Iran News Round Up

A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by the AEI Critical Threats Project's Iran research team. 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

Military and Security

• Armed Forces General Staff Headquarters Deputy Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid gave a speech to veterans of the Iran-Iraq war fath ol-Mobin Operation in Dezful, Khuzestan. He discussed nuclear negotiations, IRGC Quds Force involvement in Syria, and the relations with the U.S. in his remarks. He said that this year is “a determining point” for Iran “because the nuclear negotiations results with the permission of the Supreme Leader will be clear at the end of this year.” Rashid also emphasized of the need to implement the Supreme Leader’s “resistance economy” policies and accused Saudi Arabia of contributing to the increasing terrorist threat in Lebanon, Iraq, and southeast Iran:
  • Nuclear negotiations: “The first scenario is the [Rouhani] administration’s scenario, reaching results in negotiations and resolving the Iranian nuclear matter. Officials are optimistic but consider it hard.”
  • “If the enemy increases its demands, these negotiations will fail, in which case they will shift the blame to Iran with their media power.”
  • “Negotiations could transform to an eroded [final deal, where] a small part of sanctions would be lifted and the vast part would remain.”
  • IRGC Quds Forces involvement in Syria: “We do not have any combatants in Syria but some of our commanders advise them. The formation of the National Defense Forces, an organization similar to the Basij, was one of the recommendations. This force was established with their agreement.”
  • “The Syrian army is engaged with 40,000 terrorists from 12 countries. Per the advice of the Quds Force, a force similar to the Basij has been established as the National Defense Forces.”
  • “If in Bahrain we invested one percent of the manpower, money and equipment that various countries are sending to Syria, today Bahrain would be introduced as an independent country in the world.”
  • “The formation of the Salafist-Zionist axis is due to Iran’s increasing influence in the region.”
  • US Competition: “Some imagine that there is the possibility of interaction with America and do not consider this an all-out engagement, which they are seriously mistaken.”
  • “America has issue with Iran’s Islamic system. Therefore, if the nuclear matter is resolved they will pursue the excuse of human rights and terrorism support this time.”
  • “If nuclear negotiations continue per the Supreme Leader’s opinion, and we do not cross the red lines, and [upcoming 2016 parliamentary] elections take place with participation above 65%, the enemy will become hopeless.
  • Resistance economy: “If we move according to the Supreme Leader’s guidance and resistance economy is fulfilled, the enemy will be unable to inflict harm on the system’s root…Coherent management is required in fulfilling resistance economy.” 
• IRGC Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Hossein Salami said that the Supreme Leader’s March 26 speech carried the message that  “…like before and in obedience to martyrs and warriors of the Eight Years of Sacred Defense [Iran-Iraq war], the Resistance will continue standing up against the greed of the Arrogance [West].” 
• Head of the IRGC Basij Organization Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naghdi inspected Martyr Farjavani Base, a “resistance economy project of Khuzestan province…[that] can create approximately twenty to thirty jobs in any region.” The base can produce poultry, chicken and vermicompost fertilizers. 

Diplomacy

• President Hassan Rouhani met with his Afghan and Tajik counterparts, Hamid Karzai and Emamolali Rahmon, in Kabul earlier today for the annual Nowruz celebrations held in the Presidential Palace. President Rouhani urged regional unity and emphasized “moderation, peace, friendship and combating extremism” and said “There is no path other than moderation. Moderation is not only a historical tradition, it is a political and social strategy to facilitate expansion and coexistence in the world today.” 
• Prior to his departure to Kabul, President Rouhani said, “Many governments in the current circumstances need to clean house and create new situations for their nations.” He then emphasized regional cooperation “to resolve issues…especially [regarding] Afghanistan, which during elections is facing political transformation and the exiting of foreign troops.” 
• President Hassan Rouhani held a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, urging Pakistan to take serious and prompt action in the release of the remaining four kidnapped Iranian border guards:
  •  “We want two countries and two governments to have widespread cooperation on combating regional terrorism. In this regard, [Iran] is prepared to cooperate at any level with the Pakistani government to secure the borders of the two countries.”
  • “I believe the two countries’ joint efforts against terrorism can positively affect public opinion in both nations.” 

Regional Developments

• In separate statements, Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah (LH) condemned the destruction of the mosque of Ammar bin Yassir and Owais al-Qarni, a destination for Shi’a pilgrims in eastern Syria, by the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS).   
• LH buried member Hossein Mohammad al Sayed Hossein earlier today, killed “while undertaking Jihadi duties and defending the Seyyeda Zeinab shrine and Islamic sanctities” in Syria. Attendees included Head of LH Parliamentary Faction Mohammad Ra’ad, Lebanon University Dean Adnan al Sayed Hossein, and Head of Arab Relations for LH Sheikh Hassan Az al Din. 

Economy

• Iran Oil Terminals Company Managing Director Pirouz Mousavi announced the operationalization of the first ocean terminal for natural gas exports in the Persian Gulf and said “This floating terminal can export 600,000 barrels of condensate gas per day.” 
• The Central Bank of Iran must investigate and close all “illegal” accounts of state-owned enterprises, according to the 2014-2015 budget law. 
• Head of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mining and Agriculture Gholam Hossein Shafei stated, “In the current situation, overcoming stagnation is more important than reducing inflation…Currently we are facing significant negative economic growth.” 

Politics

• National Security and Foreign Policy Parliamentary Commission member and former senior IRGC commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Esmail Kowsari said that the Supreme Leader’s message yesterday was “the necessity of fulfilling resistance economy,” which can be accomplished with the “spirit” of Iran-Iraq War. 
• Law Enforcement Forces blocked the area surrounding Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran after  a group of protesters demanded accountability for the death of Iranian border guard Jamshid Danaeifar, who was executed by Jaish al-Adl earlier this week. 
• First Deputy to the President Eshhagh Jahangiri issued nine articles on “systematic and stable confrontation with economic corruption in the Executive branch” to the 12 ministries and executive organs. 
• Combatant Clergy Society Central Council member Hojjat al-Eslam Hossein Ebrahimi said “Economic foundations must be strengthened to an extent that even if the whole world decides to sanction us, it will have no effect on our livelihood and inside the country…This does not mean that we should cut our relations with the outside or not trade. We must do all of this, but our outlook must be strong and powerful and confident in international capitals. National determination will activate this and if we want to reach these results jihadi management is required.” 

Photo of the Day

• President Hassan Rouhani returns from one-day trip to Afghanistan.