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

• Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel praises Mohammad Khatami's vote at the parliamentary election, saying it has improved the reformist position.

Diplomacy

• Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei comments on president Obama's statements on Iran:
  • "This statement is a good word and shows that he is leaving the delusion behind. But the president of the United States has also said: 'We want to force the Iranian people to their knees with sanctions,' which shows that he is still delusional in this regard... Continuity of this delusion would do harm to the United States authorities and their calculations will prove wrong. The front of ill wishers, particularly the United States, has for the past 33 years wished to separate the people from the regime by the means of sanctions,  particularly last year, however, everyone saw the vote and devotion of the people to the Islamic regime on March 2, 2012." 
• [E] Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi underlined the importance of cooperation among the three neighboring countries of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan for the promotion of peace and stability in the region. 

Military and Security

• Amir-Ahmad Pourdastan, Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces commander: "Military people always consider threats as a prelude to operation. Even when Obama says, 'We are not contemplating the military option against Iran,'we will have the necessary preparedness to deal with any attack." 

Economy

• According to Aftab News, the Energy Ministry's debt to domestic creditors has reached a record $5 billion despite significant increase in the ministry's income due to rising energy prices. 

Trade

• Iraq owes Iran $500 million for electricity supply. 

Photos of the Day

•  Fire in Donya-ye Nour shopping center.