Iran News Round Up

Presidential candidates Astan Quds Razavi Foundation Head Ebrahim Raisi, Mostafa Mirsalim, Mostafa Hashemitaba, President Hassan Rouhani, and First Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri discussed Iran’s imports, banking sector reforms, subsidies, and other economic issues during the third and final presidential debate on May 12.

• Rouhani: President Rouhani focused much of the debate on defending his administration’s economic achievements. Rouhani highlighted the significant decrease in the inflation rate under his administration. He also noted the removal of non-nuclear sanctions as a result of the nuclear deal, and stressed that he is “ready to remove all other [non-nuclear] sanctions in the next four years.” Rouhani stated that Iran “took back our (oil) market from Saudi Arabia. All OPEC member countries reduced their oil production except Iran.” Rouhani noted that he will not cut current cash subsidies. Rouhani warned that his opponents’ pledges to increase cash subsidies will result in a high inflation rate. Rouhani also claimed that Raisi is not serious about fighting corruption. Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s extensive use of subsidies and other economic policies caused significant damage to Iran’s economy.
• Jahangiri: Jahangiri concentrated on attacking the two conservative frontrunners, Raisi and Ghalibaf. Jahangiri implicated Ghalibaf in several cases of corruption while serving as Mayor of Tehran, and painted Ghalibaf as insensitive to the people’s suffering under sanctions. Jahangiri also claimed that Raisi had a poor record fighting corruption in the Judiciary.  

• Ghalibaf and Raisi: Ghalibaf likewise attacked both Rouhani and Jahangiri vociferously. Ghalibaf claimed that Jahangiri and many other government officials have taken exorbitantly high salaries. Ghalibaf and Raisi also accused Rouhani of failing to address instances of his family members’ corruption. Raisi also claimed that foreign investment has decreased in the wake of the nuclear deal. Raisi reiterated his pledge to increase cash subsidies and provide sufficient care for the poor. (IRNA) (E) (IRNA) (E) (Tasnim News Agency) (E) (Fars News Agency) (ISNA)

Expediency Discernment Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned of the “dangerous game of great powers in Syria” in a post on Twitter. The tweet likely referred to President Donald Trump’s recent meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (Mehr News Agency)

Zamen Etemadi, a member of the Afghan Shia militia Fatimiyoun Brigade, was killed in an undisclosed location in Syria. He was buried in Karaj, Alborz province, on May 11. (Ghatreh)