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, Diana Timmerman, and Marie Donovan. To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.

 (E) = Article in English

Official Statements

• Armed Forces General Staff Headquarters Basij Affairs and Culture Deputy Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Brig. Gen. Massoud Jazayeri spoke about how the US continues to support ISIL and is seeking to have more of a regional presence:
  • “America and the so-called Coalition against ISIL, while claiming to be confronting this terrorist and criminal group, have sent shipments of weapons, food, and medicine to ISIL in the Jalawla [Iraq] region, this clearly demonstrates the lies of the Coalition and America.”
  • “Once again America is seeking a stronger presence in the region, including in Iraq, under the pretext of fighting terrorism. This is why in the bombings in Iraq and Syria, under the pretext of attacking ISIL, they have killed a large number of Syrian and Iraqi military personnel and civilians.” (Defa Press)
     
• Expediency Discernment Council member Mostafa Mir Salim discussed the place of Iran’s Resistance Economy in its broader strategic endeavors:
  • “The general economic policies of resistance is the basis of a strategic plan which considers the most important past policies and problems and provides new strategic objectives and priorities of the country against pressures and threats.”
  • “A resistant economy is not a school or an attitude, but rather a pattern that resists revolving around these beliefs.”
  • “Economic sanctions and pressures of opposing powers, competition with regional countries, and the economy of larger countries are included in the impact upon the country’s economy.” (Fars News Agency)

Regional Developments and diplomacy

• Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian and Oceania Affairs Ibrahim Rahimpour arrived in Pakistan on Monday, where he is scheduled to meet with Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaundhry in Islamabad. The two sides will discuss recent developments along the Iran-Pakistan border and regional security. (IRNA)
   
• IRGC Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, referred to as the “General who liberated Amirli” according to Iraqi social media reports, was in Iran during Iraqi Prime Minister Heidar al-Abadi’s visit to Tehran and then promptly returned to Iraq to liberate the city of Jurf al-Sakhar (South of Baghdad). The operation was called “Ashura,” the “anti ISIL coalition” began its operations on Friday October 24 without Western assistance. Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) reportedly played a vital role in the assault it dubbed “Avenging the blood of Abu Kosar.”
  • Soleimani was also seen photographed with Head of Badr Brigades Hadi al-Amiri, Deputy Commander of AAH Hojjat al-Eslam Seyyed Mohammad Tabatabai, and Sheikh Adnan Shahmani Kata'ib Tira al-Rasali. (Tabnak)
     
• Border Guards Commander Brig. Gen. Qassem Rezaei met with Iraqi Interior Minister Mohammed Salem al-Ghabban in Baghdad on Sunday. They discussed border security along the Iran-Iraq border and measures to enhance border integrity. Ghabban also thanked Iran for its support in the fight against ISIL. (ISNA)
   
• Head of the Passive Defense Organization IRGC Brig. Gen. Gholam Reza Jalali spoke about identifying and protecting against threats to the country’s infrastructure and mentioned that the Ministry of Intelligence arrested a group of Senegalese who were attempting to illegally purchase information on telecommunications infrastructure:
  • “The first step of enemy intelligence agents is against many types of infrastructure, including technological and communications networks. For example, what is our relationship like with Senegal? The Ministry of Intelligence arrested a group of Senegalese attempting to purchase information about our telecommunications infrastructure.” (Defa Press)

Nuclear Talks

• An unnamed member of Iran’s nuclear negotiations team dismissed an LA Times report regarding a potential extension between Iran and the P5+1 past the November 24 deadline:
  • “The paper’s report is not true and the extension of the negotiations is not on the agenda. All the attention is focused on the serious continuation of the negotiations until November 24.”
  • “Iran will strongly continue to proceed with its peaceful nuclear activities.” (Tasnim News Agency) (LA Times)
     
• International and Legal Affairs Deputy to the Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that no amount of sanctions will be acceptable in a potential nuclear deal, and it is not clear a deal will be reached by the November 24 deadline:
  • “The removal of sanctions must be arranged and the Islamic Republic of Iran will not accept a single sanction in a Comprehensive Nuclear Agreement.”
  • “Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 face a hard and steep path, and completing the negotiations by the deadline is not in clear sight. There is no doubt that trying to negotiate through the media instead of at the negotiating table and publicly declaring political demands, especially those with irrational excesses, do not help in reaching a final agreement before the deadline, but makes the path harder and more abysmal.” (Fars News Agency)
     
• President Hassan Rouhani discussed the nuclear negotiations and collaboration against ISIL upon receiving the credentials of the new Belgian ambassador to Iran:
  • “The Supreme Leader’s fatwa is the most important guarantee of a peaceful nuclear program….If a serious political will of the negotiating parties exists, we can reach a comprehensive agreement which results in a win-win for both parties.”
  • “The disease of terrorism and extremism is more dangerous than the disease of Ebola, and the only solution to combat this threat is collaboration, cooperation, and coordination of countries; the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to effectively coordinate with all countries.”
  • “We hope to overcome the obstacles and have Belgian businessmen and merchants in Iran… It is my endeavor to bring a large delegation of Belgian businessmen to Iran in the near future.” (Fars News Agency)
     
• Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited the enrichment plants of Fordow and Natanz along with Legal and International Affairs Deputy to the Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Policy Manager and Head of the nuclear negotiations expert team and Foreign Ministry Political and International Affairs Director Hamid Baidinejad, American and European Affairs Deputy to the Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) spokesman Behruz Kamalvandi, and Ministerial Office Managing Director Eshagh al Habib. The visit paid “tribute to the great nuclear martyrs in the continuation of peaceful activities in the operation of nuclear knowledge.” (ISNA)