Iran News Round Up

 A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by Ali Alfoneh, Ahmad Majidyar and Michael Rubin.  To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.
 
(E) = Article in English

Politics

• Presidential crisis: 
  • Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani: "The Leader said that the parliament was entitled to question and impeach the president."
  • Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, addressing Revolutionary Guards commanders, warns against factional disputes in Iran:
    • "One must reduce the conflicts of opinion and taste and one should not add to the charged atmosphere of partisan debates... Do those who contribute to these discussions not see the excitement of the propaganda machinery of foreigners and their analyses? Happiness of the enemy shows that this issue is a weak spot; therefore, one should put an end to it... Sometimes it is possible that a current blocks the path of the Islamic revolution, and at that time, the duty is to defend the revolution, just like the events of 2009... But on other occasions, the issue is difference of opinion and inclination and not opposition to the revolution. Under those circumstances, it is the duty of everyone not to contribute to the differences of opinion... I have nothing against awareness [of the public about political disputes], logical explanations based on arguments in the face of wrong statements, but one should not make the wrong statements into headlines so everyone becomes aware of it..."
  • Kayhan warns against the campaign of disclosures between the competing factions in Iran.
  • The president’s website condemns "unprofessional and unethical behavior of some news websites and agencies" about Ahmadinejad's statements on smuggling in Iran – a reference to Ahmadinejad's veiled statements accusing the Revolutionary Guards of smuggling and illicit trade.
  • Ahmadinejad opposes separation of sexes at universities.
  • Revolutionary Guards Chief Mohammad-Ali Jafari does not rule out the possibility of Mohammad Khatami returning to politics, and adds it depends on the positions Khatami takes.
  • Commander Abd al-Ali Najafi, former Ansar al-Mahdi Revolutionary Guards unit chief and head of Ahmadinejad's security guard, resigns due to "problems with the president's entourage," and is replaced by a certain Assadnezhad.
• Fatemeh Ajorlou, parliamentarian close to the Ahmadinejad faction, says she believes women will soon be allowed in sports stadiums.

Military and Security

• Abbas Aqazamani, former Revolutinary Guards chief, returns to Iran after many years of "prayer and religious studies in Pakistan."
• Revolutionary Guards Chief Ali Jafari warns against "a new wave of assassinations" and terrorism in Iran.
• Asr-e Iran reports on tensions in Sistan va Balouchestan province as the local authorities kill one local during an operation to stop smuggling of gasoline to Pakistan.
• Mohammad Hejazi, former Basij chief and current General Staff deputy, hints that the Revolutionary Guards commanders have foreign bank accounts: "Freezing the assets of the commanders in foreign banks or barring them from traveling to Europe shows the anger of the enemy because of its powerlessness in harming the regime of the Islamic Republic."
• Revolutionary Guards Chief Mohammad-Ali Jafari says the Basij has 15 million members.

Trade

• Asr-e Iran warns against stopping Iran's oil exports to India, reasoning other exporters would get Iran’s share in the Indian market. 
• According to Mehr News, 845 days after the inauguration of the 9th and 10th phases of the South Pars gas and oil field, 75 percent of the fields shared with Qatar is not operational, which causes Iran an estimated loss of $6 billion. 
• Mashregh News reports on embezzlement in Iran/Venezuela Bank in Caracas.

Photos of the Day

• Two Venezuelans convert to Islam at the Iranian embassy in Caracas.