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 addresses Basij members in Qom:
  • "In the sedition of 2009 many made mistakes; some of them corrected their mistakes later. But the great movement of the Basij did not take the wrong path and managed to remain in the path of the truth by preserving its insight... Sometimes, respectable public figures take the wrong path. Therefore, one must recognize the right and wrong path with insight, not by [trusting disgraced] public figures and individuals..." 
• Opposing Supreme Leader Khamenei's statements about translation of Western books in the field of humanities, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, Ahmadinejad's chief of staff expresses his opposition to halting to translation of Western literature. Mahaei stressed:
  • "I do not believe that we should not translate foreign humanistic [literature] or that our students should not study them. I believe that the path of success in this field is development and production. We should have active chairs who by criticizing the work find the true thought... The East/West struggle must end. The West is not only the United States, and the United States is not only the ruling class [of the United States]. The West has been ill for some time and understands this pain more than us. It is in need of medicine and cure..."
  • In another controversial statement Mashaei talked about homosexuality in Iran: "At Columbia University the president talked for hours. Someone asked him why don't you allow homosexuality in your country? Answering this question Ahmadinejad explained that in our country there is no demand for homosexuality, unlike in your country... Translation of this answer of the president was misunderstood. For example, it was interpreted that there are no homosexuals in our country, and everyone laughed; they and were amazed that there are no homosexuals in Iran."
• [E] A senior Iranian official underlined Iran's technical and scientific capabilities in different fields, including the nuclear technology, and described "negotiation" as the sole way for the West to resolve its nuclear dispute with Iran.
• According to Tehran-e Emrooz, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, Ahmadinejad's chief of staff, chose not to address the National Quran Festival following "student protests." Ahmadinejad tasked Hamid Baghayi, Iran Cultural Heritage Organization director general, who is ideologically close to Mashaei, to address the festival.

Diplomacy

• The Dutch ambassador to Tehran, presenting his credentials to Ahmadinejad, expressed hope for expanding the Netherlands's relations with Iran.
• [E] A top Iranian human rights official says Western governments should not be considered the “benchmark” on human rights issues.
• [E] Iran's embassy in Kabul has dismissed reports by a US newspaper claiming that it delivered "bags of money" to Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Economy

• Supreme Leader Khamenei, addresses the Basij members in Qom:
  • "In this propaganda [of the enemy], they attempt to depict the economic environment of the country as hopeless and heading towards a dead end, but this is contrary to the truth... "
• Speaking on the occasion of the international Statistics Day, Ahmadinejad demanded that state agencies provide "coordinated statistics."
• Mahmoudreza Khavari, State Bank Executives Coordination Council director, says the increased price of gold in the Iranian market is due to the increased world market price of gold and not increased domestic demand. http://www.abrarnews.com/economic/1389/890802/html/bank.htm 
• The Tehran Organization of Commerce declares price tags on products for sale mandatory.
• The head of South Khorasan Organization of Commerce says that no price increase has been detected at local markets. Donya-ye Eqtesad

Trade

• According to the Kuwaiti news agency, the European Union is imposing "control mechanisms" upon business deals with Iran surpassing €10,000 and mandatory use of a "certificate" of foreign exchange for business surpassing €40,000.
• [E] Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei downplays the effectiveness of international and unilateral sanctions against the Iranian nation, and stresses that the Islamic Republic is now in its best shape, standing at the height of political might and power.
• South African companies express their readiness to participate in mining and mine industry projects in Iran. Donya-ye Eqtesad
• The cabinet and parliament agree upon a single rate gasoline price.
  • However, according to Abrar-e Eqtesadi, gasoline will most likely be offered on the Iranian market at multiple rates: The free market rate and a subsidized rate.
• Turkmenistan is the largest exporter of electricity to Iran, while Iran exports electricity to Iraq, Afghanistan, Nagorno-Karabakh, Pakistan, Armenia and Turkey.
• With flights to Kazakhstan and Syria, Zanjan Airport becomes international.
• The Central Bank prepares the ground for foreign banks to operate in Iran.

Photos of the Day

• Supreme Leader Khamenei at the mosque of Jamkaran.
• Supreme Leader Khamenei meets members of the Basij in Qom.