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 Analyst Mehrdad Moarefian and Iran Intern Amir Toumaj, with contributors Chris Rawlins, Marie Donovan, and Dianna Timmerman. To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.    

For in-depth analysis on the latest headlines please visit http://www.irantracker.org/analysis/iran-situation-report

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Representative of Iraqi Shi’a militia Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) in Iran Hojjat al-Eslam Jaber Rajabi announced that the Hazrat-e Masoumeh Shrine in Qom would host the first commemoration of AAH and Iraqi Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) martyrs killed in Syria. He stated:
  • “Allegiance [bay’at] of Islamic resistance groups in Iraq to the Supreme Leader Hazrat-e Ayatollah Khamenei and following the orders of the holy authority of Qom is one of the positive points for us, which the enemy wants to turn into a disadvantage for the resistance forces. However, if there were to be a correct expression, it must be said that this is a strong point for Iraq and Iran, and the Muslim people are beyond the geographic boundaries of a single nation.”
  • “…Following the system and the Supreme Leader and the Iranian authorities is a religious practice and belief, not a political act.” (Tasnim News Agency)
     
• Advisor to the Foreign Minister in Middle Eastern Affairs and former Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Qazanfar Rokn Abadi discussed the need for Iran to make itself heard on the international stage:
  • “We are proud of the system and honor created for every single Iranian, that the enemy concluded that the blockade and the sanctions have no effect.”
  • “That the P5+1 powers sit together and hear what their competitor says is a great victory that has been awarded to us; and the Islamic Republic has the power to face the world and speak with authority….today, we are the most stable country in the region, and this while the whole system of domination has been rallying against Iran.”
  • “The ludicrous anti-ISIL coalition bombed Syria with international license; if today we’re not strong on the international stage, the main powers of the world will not hear out words in the negotiations.” (IRNA)
     
• Arab and African Affairs Deputy to the Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian reiterated Iran’s support for the Syrian government and said:
  • “There are no disagreements to help Syria fight against terrorism at higher levels.”
  • “The language used by Syria’s foreign minister in describing the strategic relationship between Tehran and Damascus is accurate.”
  • “If it were not for the leadership of Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian people’s resistance against the conspirators and takfiri terrorists, the world would witness a terrorist-governed Damascus.”
  • “Tehran and Moscow, along with some other countries, will continue their support for Syria and reject any military intervention.”
  • “Collective regional support for the terrorism-hit states is in the interest of all countries and governments, and the Islamic Republic of Iran acts seriously, wisely and forcefully on this path.” (Fars News Agency) 
  • In a separate interview with Lebanese news outlet Al-Ahed, Abdollahian praised Palestinian resistance and said “The West Bank will soon be like Gaza, a center of resistance against the Zionist regime.” Abdollahian also attributed ISIL’s rise to Mossad: “The organization that had the most important role in shaping and supporting the role of ISIL was Mossad and there is a lot of evidence to support this.” (Tabnak)
     
• International Deputy to and Head of the Human Rights Headquarters of the Judiciary Branch Mohammad Javad Larijani announced that detained Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian will be "pardoned and/or released" within less than a month. (YJC) 

Official Statements

• President Hassan Rouhani visited and spoke with family members of “martyr” Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander Brig. Gen. Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, a commander of Iran’s missile program. Moghaddam was killed in an explosion in 2011:
  • “The actions of martyr Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam were very strategic, vital, and influential for the country’s destiny.”
  • “I heard the news of martyr Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam’s death in a meeting of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and I was very shocked. This martyr was very worthy, moral, and honest.”
  • “In addition to this martyr’s expertise, his personality was rare and his valuable service to this country was critical in many sectors.” (Mehr News)
     
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham censured the terrorist attacks on Nigerian Shi’as mourning Ashura on November 3.  Afkham called the government of Abuja to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. (IRNA)

Military and Security

• Chief Prosecutor Hojjat al-Eslam Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi discussed security threats in Sistan va Baluchistan province:
  • “Ignorant movements are looking to create insecurity in Sistan va Baluchistan province; however, they know that Shi’a and Sunni have lived side by side for years in this region and don’t allow the enemy to create discord among them.”  (Ghatreh) 

Domestic Politics

• IRGC Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi Badr Brigade Commander Hadi al-Amiri attended a Muharram mourning ceremony at Imam Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran. Senior Iranian officials including the Supreme Leader Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and Head of the Judiciary Branch Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani were also in attendance. (Asr-e Iran)  (YJC) 

Nuclear Talks

• National Security Foreign Policy (NSFP) member and Astara Representative MP Saffar Naimi Raz reiterated the Supreme Leader’s parameters for nuclear talks with the P5+1 and said “America is looking for an excuse and greed… America has lost its place in the international community.” Naimi Raz added:
  • “The negotiations team is only allowed to discuss the nuclear issue.”
  • “However, more than 90% of the nuclear issues have been solved; the remaining items are on the number of centrifuges and the removal of sanctions.” (Fars News Agency)
     
• Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Gholam Hossein Dehghani spoke before the UN General Assembly and reiterated Iranian cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
  • “Iran has pledged to cooperate with the IAEA and last year started a new chapter of cooperation with the IAEA.”
  • “It is Iran’s intention to continue negotiations with mutual respect in order to eliminate concerns on both sides, and Iran believes the facts of Iran’s nuclear program deserve consideration. A consensual solution is attainable and a comprehensive agreement would be beneficial for both parties.” (Mehr News)
     
• NSFP Commission member and Zanjan Representative MP Mohammad Esmaili spoke in an interview about how nuclear negotiators were not allowed to speak on human rights with the P5+1:
  • “The nuclear negotiations team is only permitted to engage in dialogue and consultation in this regard [nuclear issues] and are not permitted to engage in other areas with the P5+1.”
  • “This issue [of human rights] has been brought up by America many times and our authorities have given their answer.”
  • “American politicians are less likely to speak on human rights than in the past because their hands are dirty with actions against human rights and no one has the right to talk with America about human rights.” (Fars News Agency)
     
• Head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations Kemal Kharrazi expressed doubt that Iran’s rights would be respected in the ongoing nuclear negotiations:
  • “In the nuclear negotiations, it cannot be ensured that the other party will respect our rights, and rights must be claimed rather than expecting them to be granted to us.”
  • “If you compare the Iran of 25 years ago with today, there has been a difference, and this difference was not developed by foreign effort, but the efforts of our people have been made public; and Iran, despite pressure and sanctions and coercion, has been able to achieve these improvements.” (ISNA)