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 subscribe to this daily newsletter, e-mail [email protected].

(E) = Article in English

No verdict yet on American citizens imprisoned in Iran; Salehi reports production of two new generations of centrifuges for uranium enrichment; Ahmadinejad blames capitalism for climate problems; Iran’s Foreign Minister to visit Lebanon; Ahmadinejad says Obama pursuing Bush’s policies; Britain invites Iran to Afghanistan summit

Politics

• Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani, Tehran temporary Friday prayer leader:

  • "Everywhere in the world when an election takes place, someone wins and some loses, fights and discussions take place, but such debates take place in speeches, the media, scientific discussions, universities and scientific and political centers. Should such conflicts enter the realm of social affairs, and become a movement within the universities, one must investigate how to deal with such a phenomenon..."

  • "What is the meaning of the slogan 'Neither East, nor West, Iranian [rather than Islamic] Republic'…? Who is benefitting from it…?"

Diplomacy

• Judiciary Deputy Raisi says no verdict issued in the case of three American citizens imprisoned in Iran.

• Ahmadinejad's visit to Denmark:

• Ahmadinejad attending the Climate Conference in Copenhagen makes seven proposals to reduce CO2 emission, including use of nuclear energy.

  • Ahmadinejad the only head of government attending the Climate Conference in Copenhagen not invited to Queen Margarethe II of Denmark's dinner party.

  • Ahmadinejad has dinner with a group of Iranian students with scholarships from the Islamic Republic who study in Denmark, Sweden and Germany.

  • Ahmadinejad meets the Turkey’s Foreign Minister during his visit to Copenhagen.

  • Foreign Minister Mottaki meets Per Stig Moeller, Denmark's Foreign Minister to discuss Afghanistan.

  • [E] Ahmadinejad has blamed capitalism and materialism for the world's environment problems. Addressing the climate conference in Copenhagen he said: "Profit-making approach to the world resources must be avoided."

  • [E] Ahmadinejad says President Obama is pursuing Bush’s policies. "So far, Mr. Obama has only talked of bringing change to Washington, but U.S. policies are not much different from before," Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on the sidelines of UN talks on climate change in Denmark.

• [E] Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki plans to visit Lebanon on Monday. Charge D'Affaires to Lebanon Mir-Masoud Hosseinian said Mottaki would meet with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri. He added that meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Ali al-Shami was also scheduled during the visit.

• [E] Britain has invited Iran to the conference on Afghanistan slated for next month in London.

  • [E] Mottaki: "All the states which are involved in the Afghanistan war need to research and launch comprehensive and realistic approaches in order to find a solution to the crisis-ridden country."

Military and Security

• An alleged former member of the Basij makes revelations about Basij preparation for suppressing demonstrations prior to the election, involvement in electoral fraud, brutal suppression of demonstrations and rape of political prisoners and the like. Video, parts one and two.

• The "Iranian Cyber Army" has hacked Mowj-e Sabz news' website.

• Friday's demonstration in protest against burning of the photo of Grand Ayatollah Khomeini:

  • The Revolutionary Guards urges the public to participate in demonstrations to protest the burning of the picture of the late Grand Ayatollah Khomeini and warns the opposition against "the wrath of God and the nation."

  • By late Thursday evening the authorities have not answered Mir-Hossein Mousavi's letter asking for permission for his supporters to demonstrate in "protest against insult against the picture of the Imam [Khomeini]" on Friday December 18, 2009.

• Student demonstration at Razi University in Kermanshah was countered by Student Basij members mobilized from outskirts of Kermanshah.

Nuclear Issue

• Aliakbar Salehi, Iran Nuclear Energy Organization Director, says the Islamic Republic has produced two new generations of centrifuges called IR3 and IR4 for the purpose of uranium enrichment.

Religion, Society and Culture

• Masoud Zaribafan, Martyr Foundation Director General, says "propagation of the culture of self sacrifice and martyrdom in the shape of art plays an important role."

Media

• According to Alef News, 56 percent of internet users in the Middle East are from Iran.

Photos of the Day

• Ahmadinejad heads to Denmark.