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

• Ahmadinejad cancels his visit to Bushehr planned for Friday.

Military and Security

• Reactions to U.S. allegations against Iran regarding in plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington:
  • Hassan Qashqavi, deputy foreign minister: "Despite some conflicting points of view, relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Arabia are based on mutual respect between Muslims and such deeds, which are designed to instigate conflict in the region, will not have the slightest impact."
  • Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast:
    • "Such old fashioned claims are based upon age-old hostile policies of the United States-Zionist axis. A ridiculous theater attempting to create a specific scenario and serving the purpose of instigating discord designed by the enemies of Islam and the region... The planners of such fabricated scenarios have no other goals but to create conflict and aid the Zionist regime out of its isolation."
  • Ala al-Din Boroujerdi, parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy chairman: "Doubtlessly, this is a new American/Zionist conspiracy to divert attention of the public opinion from the crisis in which Obama finds himself... Today, the United States witnesses a popular revolt by the name of Wall Street which is directed against hostile policies of this country's statesmen. Therefore, the Americans are trying to divert the public attention from the Wall Street revolt."
  • Fars News editorializes:
    • "The repeated scenario of increasing the crisis is utilized at a time when the United States and its allies are facing many challenges in domestic and foreign fields... On the one hand, the American authorities... are facing the Wall Street protests... On the other hand, the wave of the Islamic awakening all over the Middle East and a number of Arab states has created a heavy shadow of popular mistrust towards Washington and its allies' policies in these countries. Therefore, creating an atmosphere against Iran and to the benefit of the United States and Saudi Arabia could expand the maneuvering room... for these countries."
  • [E] Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi lashed out at the US for leveling a ‘phony’ accusation against Tehran, and said the best way to respond to Washington is disregarding and ignoring such allegations.
  • Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammad Khazaee in letters to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Security Council President Ogawu and UN General Assembly President Nasser condemned the US allegation that Iran had plotted to assassinate the Saudi Envoy to Washington.
  • [E] The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned the Swiss charge d' affaires to Tehran to protest at the United States' accusation against Iran.
• Mohammad-Karim Abedi, parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee member: "Today, Iran has its pawns at the very heart of Tel Aviv who will live up to their duties when needed..."
• [E] Tehran rejected the baseless claims raised by Canada about the nature of the Iranian nuclear program, and questioned Canada' honesty in its support for the Non-Proliferation Treaty, saying that Ottawa is an accomplice of Israel in its war crimes since it is a main arms supplier to Tel Aviv.

Photo of the Day

• Iran’s national football team defeats Bahrain.