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

• Mohsen Rezaei, former IRGC commander and a 2009 presidential candidate, public protests would not have turned into “sedition” had the opposition leaders not called for a vote recount and the authorities not mismanaged the crisis. 

Diplomacy

• Ahmadinejad addresses winner athletes of the year: "I would like to attend the Olympics [in London] but they have problems with my presence."
• Mohammad-Karim Abedi, parliamentarian:
  • "Bahrain is a sovereign state since its nation has resisted for more than a year against the violations of the Khalifa clan and the Al Saud clan, with the United States and Britain at their helm... Through a referendum one can measure their opinion about the Khalifa clan, but most certainly they will have plans to return to their real fatherland and that place is nowhere but the Islamic Republic of Iran..."
  • Botia News quoting Raja News concludes: "Until now Iran has recognized the sovereignty of Bahrain and has established normal diplomatic relations with this country, but it seems that in case of Bahrain's incorporation into Saudi soil, the Islamic Republic of Iran will seriously consider Bahrain's return to the soil of Iran."
• According to Digarban, Ali-Akbar Velayati, Islamic Awakening Forum Secretary General, serves as the Supreme Leader's envoy to Arab countries.

Military and Security

• Masoud Jazayeri, Basij and Defense Culture Headquarters commander at the General Staff:
  • "Propagating and institutionalizing the thoughts of Imam Khamenei has immunized the Muslim nations. And by preparing the groundwork for strength and firmness, it will neutralize the plots of the enemies and the foreigners... Expansion and influence of these thoughts beyond the borders of Iran would enable the power of Islam... to live in justice, peace and non-submission to the corrupt rulers..." 
• Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Bahregan cruiser rescues Panamanian Cruiser Heilan from pirates in the Sea of Oman.
• Two engineers kidnapped in Syria return to Iran.

Nuclear Issue

• Said Jalili, Supreme National Security Council secretary, addressing a seminar at the Iran University of Science and Technology, discusses the sanctions regime:
  • "Those who feel they can pressure the Iranian nation through sanctions are playing our game. This move [sanctions] leads to new formations within the Islamic Republic and its efficacy in different fields, which will gain momentum. Our progress is the result of the very thought of sanctions."
  • Addressing Western leaders, Jalili said: "They should be careful in their statements and should not miscalculate."
  • Jalili concluded: "The time for pressuring the Iranian nation is going to end. Doubtlessly, the path of pressuring the Iranian nation will lead to our  even more resistance and progress."
    • Farda News releases a slightly different version of Jalili's statements:
      • "After the Istanbul negotiations, we heard statements from the Westerners. I warn them to pay more attention when making statements so that they do not miscalculate... Of course, they miscalculated during the thirty three years life of the Islamic revolution and discovered their mistake later... One must pay attention to the fact that there are some who are not happy with Iran's progress and are willing to abandon their strategic interest for the sake of regional interests... [During the Geneva negotiations] we discussed the 20% enriched fuel and we told them if you so desire, we are ready to purchase this fuel. I will never forget the smiles of some of those who participated in the negotiation. Of course, producing this level of [enriched] fuel was a difficult task... but it was done. And within less than two years we managed to achieve this fuel... The sanctions made us follow this path earnestly. And a clear example of that is the 20% enriched fuel. Had the Geneva II [negotiations] given us 20% fuel, we may not have managed to achieve our fuel..."
• Industry Minister Mehdi Ghazanfari: "Iran enters the 5+1 Group negotiations as the seventeenth largest economy of the world."
• Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, head of the Arab and African Affairs Directorate of the Foreign Ministry, visiting South Africa: "In case the realistic atmosphere continues... Iran will respond positively... Under such conditions, one can hope that the Baghdad negotiations would be a step forward..."
• The Islamic Republic continues negotiations with the IAEA on May 21, 2012 in Vienna. 

Trade

• According to Abbas-Ali Noura, Parliament’s Budget Committee member, the Oil Ministry's budget will increase significantly in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

Photos of the Day

• Kayhan editorial: "Bahrain, Part of Iran’s Body."