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, and Paul Bucala, with contributors Ryan Melvin, Caitlin Pendleton, and Jordan Olmstead. To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.

(E) = Article in English

Key takeaway: The Supreme Leader’s Senior Foreign Policy Advisor Ali Akbar Velayati said that Iranian-Russian cooperation will “increase” but noted that the two countries disagree “about the presence of Lebanese Hezbollah in Syria.”

Following a meeting with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Tehran, Ali Akbar Velayati stated that Iran and Russia will increase cooperation in the region.  The Supreme Leader’s Senior Foreign Policy Advisor, however, claimed that Russia and Iran disagree on the “presence of Lebanese Hezbollah in Syria.” Velayati also noted that joint cooperation between Iran, Russia, Lebanese Hezbollah, the Syrian Army, and some of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units has occurred in Syria.

Senior officials stressed the need to combat Western influence and “global arrogance” on the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. President Hassan Rouhani, however, cautioned against “misusing” the term “influence” stating, “It must not be that we want everyone with whom we disagree to be accused in some way and for us to marginalize every group… We must genuinely and seriously fight any foreign influence, and not let others play with the word ‘influence.’”

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi urged officials to stop politicizing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and stated, “We…saw some of our brothers in the corner opposing the JCPOA and whining that it is not good.”

Matthew McInnis and Tara Beeny analyze Iran’s broader strategy towards Russia by examining recent developments in economic, security, and nuclear cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, in their most recent blog, “Iran’s strategy to ‘entangle’ Russia.”

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Velayati: Iran-Russia cooperation will increase despite “disagreement” over Hezbollah’s role in Syria. Ali Akbar Velayati discussed “Iran and Russia’s disagreement about the presence of Lebanese Hezbollah in Syria” with reporters following a meeting with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Tehran on November 4. The Supreme Leader’s Senior Foreign Policy Advisor stated:
  • “Iran and Russia’s relations are very clear and friendly, and cooperation between [these] two countries will increase… Iran supports the government and nation of Syria and the person of [Syrian President] Bashar al Assad, and just as the Supreme Leader ordered, the final decision about Syria’s fate is [with] the people of this country, without foreigners’ intervention.”
  • “Joint cooperation between Iran, Russia, the Syrian Army, Lebanese Hezbollah, and some of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units  [PMUs] has taken shape” in Syria.”
  • “Iran does not have any kind of cooperation, anywhere, in a direct or indirect way, with America regarding Syria.” (ILNA) (Mehr News )
     
• Jalili: Syria is the “heart of the resistance.” Saeed Jalili discussed the Syrian peace talks in an interview with Tasnim News Agency on November 4. The Supreme Leader’s Representative to the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) underlined the importance of Syria to the region’s resistance against the West. Jalili stated, “We should not allow America to create a conspiracy to destroy the heart of the resistance.” (Tasnim News Agency)
   
• Larijani meets with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister. Ali Larijani met with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad on November 4. The Parliament Speaker stated that Syria’s condition appears to be “better than before, and based on predictions, God willing, the situation will become even better.” (ICANA)
   
• Judiciary Head: The U.S. understands that we have a key role in Syria. Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani discussed Iranian support for Syria during a gathering of clerics in Mazandaran province on November 4. The Judiciary Head stated, “After years, the Americans have recently understood that Iran has a key role in the matter of Syria and must be taken seriously.” (Mashregh News)

Domestic Politics

• Rouhani warns against politicization of anniversary of 1979 hostage crisis. President Hassan Rouhani commemorated the 36^th anniversary of the Iranian hostage crisis and takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran during a cabinet meeting on November 4. He stated:
  • “We must not allow this historic day to be exploited by some factions, because any factional exploitation of this day will be a detriment to the [Islamic] Revolution and unity.”
  • “The whole Iranian nation stands united on the path of revolution, independence, and the country’s resistance to foreign influence; I hope that all factions and institutions take note of these points…”
  • “People must not misuse these words and vocabulary [The Supreme Leader’s guidelines for strengthening national power and fighting foreign influence].”
  • “Hereafter, it must not be that we want everyone with whom we disagree to be accused in some way and to marginalize every group [with which we disagree]…We must genuinely and seriously fight any foreign influence, and not let others play with the word ‘influence.’” (President.ir)
     
• Mohsen Rezaei issues statement for anniversary of hostage crisis. Mohsen Rezaei issued a statement commemorating the anniversary of the Iranian hostage crisis on his Instagram page. The Expediency Discernment Council Secretary urged Iranians to rely on revolutionary values and added that “identifying friends and enemies is also important” for “following the path ahead.” (Tabnak)
   
• Sharif praises the anniversary of the U.S. hostage crisis. IRGC Brig. Gen. 2C Ramezan Sharif stated that the historical events on November 4, 1979, “will continue to be remembered and celebrated” to a crowd in Semnan. The IRGC Public Affairs Head stated on that day students “blocked the influence of America” by capturing the “American spy nest” (the U.S. Embassy in Tehran). Sharif stated that “37 years ago Americans were dominant in all aspects for us,” but now the U.S. does not have “any authority” in Iran. He added, “Today should be a sign of strength and power of the Islamic Revolution in the face of global arrogance…” (YJC)
   
• Zakani: Those seeking to establish relations with the West are not friends of Iran. Principlist Parliamentarian Ali Reza Zakani discussed the state of Iran-U.S.  relations during a speech in Tabriz commemorating the anniversary of the Iranian hostage crisis. Zakani claimed that the U.S. has always “been full of trickery” against Iran, and urged for Iranians to “identify” and “prevent” paths of Western influence. (Tasnim News Agency)
   
• Saidi: The government must take the issue of Western influence seriously. Hojjat ol Eslam Ali Saidi stressed the importance of combating Western influence in Iran. The Supreme Leader’s Representative to the IRGC stated, “Parliament, the [Rouhani] administration, and the judicial branch have a duty by the order of the Supreme Leader. The conditions today are very sensitive and individuals in the government must hear this message from the nation and go fight Western influence and not accept compromise.” (Entekhab)

Military and Security

• LEF Commander: The U.S. and its allies are trying to create "insecurity in Iran.” Brig. Gen. Hossein Ashtari stated, “They [the enemies] are seeking to stir insecurity in Iran but thanks [to] God, they have failed to reach their ominous goals due to the Supreme Leader's guidelines, the people's presence, and preparedness of the military and law enforcement forces; yet if they find a window of opportunity, they will certainly embark on committing crimes [against the Iranian nation].” The Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) Commander also stated that the U.S. is trying to destabilize Iran through the use of proxy regional terrorist groups. (Fars News Agency) (E)
   
• Border Guards Commander: ISIS presents no threat to Iran. Border Guards Commander Brig. Gen. Qassem Rezaei stated that “ISIS is a concern, however, [it] is not a threat to us…” during a ceremony appointing Lotfali Pakbaz as the new Border Guards Commander of Kermanshah province. Rezaei insisted that “today, we are at the peak of defense and security, and the readiness of our armed forces is very good.”  (Police.ir)
   
• Air Force Commander meets with Chinese general. Artesh Brig. Gen. Hassan Shah Safi met with China’s Military Commission Vice Chairman General Xu Qiliang in Beijing. The Artesh Air Force Commander stated that the “training, exchanging of expertise, and holding of joint exercises” between both air forces is “essential.” He added that Iran-China relations can increase to the “highest level,” while also promoting the shared belief that “interference” in the affairs of other countries “is not the right thing for us.” (Mehr News)
   

Reactions to the Nuclear Deal

• Shirazi: Some Iranian officials continue to “whine” about the nuclear deal. Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi reinforced the Supreme Leader’s endorsement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and urged officials to stop politicizing the deal. Shirazi criticized those who oppose the agreement and stated, “We…saw some of our brothers in the corner opposing the JCPOA and whining that it is not good.” (Alef)
   
• Shamkhani: Most of our post-JCPOA political activity has promoted regional cooperation. Ali Shamkhani stated that “most of Iran’s political activity in the post-JCPOA period” has been promoting regional cooperation in order to prevent “trans-regional powers from creating disagreements.” The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary also called the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy as “the national day of fighting against the global arrogance.” Shamkhani claimed that recent developments in the Syrian crisis indicate that the U.S.-led coalition of 60 countries was formed in order to “direct, not counter, terrorism.” He added that “the change in the nature of military threats ” against Iran necessitates a “redefinition in methods of confrontation” and stated, “The change in the U.S and Britain’s strategy, and the decisions of these two countries to continue their presence in the region with the creation of new bases, signals an increase in the fields of insecurity and instability in the future.” (ISNA)

Casualties in Iraq and Syria

• IRGC member killed in Syria. Mohsen Fanousi, who was killed on November 3, was from Hamedan province. Fanousi was a member of the 43^rd Imam Ali Combat and Passive Defense Engineering Group of Malayer, Hamedan province. (Tasnim News Agency) (Dana)

Economy

• Nobakht: Iran signs deal $6 billion energy deal with European company. Mohammad Bagher Nobakht announced that the Ministry of Energy signed an agreement with a European firm to construct gas-powered energy plants in Iran. The Planning and Strategic Supervision Deputy to the President stated that the $6 billion will be invested before March 20, 2016. (Press TV) (E)