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

• According to Javan Online, Ahmadinejad's team is "provoking the Assembly of Experts to dismiss the Supreme Leader."
• Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei pardons a number of political prisoners belonging to "the sedition of 2009," as well as a few imprisoned Ahmadinejad supporters known as members of "the deviant current."
• Mashreq News predicts that as the cost of Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei's presence in cabinet increases, Ahmadinejad will be ready to "tactically remove his old comrade from executive positions."
  • Khabar Online predicts that Ahmadinejad will try to mobilize support following the removal of Mashaei, Baqaei and Rahimi.
• Farda News interprets Hojjat al-Eslam Mohammad Mousavi Khoeiniha's statements in praise of the elevated position of the Supreme Leader and guardian jurist as a tactical move prior to parliamentary elections
• Former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaei is hurt in an airplane crash.  
• [E] Iranian Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi warned that those who staged a ‘sedition’ plot after the 2009 presidential election in collaboration with a number of western states have once again hatched plots to undermine the country's security during the upcoming parliamentary elections, but added that Iranian intelligence forces are fully prepared to foil such plots.

Diplomacy

• Farda News urges the Islamic Republic authorities to contain Qatar's quest for regional influence.

• [E] Pakistan's Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani is scheduled to pay a visit to Iran at the head of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation on Monday.

Military and Security

• Judiciary Spokesman Hojat al-Eslam Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ezhehi threatens Iranians who protest against the fate of Lake Urumiyeh.
• [E] The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) plans to start massive air drills in the country's Northwestern regions later today.
• [E] A senior Iranian police chief announced on Tuesday that five members of an al-Qaeda terrorist cell have been captured in Iran's Southeastern province of Kerman.

Trade

• Fararu warns against Iran's backwardness when it comes to development of shared oil and gas fields.

Religion, Society and Culture

• Office of the Supreme Leader declares eating of a $400 ice cream prepared with gold haram. 
  • Tehran Municipality prohibits sale of the $400 ice cream which was served at the Milad Tower.

Photos of the Day

• Mahan Air grounded in Mashhad.