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

• Ahmadinejad removes Intelligence Minister Hojjat al-Eslam Heydar Moslehi from the Money and Credit Council.
• Rafsanjani addresses Motalefeh central committee members: "In today's world one can't speak of democracy while avoiding powerful and independent parties representing different inclinations...."
• Mohammad-Nabi Habibi, Motalefeh director general: "We believe that the group of reformists who accept the principles of the Islamic Republic: the guardianship of the jurist, the Supreme Leader and the constitution, should have the right to be present and active in [shaping] the destiny of the country, even in case they fiercely oppose the Motalefeh Party."
• Professor Sadeq Zibakalam, in a discussion at Qazvin University: "I wish Khatami had one percent or even one one-thousandth of Ahmadinejad's boldness. Rather than answer if Khatami had secret negotiations with Shimon Peres or not, I say I wish he had the courage to do so!"

Diplomacy

• Asr-e Iran attacks Iran's development aid program in the face of poverty at home.
• Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast refutes the GCC's final communiqué condemning Iran’s intervention in the internal affairs of Persian Gulf states.
• Ahmadinejad meets the president of Russia at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
• [E] Ahmadinejad attended a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday to explore ways to strengthen the two neighboring countries' ties and cooperation.

Military and Security

• Intelligence Minister Hojjat al-Eslam Heydar Moslehi warns Iranian visa applicants against "attempts by foreign intelligence agencies to recruit them."
• [E] Iranian Armed Forces plan to set up a center for cyber command as part of a broader strategy for enhancing the country's soft power against possible cyber threats.

Photos of the Day

• Ahmadinejad attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kazakhstan.