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, 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 Hassan Rouhani highlighted his administration’s efforts to harness the adverse effects of sanctions and eradicate poverty. P5+1 nuclear negotiations continued past the extended July 7 deadline, while Iran and the IAEA reached an agreement concerning unresolved technical issues.

President Rouhani reiterated his commitment to improve Iran’s deteriorating living and economic conditions. He also stressed the need to relieve the economy from sanctions and inflationary pressures to increase Iran’s economic power. Rouhani’s statement underscores his concerted effort to prioritize practical economic policies to foster sustainable growth and development. Rouhani argues that his policy prioritization will lead to economic prosperity, in turn reinforcing regime security.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini announced that nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 will continue for the next few days. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), meanwhile, announced that it had reached an agreement with the IAEA to facilitate joint cooperation and technical interaction between Tehran and the IAEA. The agreement aims to expedite the process of resolving outstanding issues concerning Iran’s nuclear program.

AEI Resident Fellow J. Matthew McInnis discusses the nuclear negotiations and the regime’s evolving rhetoric towards ISIS and Saudi Arabia in his most recent blog post, “Near to a nuclear deal, Iran grapples with bigger headaches.”
 

Official Statements

• Rouhani reiterates commitment to reducing inflation and improving the economy. President Hassan Rouhani highlighted his administration’s efforts to eliminate poverty at an iftar [fast-breaking] banquet on July 6. Rouhani stressed that “...the conspiracy of oppressive sanctions must be removed in order to make space for a better life and an increase in economic power.” However, Rouhani assured the domestic audience that sanctions have failed to prevent Iran's progress. (President.ir) http://president.ir/fa/87927
   
• Tehran condemns recent Saudi airstrikes against Yemeni civilians. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham responded to the July 5 and 6 Saudi airstrikes on residential areas in southern Yemen, stating: "Saudi Arabia's attacks on [Yemen's] infrastructure and civilian targets… are blatant violations of human rights.” (MFA) http://www.mfa.gov.ir/index.aspx?fkeyid=&siteid=1&pageid=128&newsview=348192
   
• Abdollahian: “Our nation has bitter memories of America.” Hossein Amir Abdollahian told CNN that “if a deal is reached, Tehran and Washington will be able to cooperate on other issues.” The Arab and African Affairs Deputy to the Foreign Minister acknowledged the history of distrust between the two countries, but added:  “If the United States acts constructively and positively, this will have a positive effect on future cooperation.” (Fars News Agency) http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13940415001435
   
• Ministry of Defense releases statement for Qods Day. The Ministry of Defense reaffirmed the Iranian regime’s commitment to Palestine, stating that Iran “will never forget the Palestinian issue as the first concern of the Islamic world; Iran, with a sense of responsibility for the countries of Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, will continue to be on the front lines supporting the Islamic resistance in the goal of a free Jerusalem.” (Sepah News) http://sepahnews.com/shownews.Aspx?ID=0b0b5b68-0d6e-4d4c-a333-5da792d35d1f
   
• Larijani: Israel exacerbating regional crises. Ali Larijani said that he “believes Israel came into existence as the result of an ‘international evil.’” The Parliament Speaker said that Israel has declined and fractured over the past three decades. He added:
  • On the nuclear deal: Larijani stated that Israel has had a prominent role during the current negotiations as compared to previous talks, with the “Zionist goal” of diverting the nuclear issue altogether.
  • On regional stability: Larijani stated that the “deep-rooted causes of evil” in the region stem from the “Zionist regime.” (YJC) http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5255770/%D8%B6%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%84-%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B1%DA%98%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%B5%D9%87%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA

Nuclear Talks

• Nuclear negotiations extended “for the next couple of days.” EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini stated that the P5+1 and Iran “are continuing to negotiate for the next couple of days.” (Press TV) (E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/07/07/419167/Iran-P51-nuclear-Vienna-Mogherini
   
• P5+1 members hold closed-door meeting without Iranian counterparts. Foreign ministers from the P5+1 held a closed-door session on July 6 in Vienna to discuss the terms of a final nuclear deal. White House spokesman Josh Earnest stated that “the extended July 7 deadline for a final deal…could further slip.” (Press TV) (E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/07/07/419103/Iran-P51-Vienna-Mohammad-Javad-Zarif-John-Kerry-Federica-Mogherini
   
• Kamalvandi: IAEA and Iran reach an agreement to “facilitate technical interaction.” Behrouz Kamalvandi stated that a five-member IAEA delegation arrived in Tehran on July 6 to hold talks with their Iranian counterparts. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Spokesman added that the two groups reached an agreement that will “facilitate technical interaction between Iran and the [IAEA] agency,” and is “completely within the framework of [Iranian] national interests…and in accordance with the Islamic establishment’s redlines.” (Press TV) (E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/07/07/419094/Iran-IAEA-AEOI-Behrouz-Kamalvandi-Yukiya-Amano
   
• Boroujerdi: Excessive demands from the U.S. may risk reaching a final nuclear deal. National Security and Foreign Policy (NSFP) Parliamentary Commission Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi stated that the possibility of reaching a final nuclear deal has significantly increased, but “the U.S. approach of making excessive demands will always pose a risk to the process of negotiations.” (Mehr News) (E) http://en.mehrnews.com/news/108462/US-excessive-demands-may-risk-reaching-N-deal
   
• Zarif met with Chinese counterpart in Vienna. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi briefly on the sidelines of the nuclear talks in Vienna. (Mashregh News)  http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/438570/%D8%B8%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%81-%D9%88-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%AF-%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%88-%DA%AF%D9%81%D8%AA%E2%80%8C%D9%88%DA%AF%D9%88-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF

Military and Security

• New photos of Soleimani released. Defa Press has released two pictures showing IRGC Qods Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. One of the pictures shows Soleimani with seven unidentified fighters. The second one shows Soleimani standing next to a man identified as a doctor with the Popular Mobilization Forces. (Defa Press) http://www.defapress.ir/Fa/News/49341

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Safavi: Saudi Arabia is one of the main causes of insecurity in the region. IRGC Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi stated that Saudi Arabia’s military actions in Yemen are “creating [a] division among Muslims and secure the position of Israel in the region.” The Senior Military Advisor to the Supreme Leader added that Iran “has always sought to preserve stability and collective unity among regional countries” and is “keeping a vigilant eye” on potential threats in the region. (Mehr News) (E) http://en.mehrnews.com/news/108464/ISIL-created-to-ensure-Israel-s-security
   
• Unnamed source in Foreign Ministry rejects claims about Iran’s role in foiled terror plot. An “informed” source in the Iranian Foreign Ministry rejected Jordanian newspaper Al Rai’s July 6 report claiming that a terror suspect with ties to Iran was arrested by Jordanian security forces. The unnamed source stated: "These allegations by the Jordanian newspaper are baseless." (Fars News Agency) (E) http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940416001505