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: The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Head (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi denied reports of two secret deals between Iran and the IAEA involving inspections of the Parchin military site.

AEOI Head Salehi stated that any inspection of Parchin will only be based on the parameters in the Iran-IAEA Roadmap agreement.  Salehi’s comments are a response to reports that there are two classified side deals to the nuclear agreement, which cover the Parchin military site and the possible military dimensions [PMD] of Iran’s nuclear program.

The Supreme Leader’s Chief of Staff Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani hailed the Iranian nuclear negotiating team for their “courageous” stand against the P5+1.  Golpayegani warned that the U.S.  would “end up ashamed and frustrated” if it took aggressive action against Iran.  IRCG Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri, meanwhile, claimed that developing Iran’s defense capabilities is “on the agenda.”

Official Statements

• Khamenei’s Chief of Staff praises Iranian negotiating team. Hojjat ol Eslam Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani hailed the Iranian nuclear negotiating team for standing “courageously” against the P5+1. The Supreme Leader's Chief of Staff stated that Iran “is never after war, but if America seeks to take an [aggressive] measure, it will end up ashamed and frustrated.” Golpayegani added:

  • “The people [Iranians] have tasted freedom after the victory of the Islamic Revolution; they will never allow global arrogance [the West] to infiltrate [Iran].” (Entekhab) http://www.entekhab.ir/fa/news/216844

• Haddad Adel: “Be certain that some will interpret the deal as reconciliation with America.”  Expediency Discernment Council (EDC) member Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, the father-in-law of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba, criticized some reactions to the deal by stating “some reformist newspapers are showing on the first page that a McDonalds will open. They want to put aside the believers of the revolution who stand against oppression and arrogance…the danger is right there; when I see the first page of some newspapers do not have news of the oppressed people of Yemen but only talk about a new era of relations with America….the Supreme Leader in his first speech after the Vienna agreement most of all attacked and criticized America and the international arrogance.”  (Mashregh News) http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/444358/%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%84-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B4-%D9%BE%D8%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF

• Sedighi: Critique of the nuke deal must be “constructive.” Tehran Interim Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat ol Eslam Kazem Sedighi stated on July 24, “As it has for the past 36 years, the nation of Iran will stand against the arrogance [the West]…” Sedighi stressed “the importance of unity following the conclusion of the nuclear negotiations,” and stated: “Criticisms [of the nuclear deal] should be constructive, caring, and fair, and raised without any insult or slander.” He continued, “[Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] gave the negotiating team its power and he allowed critics to raise criticism in a friendly and sincere atmosphere; today the Supreme National Security Council assumed responsibility on behalf of Parliament to scrutinize the deal; the required resistance and problem solving will take place.” (YJC) http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5270344/%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%87-%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B5%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AF

• Shirazi states agreement might have “problems.” Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi delivered a speech where he touched upon the recent nuclear deal, stating he cannot guarantee that the agreement does not have "issues and problems.” However, he also stated that officials are searching to identify and remedy any weaknesses of the deal. In addition, Shirazi described that the only way to deal with Iran’s “enemies” following the 22-month negotiations is with “unity and harmony.” (Entekhab) http://www.entekhab.ir/fa/news/216576

Nuclear Deal

• Salehi: No separate deal on Parchin. Ali Akbar Salehi stated that there is not a separate agreement with the IAEA about the Parchin military installation. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Head stated that the parameters to visit Parchin are only outlined in the framework agreement. (Raja News) http://www.rajanews.com/news/217715

• Boroujerdi: Iran among world powers. Parliamentarian Alaeddin Boroujerdi stated that the nuclear negotiations illustrated Iran's standing among the superpowers. The National Security and Foreign Policy Parliamentary (NSFP) Commission Chairman added, "All [the] world powers sat before Iran at the negotiations table and accepted a nuclear Iran.” (IRNA) (E) http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81692761/

Military and Security

• Jazayeri: “Development of… defense capacities” is “on the agenda.” IRGC Brig. Gen. Massoud Jazayeri stated, “Iran’s new generation missiles are ready to confront and deal with any aggressor.” The Armed Forces General Staff Headquarters Basij Affairs and Defense Culture Deputy added, “Iran’s armed forces will spare no effort to protect the country’s independence and territorial integrity, and the ideals and the values of the state and the nation; regardless of the bullying, arrogant…powers, it [Iran’s armed forces] put development of its defense capacities on the agenda.” Jazayeri also stated, “They [the Americans] know that the inventory of America’s betrayal and murder against the Iranian nation is so dense that they should not sensationalize… their nuclear talks with Iran, because the Iranian nation will never forget the United States’ black record against it.” (Sepah News) http://www.sepahnews.com/shownews.Aspx?ID=6fbc45d2-8746-4171-88d6-a01cb1932247

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• President Rouhani and his French counterpart discuss bilateral relations. President Hassan Rouhani promoted Tehran-Paris cooperation in a phone call with his French counterpart Francois Hollande on July 23. Rouhani stated: “In the last ten years, both countries have missed numerous opportunities to deepen and develop their relations. Iran seeks cooperation and action of European countries, including France, to confront terrorist groups in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.” (President.ir) (E) http://president.ir/en/88316

• Foreign Ministry responds to comments from Bahraini interior minister. Bahraini Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah al Khalifa had “accused Iran of interfering in [Bahraini] domestic affairs and disrespecting the values of neighborly relations.” In response, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham called al Khalifa’s remarks “groundless.”  She further “described terrorism and the sectarian approaches adopted by certain parties as the real security threats” to the region. (Press TV) http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/07/24/421656/Iran-Bahrain-Marziyeh-Afkham-Rashid-bin-Abdulla-Al-Khalifa

• Jannati: “Recent developments will benefit Syria and the regional community.” The Islamic Culture and Guidance Minister Ali Jannati met with Bouthaina Shaaban in Damascus. Jannati emphasized “Iran’s support for the government and people of Syria in the war with terrorism and radicalism” to the Political and Media Advisor to the Syrian President. Jannati stated that “Recent developments will benefit Syria and the regional community, particularly the fact that the West has officially admitted to the risk posed by terrorism, which threatens the general public.” (IRIB) http://www.iribnews.ir/NewsBody.aspx?ID=88324

Economy

• Javani stresses domestic development and resistance. IRGC Brig. Gen. 2C Yadollah Javani said that Iran’s economic issues will not be solved with foreign investment. The Senior Political Advisor to the Representative of the Supreme Leader to the IRGC underlined the need for domestic development and self-reliance to successfully implement the resistance economy doctrine. Javani added that the resistance economy will make Iran immune to external impulses in the global market. (Basij Press) http://basijpress.ir/fa/news-details/51523/

• Indian economic delegation set to arrive in Tehran on July 25. The delegation is scheduled to meet with Iranian Oil Ministry officials to discuss the “method of payment of [India’s] 6.5 billion dollar oil debt” to Iran and “the development of the Farzad B gas field development.” (Tabnak) http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/519301/%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86 

• Iranian and Austrian firms agree to co-produce low-consumption automotive engine. On the sidelines of the Iran-EU trade and investment conference in Vienna, four Iranian and European companies signed a 110 million euro deal for the production of low-consumption Euro 6 engines. TUVPR stated “With the launch of the production line of this power train family and its application in local vehicles, up to 15 billion liters of fuel will be saved with the production of four million cars in the next 10 years.” (Press TV)(E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/07/23/421548/Iran-austria-investment-conference-vienna-engine

• Iranian airline will buy 100 planes. Samad Aminzadeh stated the company plans to purchase “100 up-to-date planes to fulfill its needs in the domestic and international flight routes.” The Aseman Airlines Commercial Director added “only 40 to 50 percent of a total 30 planes in possession of Aseman Airlines are now in service.” (Tasnim News Agency) (E) http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/808323

Domestic Politics

• Personal pages for Mohsen Rezaei established on four social networking sites. Mohsen Rezaei’s official website announced that personal pages for Rezaei have been established on Instagram and the Iranian networking sites, Aparat, Cloob, and Lenzor. The Expediency Discernment Council Secretary’s website stated that these pages have been established in order to “network directly with individuals” and to follow regional developments. (Rezaee.ir) http://rezaee.ir/fa/news/2096/%D8%B5%D9%81%D8%AD%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%A8%DA%A9%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8