Iran News Round Up

A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by Ali Alfoneh and Ahmad Majidyar. To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.

(E) = Article in English 

• Rafsanjani receives student activists: "A free and transparent [presidential] election based on the constitution could solve the greatest part of the country’s problems. In addition to increasing the trust of the public and pro-regime people, it would also take the hope from foreign enemies who will find themselves disarmed."
• A Facebook group urges Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei to run for president.

Diplomacy

• Diplomasi-ye Irani's comparative analysis of Obama and Romney's Iran policy depicts Obama as someone who gives concessions to the Islamic Republic, and Romney as a "bully."
  • Diplomasi-ye Irani's analysis of the two presidential contenders' North Korea policy depicts the same picture: "Obama's carrots and Romney's stick."
• News stories concerning closure of the Canadian Embassy in Tehran:
  • According to Fars News, Canada closed its embassy in Tehran because of "Tehran's opposition to the Zionist regime."
  • Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi: "Canada's foreign policy is influenced by Zionist machinations and [Canada] follows their line. [Canada] is trying to strengthen relations with this regime and win their favor. This initiative is in the interest of the Zionist regime."
  • Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast: "Canada's step was a reaction to diplomatic defeat at the Non-Allied Movement Summit... The answer to this hasty and radical move will soon be announced to the people of Iran."
  • Ala al-Din Boroujerdi, parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee chairman: "The British General Governor decides for Canada."
  • Javad Jahangirzadeh, parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee member: "The government of Canada is under the control of the British General Governor."
  • Hamidreza Taraqi, Moetalefeh faction international affairs secretary: "The Canadian Embassy was like the American Embassy and should have been closed... We welcome severing of relations with Canada. This country's dependency on the Zionist regime has created conditions which make us not need relations with Canada."
  • Mehdi Amirian, Office of Consolidation of Unity student organization secretary: "It is the Queen of England who appoints the Governor General of Canada... The embassy of the 'Son of the Old Fox' should have been closed earlier." 
  • Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani cancels his participation at the Inter-parliamentary Conference in Canada in protest against "the Zionist and anti-Iranian policies of Canada."
• Mohsen Pak-Ayin, head of the Afghanistan Committee of the Foreign Ministry discusses Iran/Afghanistan economic relations:
  • "For almost a year, the United States has used different tricks, in particular threats against the political and economic authorities in Afghanistan, in an attempt to create obstacles in the path of Tehran/Kabul economic relations. The United States Treasury delegation's visit led to press reports which triggered some reactions... But as predicted, this American request was ignored by the Afghan authorities, which in reality is a negative reaction [to the United States]... If the United States hinders Afghanistan's trade with Iran, the Afghan economy will face a crisis, and the United States is disrupting Afghanistan's economic development... For the time being, most oil imports... of Afghanistan take place through the Iranian border. Afghanistan has purchased $1.1 billion worth of products from Iran during the past five months. In reality, Afghan merchants, following Iraq, China and the United Arab Emirates, have made the greatest imports from Iran placing Afghanistan fourth among countries importing from Iran..."

Military and Security

• UAE official warns of retaliatory measures if Iran tries to organize terrorist cells in the Persian Gulf countries. 

Religion, Society and Culture

• Hojjat al-Eslam Mahmoud Nabavian, parliamentarian: "Galileo's theory was the start point of deviation of human beings from monotheism..."

Photo of the Day

• A statement on the door of the Iran’s embassy in Ottawa: "Based on the Canadian government’s hostile decision, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is closed and has stopped providing consular services to dear compatriots."