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 announced that if the opposite side in the negotiations does not make excessive demands, a nuclear deal “will be within reach.”

During a meeting with the Supreme Leader and other senior officials, President Rouhani declared that a policy of “constructive engagement” guides Iran’s foreign policy. He also stated that if the P5+1 does not make excessive demands in the negotiations, a nuclear deal will be “within reach.” Rouhani also indicated that after observing “distance” between “the three branches” of government, the government decided “to adopt a new approach” to close that distance. It appears Rouhani did not further elaborate on the “new approach.”
 

A mine blast purportedly killed three Iranians named Ali Amrayi, Hassan Ghaffari, and Mohammad Hamidi “along the Damascus-Dera’a highway” in Syria.
 

The Guardian Council approved the bill passed by Parliament that requires any nuclear agreement to immediately lift all sanctions, ban access to military sites, and not place limits on nuclear research. It is unlikely that the legislation will change Iranian policies in the negotiations because the bill restates the positions the Supreme Leader has already articulated.
 

Lawmakers voted against impeaching Minister of Education Fani Ali Asghar.
 

AEI Resident Fellow J. Matthew McInnis discusses Iran’s agenda during Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi’s visit to Tehran last week, and the Supreme Leader’s June 23 speech on nuclear redlines in his most recent blog post, "Iran to Iraq: Forget the United States, stick with us.”

Official Statements

• Rouhani: “Our approach to foreign policy is constructive engagement.” During a meeting with the Supreme Leader and senior government officials on June 23, President Hassan Rouhani discussed his approaches to foreign policy, economic improvement, domestic politics, and cultural issues, as well as the nuclear negotiations. He stated:

• On domestic politics:  When the Rouhani administration began, “on domestic issues, space...was observed between the [political] parties and groups, and even space between the three branches [of government]; all of these made it necessary for the government to adopt a new approach in order to achieve the people’s desired and acceptable point.” [Rouhani did not appear to elaborate on the “new approach” further.]
• On cultural issues: “In the field of cultural issues, our approach has been a more open space for all people of art and culture, with a red line of Islamic law, culture, and morality.”
• On foreign policy: “The government’s approach in the field of foreign policy is constructive engagement with the world, with the red line of the preservation of the national independence, dignity, and national pride.”
• On sanctions: Rouhani stressed that “the world feels” that due to the pressure of sanctions, “Iran….is not able to resolve its social, economic, political, and cultural issues.” Rouhani responded that despite sanctions, “…with the help and the presence of the people, we were able to control inflation and come out of the stagnation…under the same conditions of sanctions, investment growth…was…positive…”
• Rouhani stressed that other countries “will never succeed” in using sanctions against Iran to drive a “distance between the people and the nation” as they had hoped.
• On the possibility of a nuclear deal: “In the case that the other side does not want too much [in the nuclear negotiations], the deal will be within reach…”
• On the economy: “Pointing to the fact that Iran’s non-oil exports….reached a record last year,” Rouhani stated: “The general policies of the resistance economy, which can be the solution to our problems, must continue.” (President.ir) http://president.ir/fa/87762
                                                           

• Larijani: “The Supreme Leader clearly and accurately highlighted the way forward.” Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani praised Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s June 23 speech. The Judiciary Head stated that “the Supreme Leader’s words on the resistance economy, and even more importantly on the nuclear program, and his support of the negotiating team are a clear message to some individuals of the road ahead on the nuclear negotiations…” Larijani also praised the resolution passed by Parliament on a final nuclear deal and claimed that “the negotiating team must be aware of the goals and plans of the government regarding the nuclear talks.” (Mashregh News) (YJC) http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/433230/%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%88-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A6%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85-%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%88-%D8%B5%D8%AD%DB%8C%D8%AD http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5242757/%D8%B3%D8%AE%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B8%D9%85-%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85%E2%80%8C-%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%87%E2%80%8C%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AE-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D9%88-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B7%E2%80%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF
   

• Araghchi reacts to the Supreme Leader’s speech. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s speech in an Instagram post. (YJC) http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5242477/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%DA%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B8%D9%85-%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF
   
• Larijani: U.N. human rights reports on Iran are biased. Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani claimed in a televised interview that the recent reports are “politically motivated and originate from the Western values.” The Judiciary Head added that the reports “challenge the principles of the Islamic system in Iran.” (Tasnim News Agency) (E) http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/778931

Military and Security

• Three Iranians killed in Syria. A mine blast purportedly killed Ali Amrayi, Hassan Ghaffari, and Mohammad Hamidi along the “Damascus-Dera’a highway.” [Note: There is no direct evidence that these three were affiliated with the IRGC, but a photo posted online shows Ghaffari with IRGC Qods Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.] (Defa Press) http://www.defapress.ir/Fa/News/48764

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Boroujerdi meets with Syrian Interior Minister Mohammad Ibrahim al Shaar. On Wednesday, Mohammad Alaeddin Boroujerdi met with Syrian Interior Minister Mohammad Ibrahim al Shaar in Tehran to discuss “enhanced” cooperation between Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The National Security and Foreign Policy Parliamentary Commission Chairman reaffirmed Tehran’s continuous support for Syria “both in times of hardship and success.” Al Shaar referred to “a coalition of the U.S., the Zionist regime, and their regional allies like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey” as supporters of terrorism in the region. (Tasnim News Agency) (E) http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/780684
   
• Afkham: All efforts should turn to political settlement to solve Yemeni crisis. At a press conference on Wednesday, Marzieh Afkham stated the regime is calling for a second round of peace talks on Yemen. The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman condemned Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemenis and stated “all efforts should continue [to] push the Yemen problem into a political channel.” Peace talks will reportedly resume in Geneva under U.N. supervision. (Fars News Agency) (E) http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940403001211
  • In reference to relations with the Taliban, Afkham also stated “talks with terrorist groups run counter to our policy.” (Tasnim News Agency) (E) http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940403000840
     
• Malta has renewed shipping contract with Iran. Malta Freeport, a large international port on the island of Malta, “has renewed its contracts” with Hafiz Darya Shipping Company (HDS) in anticipation that sanctions against Iran will be lifted “later this year.” Malta Freeport was the Mediterranean hub for the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) until 2011 when the increase of sanctions dramatically cut down on trade. Both the E.U. and the U.S. Treasury Department have sanctioned HDS. (Press TV) (E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/06/23/417139/iran-shipping-malta-freeport-sanctions
   
• Top South Korean diplomat will visit Tehran. Cho Tae Yong purportedly will visit Tehran this week to discuss the prospect of closer ties.  He “will be the first South Korean vice foreign minister to visit Iran in a decade.” (Tasnim News Agency) (E) http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/779509

Nuclear Talks

• Afkham: Currently there are no extensions to the nuclear negotiations. Marzieh Afkham noted that the negotiating teams were discussing “various subjects,” including the timetable for sanctions removal.  The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman added that “if an agreement is reached, all the countries of the world must respect this agreement.” She also stated that “the Supreme Leader’s redlines were very helpful and illuminating and the negotiating team will act accordingly.” Regarding the Parliament’s resolution, Afkham claimed that “considering the role of the Parliament, it would have been good if the negotiating team had been considered…we do not believe that this resolution is constructive…but it is the vote of the parliament and if the legislation is approved by the Guardian Council it will be a law by which we will all have to abide.” (Mashregh News) http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/433146/%D9%81%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D9%85%D9%81%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%86%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9%DB%8C%D9%85
   

Domestic Politics

• Fani survives Parliament impeachment vote. On Wednesday, Parliament voted against impeaching Minister of Education Ali Asghar Fani who succeeded in receiving 167 votes of confidence. Lawmakers had tried to impeach Fani over his inability to win the trust and satisfaction of his ministry. (IRNA) (E) (Basij Press) http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81658231/ http://basijpress.ir/fa/news-details/49489/
   
• The Guardian Council approves resolution. The Guardian Council approved the legislation passed by Parliament aimed to protect Iran’s “nuclear rights and achievements.” The legislation demands any nuclear agreement 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. (YJC) http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5242795/%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%86%DA%AF%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%A3%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%AF-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B5%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%88%D9%82-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%AF