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: Parliament introduced legislation requiring immediate sanctions removal in a possible reaction to earlier comments from President Hassan Rouhani.

Iranian lawmakers agreed to vote on legislation that demands any treaty must remove all sanctions the day a final agreement is reached, forbid access to military facilities, and must not include any limits on nuclear research.  Parliament will vote on the proposed legislation on Sunday. The introduction of the bill may be a reaction to President Hassan Rouhani’s June 13 statement at a press conference, in which he indicated that it could take several months after signing a nuclear deal until all the UN sanctions are removed. If passed, it is unlikely that the legislation will change Iranian policies in the negotiations. 

President Hassan Rouhani reiterated Iran’s commitment to stability in Iraq during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi on June 17.

J. Matthew McInnis discusses Iran's efforts to establish a new framework for its national security strategy, and the regime's efforts to finesse the issue of IAEA inspections of Iran's military sites in his most recent blog post, "Did Iran's leaders just admit they are intellectually bankrupt?"

Official Statements

• Iranian lawmakers propose legislation on nuclear agreement. On Wednesday, the Parliament approved the introduction of legislation “in order to protect the nuclear rights and achievements of Iran.” National Security and Foreign Policy Parliamentary Commission Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi said that “it is necessary for the government to commit to protect the nuclear rights and achievements of Iran in the current environment with the excessive demands of the Americans…and to specify and protect the criteria drawn up by the security council and the redlines laid down by the Supreme Leader.” The new legislation includes three conditions that must be met by any agreement reached on Iran’s nuclear program. Parliament will vote on the bill on Sunday.
  • “As part of the deal all the sanctions must be completely and absolutely lifted on the day of the agreement [dar ruz-e tavafogh].”
  • “The United Nations is authorized to conduct conventional supervision [nezarathayeh mota’ref] of nuclear sites; access to all military, security, and sensitive non-nuclear facilities, documents, and scientists is forbidden.
  •  “No limits on acquiring peaceful nuclear knowledge and technology for development and research is acceptable and the resolutions of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) must be respected.” (YJC) (Fars News Agency) (IRIB) http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5234715/%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%86-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%B8-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3 http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13940327000165 http://www.iribnews.ir/NewsText.aspx?ID=562475
     
• Bagher Nobakht responds to anti-government protests during memorial ceremony. In response to a question regarding anti-government chanting during a June 17 memorial ceremony for Iran-Iraq veterans in Tehran, Planning and Strategic Supervision Deputy to the President Mohammad Bagher Nobakht stated that the protesting was “contrary to the national interest and inconsistent with the recommendations of the Supreme Leader.” (Tasnim News Agency) http://www.tasnimnews.com/Home/Single/772644
   
• Rezaei: Iran has the most powerful military in the region. IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei discussed the role of sanctions in Iran’s economy and America’s intent to impose economic pressure on Iran to achieve its political goals. The Expediency Discernment Council Secretary touted Iranian resilience over the past 30 years and advised Iranian officials to consider it when making policies. Rezaei acknowledged the negative impact of sanctions, stating, “We are in an economic war” that provides a historic opportunity for Iran to overcome. Rezaei also highlighted the Iran’s military capabilities, claiming the regime holds the “dominant military power in the region” and is among the top-ten militaries in the world. (Tasnim News Agency) http://www.tasnimnews.com/Home/Single/772473
   
• Saeed Jalili: “Suspicion towards America is not an illusion.” Saeed Jalili claimed that “America’s imperialistic logic” in the past three decades has led to Iran’s mistrust of the United States. The Supreme Leader’s Representative to the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) also decried the “hypocrisy” of the United States for making allegations regarding Iran’s nuclear program.  Speaking about the nuclear negotiations, Jalili noted that “the Americans want to close Fordow only because Fordow is underground and it would not be destroyed if bombed.” (Tabnak) http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/509615/%D8%AC%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A8%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA
   
• Shamkhani: Security can be quickly restored to Iraq. Ali Shamkhani told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi, "Due to [the] high capability and extreme potential of Iraq, security can be fully restored to the country within a short span of time following elimination of the terrorist groups." The Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) refuted the West's claims that it would take between five to seven years to defeat ISIS, indicatingthat Western officials are trying to prolong the crisis. Shamkhani also stated that the lasting security of Iraq will require expanded relations with Iran in the "political, economic, cultural and security domains..." (IRNA) (E) http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81650828/

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Rouhani meets with Iraqi PM. President Hassan Rouhani met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi on June 17 in Tehran. Rouhani called for enhanced Tehran-Baghdad relations in various economic, political and security fields, urging both sides to “accelerate the operation and implementation of agreements between the two countries.” Rouhani expressed Iran’s commitment to Iraq’s security and stated: “There is no doubt that the stability and security of Iraq is the stability and security of Iran.” (President.ir) http://president.ir/fa/87704
   
• Larijani: Expansion of parliamentary ties with Ireland. Ali Larijani met with the Chairman of the Irish Senate Paddy Burke in Dublin, Ireland, where they discussed expanding parliamentary ties in all existing capacities. In addition, the Parliament Speaker met with university professors and students to discussadvances in the fields of technology and medicine for both countries. (Mehr News) http://en.mehrnews.com/news/107988/Larijani-meets-Irish-officials
   
• Abdollahian discusses four-point plan at OIC meeting in Saudi Arabia. Deputy Foreign Minister of Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian attended an emergency ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah on June 16. Former President of Yemen Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Turkey, and Afghanistan also participated. Abdollahian “emphasized the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen, and strongly criticized the continued destruction of Yemen’s infrastructure.” He “stressed the need to end the siege of the Yemeni people, especially on the eve of Ramadan.” Abdollahian also presented Iran’s four-point plan to end the crisis in Yemen; Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif previously introduced the plan in mid-April. Abdollahian also “highlighted Iran’s support for Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue in Geneva.” (Alef) (ABNA) http://alef.ir/vdcfcvd0cw6deea.igiw.html?276788 http://fa.abna24.com/service/iran/archive/2015/06/17/689357/story.html

Domestic Politics

• Conservative political group applauds televised debate. A political group called The People’s Defense Front for National Honor applauded the decision to televise the debate between reformist figure Hagshenas and conservative politician Taraghi. In a letter addressed to the manager of IRIB news, the authors argue that a nuclear agreement “at any price” is ill-advised and call for more transparency in government proceedings on the issue.  The People’s Defense Front for National Honor commended the June 17 debate for fostering public dialogue on the nuclear issue and recommended televising similar debates in the future. The People’s Defense Front for National Honor is a newly-formed conservative organization that opposes the current nuclear negotiations. (Raja News) http://www.rajanews.com/news/214896

Nuclear Talks

• Deputy-level talks resumed in Vienna. Deputy Foreign Ministers Abbas Araghchi and Majid Tahkt Ravanchi met with their counterpart Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs Helga Schmid on Wednesday in Vienna, Austria. Ravanchi affirmed that the negotiations are continuing in earnest in order to conclude by the deadline, Negotiator Hamid Baeidinejad is also participating in the expert level talks. (YJC) http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5234674/%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B2%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%DA%86%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%AA%E2%80%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%86%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF
   
• Araghchi: Adherence to self-imposed June 30 deadline is not an obstacle. Abbas Araghchi stated that missing the June 30^th deadline will not impede Tehran from reaching a “good and favorable” agreement with P5+1 members. The Legal and International Affairs Deputy to the Foreign Minister described the negotiations as “relatively good but slow,” and added that sanctions on oil, gas, petrochemicals, banking, insurance, shipping, and gold would be lifted on the possible agreement’s implementation date. (Press TV) (E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/06/16/416199/Iran-P51-Abbas-Araqchi-nuclear-agreement-deadline-sanctions
   
• Kowsari: Lausanne framework needs “serious” changes. Parliamentarian Mohammad Esmail Kowsari stated that some sections within the framework on topics such as the removal of sanctions, inspections of military sites, and protection of nuclear rights need revision before a comprehensive accord can be reached by the June 30^th deadline. (Tasnim News Agency) (E) http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/771698
   
• Baeidinejad: Reuters report on US congressional review of nuclear deal is false. The Foreign Ministry’s Director for Political and International Affairs Hamid Baeidinejad censured the Reuters piece which stated that the U.N. Security Council will delay lifting sanctions in order to give the U.S. Congress time to review the nuclear agreement.
  • Speaking to Iranian officials visiting the Fordow nuclear facility on June 15, Asqar Zarean referred to recent western media coverage of the nuclear talks as “psychological warfare.” The Deputy Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) stressed the negotiating team’s efforts to uphold Tehran’s nuclear rights. (Fars News Agency) (E) http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940326001569