greater cooperation in solving regional issues and said that Turkey and Iran could play a constructive role in combating terrorism in the region. (President.ir) http://president.ir/fa/88176
   
• Rouhani thanks Omani Sultan for “constructive role” in the nuclear talks. President Hassan Rouhani thanked Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said for Oman’s role in the nuclear negotiations during a telephone conversation between the two leaders. Rouhani also called for greater regional cooperation between the two countries. (Tasnim News Agency) (E) http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/803180
   
•  Iran’s ambassador to Russia calls for greater joint cooperation. Mehdi Sanaei said that there is “great potential” for cooperation between Iran and Russia. Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow claimed that “many Russian companies have offices in Iran and are waiting for the lifting of sanctions.” Sanaei stressed that there are other areas of cooperation for the two countries to pursue, adding: “Russia and Iran…despite considering each other as partners, still have a relatively low level of bilateral trade.” (YJC) http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5264805/%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%A2%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF
   
• Swiss diplomat to travel to Iran next week. Secretary of State of the Swiss Foreign Ministry Yves Rossier is scheduled to travel to Iran next week. He will meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi to discuss the recent nuclear agreement and other “political and economic issues.” (IRIB) http://www.iribnews.ir/NewsBody.aspx?ID=87864
   
• Nigerian president to travel to Tehran. President Hassan Rouhani officially invited Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to Iran during a diplomatic visit between Presidential Executive Advisor Mohammad Shariatmadari and Buhari. The Nigerian President accepted the invitation and congratulated Iran for its success in the nuclear negotiations. (Alef) http://alef.ir/vdcevx8wwjh8vei.b9bj.html?28txt

Official Statements

• Velayati condemns oppression in regional countries. Ali Akbar Velayati wrote a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iranian nation wishing them a happy Eid al Fitr (the festival of fast-breaking). The Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Supreme Leader stated that “enemies’ cruelty, malice, and oppression continue in Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Libya, and Pakistan, with the help and support of reactionary countries in the region…” The Secretary General of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening stated, “With the guidance of Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, Islamic Iran will continue on the path of its growth and excellence more than ever…” (Mehr News) http://www.mehrnews.com/news/2860883/%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AF%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%B9%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D9%86%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%AF-%D8%B4%D8%AF
   
• Kermani: Israel and Saudi Arabia are “extremely unhappy” with the nuclear deal. Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Movahedi Kermani praised the Iranian people for their resilience in dealing with economic sanctions. The Interim Tehran Friday Prayer Leader stated that Iran would only accept the P5+1 deal if all sanctions are immediately removed, frozen revenues are returned, and its revolutionary ideas are preserved. Kermani urged Iranian officials to scrutinize the deal and its annexes, stressing:
  • "This is important, as I have heard some critics saying the deal has not preserved the Supreme Leader’s red lines."
  • On Israel and Saudi Arabia: "Israel and its allies, especially Saudi Arabia, are extremely unhappy about this deal, and this is the best proof to show how valuable the deal is." (Mashregh News) http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/442155/%D8%AF%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AA%DA%A9%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A8-%D8%AF%D8%A8%D9%91%D9%87-%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF

Nuclear Deal

• Zarif: The nuclear agreement is an opportunity for greater regional cooperation. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed the post-deal regional environment in a letter for Eid al Fitr. He claimed that “I am confident that the environment after the deal will yield greater bilateral and regional cooperation.” (MFA) http://mfa.ir/index.aspx?siteid=1&fkeyid=&siteid=1&fkeyid=&siteid=1&pageid=176&newsview=349490
   
• Boroujerdi: Nuclear deal gives Iran special status. Parliamentarian Alaeddin Boroujerdi praised the Supreme Leader for guiding the Iranian negotiating team. The National Security and Foreign Policy (NSFP) Parliamentary Commission Chairman stated: “Iran is now in a special place due to its success in the nuclear field…In more than 30 years of working in the foreign policy field, I have never seen any country” with Iran’s “greatness and glory.” (Nasim Online) http://nasimonline.ir/detail/News/1014118/136
   
• Naghdi calls for critical examination of nuclear agreement. IRGC Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naghdi underlined the need for a comprehensive review of the P5+1 nuclear deal, stressing: “There is no way it can be taken lightly.” The Basij Organization Commander emphasized that the “Supreme Leader’s clear policy” requires legal authorities to investigate the nuclear issue. Naghdi added that if Parliamentarians “express their views, whether it be positive or negative,” without careful examination of the 159-page text of the Joint Plan of Action between Iran and the P5+1, is committing great disservice to their constituents. (Fars News Agency) http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13940426000654

Economy

• Iranian supertanker heads for Asia with 2 million barrels of oil. Iranian crude oil supertanker Starla, operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), reportedly set sail for Asia with two million barrels of oil. This is the first Iranian tanker to leave Iran’s waters since the signing of the P5+1 nuclear deal. (IRIB) http://www.iribnews.ir/NewsText.aspx?ID=607313
   
• Russia and Iran reportedly negotiating delivery of Sukhoi Superjets. Russian Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov said that “Russia and Iran are negotiating the supply of Russian passenger planes Sukhoi Superjet 100 to Iran.” According to Russian news outlet RIA Novosti, “It is profitable to offer not just the Superjets but also other vehicles and machinery, as it raises certain interest in our Iranian colleagues.” (IRNA) http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81685615/
   
• Iranian minister invites foreign airlines to resume flights. Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi called on international airlines to resume flights to Iran. He said, “Given the recent positive incidents, we can directly purchase brand new products of the big international aviation companies, especially passenger planes for short distance flights.” (Fars News Agency) (E) http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940426000437
   
• German trade delegation to visit Iran on Sunday. A 60-strong German trade delegation led by German Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs Sigmar Gabriel will land in Tehran on Sunday. Representatives from car manufacturers Volkswagen and Daimler will accompany the delegation as they try "to race back into the emerging market." “Iranian officials…have called for stricter terms” in any agreement with foreign automakers to ensure that there cannot be an easy withdrawal "under the slightest pressure." (Press TV) (E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/07/17/420653/iran-france-germany-auto-industry
   
• India plans on building an aluminum smelter complex in Iran. India's National Aluminum Company (NALCO) is “strongly” considering plans to build a $3 billion aluminum smelter complex in Iran. In 2014, the company purportedly decided to wait “for the removal of sanctions” to continue its plans for the complex. (Press TV) (E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/07/17/420668/iran-india-aluminum-smelter-nalco