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 indicated that “moderation” should play an important role in Iran’s leadership in the region.

Addressing a gathering of clerics for ‘iftar’ (fast breaking) on June 25, President Hassan Rouhani underlined that the path to Iran’s regional leadership role is through “moderation” in domestic and regional affairs. He highlighted the “many people,” especially “the oppressed Muslims,” who “are looking up to Islamic Iran.” 

On June 24, Planning and Strategic Supervision Deputy to the President Mohammad-Bagher Nobakht indicated that Iran would accept an extension to the nuclear negotiations if it led to a “good deal.” His comments echo earlier statements from Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that reaching a good deal takes precedence over meeting the June 30 deadline.

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 calls for moderation in Iran and the region. President Hassan Rouhani addressed a gathering of Iranian clerics for iftar (fast breaking), on June 25 in Tehran. President Rouhani stressed that “now more than ever, we need moderation in the country and the region for the important task of presenting Islam...because many people - the oppressed Muslims in particular - in…the region are looking up to the Islamic Iran.” Rouhani highlighted the important role of the clergy in keeping the Islamic Revolution and the youth on track in a globalized world. He then identified a number of new challenges facing the Islamic Revolution, specifically increasing “access to cyberspace and dense social networks and satellites...” Rouhani also praised the Supreme Leader for supporting the administration and the nuclear negotiations and stated:
  • "This team is making efforts in the face of large number of [P5 + 1] negotiators…with national dignity, full vigilance and with the aim of untying the knot [referring to sanctions] and advancing the country's affairs." 
  • “…despite the significant steps taken in the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1…there are still heavy responsibilities considering the regional developments…” (President.ir) http://president.ir/fa/87780
     
• Sedeghi: “The Supreme Leader did not grant the negotiating team immunity.” Interim Tehran Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Kazem Sadeghi stated that “we must be aware that the Supreme Leader ‘s support of the negotiating team has not granted them immunity and they can make mistakes and errors…the Parliament has the responsibility to increase its supervision for the protection of the negotiating team and insistence on the rights of the nation…” (Mashregh News) http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/433697/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86...

Nuclear Talks

• Zarif echoes Supreme Leader’s call for a “dignified” deal. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated the Supreme Leader’s recent remarks concerning the P5+1 nuclear talks, stating: “As the Supreme Leader stressed, Iranians want a dignified deal and reject excessive demands.”  Zarif added that he is heading to “Vienna to secure a fair and lasting” nuclear deal. (Press TV) (E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/06/26/417603/Iran-Zarif-P51-fair-deal
   
• Major gaps remain in Iran nuclear deal document. A source “close to the Iranian team of negotiators” has reported that the draft of the nuclear deal still contains a number of gaps “that relate to the important and fundamental sticking points.” (Tasnim News Agency) (E)http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/781700
   
• Iran expresses openness to extending nuclear talks beyond June 30. On June 24, Planning and Strategic Supervision Deputy to the President Mohammad-Bagher Nobakht said that Iran would accept an extension to the nuclear talks if it believes further negotiations can clarify “obscurities” and produce a “good deal.” His statement mirrors Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s June 22 assertion that reaching a good deal takes precedence over the June 30 deadline. (Fars News Agency) (E)http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/06/25/417495/Iran-nuclear-talks-P51-U...

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Russian and Iranian diplomats meet ahead of key summits. Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanaei met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov to discuss preparations for the BRICS [association of major economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summits to be held from July 8-10 in Russia. (Press TV) (E) http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/06/26/417584/iran-russia-sco-brics-sa...
   
• Russian defense manufacturer signs technology agreement with Iran. The Center for Innovation and Technology Cooperation signed an agreement with Russian defense manufacturer Almaz-Antey. The sides have agreed to promote Russian non-military products in the Iranian market. (IRNA) (E) http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81659899/

Domestic Politics

• Ezhehi on the arrest of Hamid Baghaei. On the sidelines of a ceremony honoring families of martyrs and war veterans, Mohsen Ezhehi addressed the press regarding the arrest of former Vice President Hamid Baghaei. The Deputy Head of the Judiciary stated he knew of the arrest, but that it is up to the court to decide on the sentence Regarding the sentencing of Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani, son of former President Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Ezhehi said that he did not know the exact day of the sentencing but currently the case is still in its preliminary stage. (Tabnak)http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/511960/%D8%A7%D8%B8%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7...%D9%85%D9%87%D8%AF%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%85%DB%8