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

Diplomacy

• Mohammad-Esmaeil Kowsari, Parliament’s National Security Council member, condemns execution of Iranian citizens in Saudi Arabia as a "crime."
• Aftab News releases a backgrounder on the recent deterioration of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan.
• [E] Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili described democracy and free elections as the only solution to the Syrian problem, and said Damascus should be provided with opportunity and time to implement real reforms. 
• [E] Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi took the trans-regional forces deployed in Afghanistan responsible for the expansion of insecurities in the war-torn country. 

Military and Security

• The Intelligence Ministry says it has arrested "main elements behind the assassination of Shahriari, Ahmadi-Rowshan and Qashqaei."
• According to Rasoul Rahimi, Revolutionary Guards General Staff Logistics commander, the 313th Ansar-e Velayat brigade had a desert expedition.

Nuclear Issue

• Nuclear negotiations:
  • Hossein Sheikh al-Eslam, foreign policy adviser to the parliamentary speaker and a former deputy foreign minister, says the Islamic Republic had the upper hand in the Baghdad nuclear negotiations with the 5+1 Group. According to Sheikh al-Eslam, Said Jalili, Supreme National Security Council secretary, told the 5+1 Group:
    • "I can explode a nuclear bomb right here and right now. I can do so by leaving negotiations. In reality, the Iranian party leaving the negotiations would have the same impact on the West as exploding a nuclear bomb."
    • Sheikh al-Eslam continues: "This tactic of the Iranian party forced the West to retreat. Luckily, the negotiator who is negotiating on behalf of the Iranian nation is very vigilant and one must praise him. Said Jalili showed the wish of the Iranian people to the West and said: 'We will not retreat.'"
  • Sobh-e Sadeq warns President Obama against "missing the opportunity in the Moscow negotiations" to reach an agreement with the Islamic Republic. It concludes that the Islamic Republic may opt to wait "for the person who will replace Obama [in the White House]."
  • Ayatollah javadi Amoli says "the West is trying to kill time in Moscow." 
• [E] Iran’s foreign minister expressed hope for constructive talks in Moscow.

Economy

• Farda News' journalist reports on food price rises in Ahmadinejad’s residential neighborhood of Narmak in Tehran.

Iran in the Afghan Media

• Iran’s foreign ministry at the “Heart of Asia” conference in Kabul:
  • "Unfortunately, the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan over the past decade has resulted in worsening security, (economic) growth, an increase in terrorist activities, drug trafficking, organized crime and killing of civilians.''
  • "As it is clear, one specific country aims to continue its military presence in Afghanistan, it goals are beyond the area, which has raised concerns among regional countries.''

Photo of the Day

• “Revolutionary” satellite in Iran: "Death to America!"