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

Politics

• Ala al-Din Boroujerdi, parliamentary National Security Committee chairman: "Unfortunately, 30 years after the revolution, there is still no clear definition of political crimes and punishments in this country."

Diplomacy

• Kayhan editorializes: "These tactics have all been tested and they have produced the reverse result. The United States must first analyze the reason why Iran has developed into the primary power of the region from a strategic point of view..."

Military and Security

• According to Sobh-e Sadegh'sanalyst, Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon has demonstrated "the strategic depth of the Islamic Revolution."
• Mohammad Pakpour, Revolutionary Guards Ground Forces chief:
  • "Two years ago we chose a policy of making border area security the responsibility of the people..."
  • "This was the process which commander Shoushtari began in the eastern parts of the country until he was martyred..."
  • "We have benefited much from this strategy... When the security of a region is given into the hands of the people, security will prove permanent."
• Abdollah Eraghi, Revolutionary Guards Ground Forces deputy:
  • "Today, security of the Sistan va Balouchestan province has become permanent thanks to powerful presence of the Revolutionary Guards along with the help of the clans, tribes and the Basij members of this region..."
  • "When things happen in the southeastern parts of the country, it is they are small and normal matters..."
  • "Such blind deeds can take place anywhere in the world and in the most secure countries..."
    • In his statements to Sobh-e Sadegh,Eraghi specifically talks of arming and incorporation of the tribes to guarantee regional security in periphery areas.
• Tehran-e Emrooz reports a terrorist incident in Sistan va Balouchestan province.
• Hassan Eraghizadeh, Revolutionary Guards health deputy, says the IRGC will expedite a part of its relief organization to Pakistan.
• According to Donya-ye Eqtesad, Hojjat al-Eslam Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ezhehi, Supreme Prosecutor General, says Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani will be arrested, if necessary with the help of Interpol.

Economy

• Tehran-e Emrooz reports $6 billion decrease in value of the companies registered on Tehran Stock Exchange.
• Labor Minister Abd al-Reza Sheikh al-Eslami:
  • "I am not aware of the unemployment rate. The Statistical Center provides the unemployment rate and it seems as if the latest announcements point at 14.6% unemployment."
• Economy Minister Sham al-Din Hosseini says the government's promised cash handout will be transferred to the applicants' bank accounts next week.
• According to Abrar-e Eqtesadi,lack of investment is the main reason behind delay of oil and gas development projects.
• Abd al-Hossein Bayat, National Petrochemical Industries executive director, says the price of petrochemical products will not increase because of the reform of the subsidies scheme.
• According to Donya-ye Eqtesad, two months after privatization of Iran Khodro, it is still unclear if the sale of the car manufacturer's shares on Tehran Stock Exchange was legal.
• According to Abrar-e Eqtesadi,Iran has imported $1.7 billion worth of gold during the past six months.

Trade

• Ahmadinejad addresses the masses in Ardebil: "Some of those who signed the sanctions send secret messages to establish commercial, economic and investment agreements with Iran."
• Tehran-e Emrooz:
  • "Merchants were forced to use traditional methods to transfer money to countries with which they were engaged in business, but yesterday the relations between Iran and the [United Arab] Emirates has improved and the merchants can use this golden path to transfer money to different countries."
  • Masoud Daneshmand, head of the Iran/Emirate Chamber of Commerce, adds: "Hawaleh operations between money dealers in Iran and the Emirates took place yesterday and the merchants managed to use the Hawaleh method rather than the traditional methods."
• According to Donya-ye Eqtesad, Mohammad-Mehdi Rasekh, Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines secretary, discusses Iran's presence in the Iraqi market:
  • "Our presence in Iraq is possible through two strategies. The first is through export of goods. This can be done by the private sector. The second strategy could be through reconstruction of this country in which the private sector could be the executive part, but it is the government which through use of its influence in Iraq's political structure prepares the ground for presence in reconstruction of this country..."
• ISOICO replaces Khatam al-Anbia Construction Base of the Revolutionary Guards in development of the 15th and 16th phases of the South Pars Oil and Gas field.
• China begins its operations in the 11th phase of the South Pars gas and oil field.
• Heathrow Airport denies fuel to Iran Air which forces Iran Air to choose a remote airport in Britain to land.
• Industry and Mines Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian says Iran will soon join the club of steel exporters.

Photo of the Day

• Ahmadinejad and chief of staff Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei in Ardebil.