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

• Supreme Leader Khamenei addressing theological students in Qom warns against "the enemies" who propagate the idea of "distinction between governmental clerics and independent clerics." Khamenei also stresses that there is no separation between the theological seminaries and the government.
  

Military and Security

• Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi, says "Iran's defense is not dependent on purchase of the S-300... purchasing of the S-300 from Venezuela... or China... is just rumor."
  

Nuclear Issue

• Ali-Akbar Salehi, Iran Nuclear Energy Organization director, says Iran has produced 30 kilogram of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel.
• Pakistan’s Foreign Minister criticizes Iran's nuclear program.
  

Economy

• Ahmadinejad: "Reform of the subsidies system is the best opportunity for the economic and industrial complexes to free themselves from a 150 years long laziness."
  • According to Alef News, applicants for cash handouts in three provinces of Gilan, Sistan va Balouchestan and Ilam will receive $81 in their bank accounts Thursday morning.
• Mahmoud Bahmani, Central Bank director general, commenting on the World Bank's report that Iran has $100 billion in foreign exchange reserve, says: "If they say so, it must be true. A country with $100 billion in foreign exchange reserve can't reach a dead end."
  • ISNA reports erratic changes in Iran's foreign exchange reserve during the past three years.
• Mahmoud Bahmani, Central Bank director general, says Iran's gold reserve has reached an "unprecedented $1.356 billion."
• Abrar reports a further decline on the Tehran Stock Exchange.
  

Trade

• First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi praises Iran's success at "getting around the sanctions," and adds: "The predictable sanctions taken into consideration, trade with Europe must have been reduced, but there was increased trade compared with the six months [prior to the sanctions regime]... Now some Western countries send us messages that we should engage in business with them. They give discounts and create front companies to purchase our products or in order to sell us products."
  

Photos of the Day

• Ahmadinejad and Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez at Imam Ali Officer Academy.
• Ahmadinejad's wife in Lebanon.