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 Marie Donovan, Paul Bucala, and Caitlin Shayda Pendleton. 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: Former Quds Force Commander IRGC Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi blamed Israel for the death of senior Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine.

Strategic Defense Studies Center president and former Quds Force commander IRGC Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi claimed that Israel was responsible for the death of senior Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine, who was recently killed in Damascus, and promised that the “Zionists will receive a response in due time.” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif praised Badreddine and claimed that his death would boost the resolve of the “Resistance Forces” against Israel and terrorism. Badreddine was Hezbollah’s top military commander and is believed to have been in charge of Hezbollah’s operations in Syria.

National Security and Foreign Policy (NSFP) Parliamentary Commission member Mansour Haghighat Pour stated that the “commission’s opinion is that Iranian pilgrims should not be sent” on the Hajj, given Saudi Arabia’s regional behavior and refusal to comply with Iranian demands concerning the safety of pilgrims. NSFP Parliamentary Commission Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi added that Saudi Arabia cannot ensure the safety of Iranian pilgrims and “does not have the qualifications of responsibility for the Hajj.” Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati “tentatively confirmed” the cancellation of the Hajj for Iranian pilgrims on May 12, although his decision is not final.

AEI Must-Reads

• Paul Bucala analyzes the recent setback IRGC forces encountered in Syria in “What the Khan Tuman defeat means for Iran.”
   

• Matthew McInnis discusses the economic challenges facing President Hassan Rouhani as Iran’s newly elected parliament assumes office in his latest blog, “Will Iran’s new parliament be any better for Rouhani?”

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Hezbollah commander killed in Syria. Senior Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine was recently killed in a “huge blast” in Damascus. There was no claim of responsibility for the attack. Badreddine was Hezbollah’s top military commander and is believed to have been in charge of Hezbollah’s operations in Syria. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed his condolences in a statement published on May 13. Zarif praised Badreddine and claimed that his death would boost the resolve of the “Resistance Forces” against Israel and terrorism. (Press TV)
   
• IRGC general: Khan Tuman will be recaptured in the near future. IRGC Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi discussed the loss of Khan Tuman, Syria, with reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony commemorating IRGC Navy Special Forces Commander Mohammad Nazeri, who passed away this week. The Strategic Defense Studies Center president and former Quds Force commander claimed that the rebels had “many new weapons” during the offensive, which Vahidi claimed helped contribute to the defeat. Vahidi noted, “Unfortunately these terrorists are supported both at the regional and international level. The resistance, however, is strong, and God willing Khan Tuman will be recaptured in the near future.” Vahidi also blamed the death of Mustafa Badreddine on Israel, claiming that the “Zionists will receive a response in due time.”  (Tasnim News Agency) (Mehr News Agency)
   
• Parliamentarians support Hajj cancellation for Iranian pilgrims. National Security and Foreign Policy (NSFP) Parliamentary Commission member Mansour Haghighat Pour said that given Saudi Arabia’s regional behavior and refusal to comply with Iranian demands concerning the safety of pilgrims during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, “the NSFP Commission’s opinion is that Iranian pilgrims should not be sent” on the Hajj. NSFP Parliamentary Commission Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi added that Iran has set these demands for Saudi Arabia “because experience has shown that Saudi Arabia cannot maintain the pilgrims’ security… and does not have the qualifications of responsibility for the Hajj.” (Mizan Online) (ISNA)
   
• Interim Tehran Friday prayer leader criticizes U.S. Supreme Court ruling and nuclear agreement. Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Movahedi Kermani criticized U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing the seizure of Iranian frozen assets and called upon other countries to pull out their assets from U.S. banks “because otherwise the U.S. will issue the verdict to steal them.” The Interim Tehran Friday prayer also criticized America’s implementation of the nuclear agreement, asserting that “they made promises while stomping on them and reneging on them.” He added that the U.S. “is not bound by international law.” (Fars News Agency) (Fars News Agency) (E)
   
• Rezaei denies being in charge of Aleppo operations. Former IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei addressed rumors circulating online that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed him to lead the effort to “free Aleppo.” He stated that the rumor “is not true… I wear combat dress in order to provide whatever help is necessary.” Rezaei appeared to return to the IRGC in May 2015 after an 18-year absence to pursue politics, and has since appeared repeatedly in IRGC uniform with the rank insignia of a major general. (YJC) 
  • Rezaei also addressed U.S.-Iran relations in a speech before Friday prayers in Qom. He asserted that Iran’s economic problems “have not been solved” despite adhering to its commitments under the nuclear deal and criticized the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling permitting the seizure of up to $2 billion in Iranian frozen assets. He stated that Iran “will not allow even one dollar to go down America’s throat.” (Fars News Agency)
     

Domestic Politics

• Haddad Adel: Government officials interfered in the recent elections. Principlist parliamentarian Gholam Ali Haddad Adel stated, “Recently, I spoke about the involvement of some government people in the elections, and a wave of propaganda was released against me… I had not said that the election was rigged, but that some government officials interfered in the electoral process and put resources at the disposal of a particular candidate.” He added, “I have evidence and examples that will be presented to the interior minister.” Haddad Adel lost his Parliament seat in the February 26 elections. (IRIB)
   
• Alam ol Hoda responds to “nationalist” critics of Iran’s involvement in Syria. Mashhad Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Ahmad Alam ol Hoda stated, “Today, a handful of counter-revolutionary nationalists say, ‘Why should we go far away to fight? We consume the country’s resources, and it has nothing to do with us.’ ...Today, the enemy’s main objective is to overthrow the Islamic Revolution. Those people who carry out all kinds of anti-human activities in Iraq and Syria, suppress the Shia and lovers of Ahlul Bayt in Bahrain, and destroy the houses and huts over people’s heads in Yemen are trying to overthrow us.” He stressed that “our authority has made the Global Arrogance [America] and its allies bark around us like dogs, and not have the courage to approach us. For this, we thank the dear ones in the Artesh and the IRGC.” (Mashregh News)