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

  • Ahmadinejad, speaking on the occasion of the Revolution Day:
    • "Humiliation, threats and a monopoly over science are the instruments imperialists use to rule the nations but, thanks to divine wisdom today, the Iranian nation has smashed them all and today the dear Iranian nation is among the most beloved of nations and a wave of self-confidence has swept over us...
    • Satellite launch technology is one of the highest scientific peaks of the present day and represents the highest level of all sciences of physics, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, communications, computers and electronics...
    • For 27 consecutive years, they assumed a military posture and threatened us with invasions and, under Bush who invaded the region, they officially declared they would first attack Afghanistan, Iraq and then Iran. In this context they assumed military posture on several occasions and played the march of war to the degree that the dishonorable Zionists threatened us with invasion and terror and even talked about timing. They would say that day, four in the morning. That day at midnight.
    • Now I ask: What are their conditions and what are our conditions? In this context I announce with a loud voice that thanks to divine blessing and opposition of the Iranian nation the cloud of threats has forever been removed from the nation...
    • I officially declare that Iran has become a true and real super power but Iran is a benign power seeking justice, the friend of all nations and has no designs for the countries of others and their interests...
    • At its thirtieth anniversary the Revolution is like a 15 year-old youth, energetic and idealist, but seasoned and experienced like a sixty years old. The Iranian nation is the dearest of all nations to the degree that all nations celebrate Iran's achievements and have accepted Iran as a role model.
    • I humbly announce that all those victories are nothing but mercy of God...
    • I say with a loud voice that the era of imperialism and bullying has come to an end."
  • Presidential candidate Mohammad Khatami is attacked by mobs at Revolution Day rallies. Shahab News, citing Baran News, Khatami’s news site:
    • "Fewer than ten members of vigilante groups disrupted Khatami’s rally for a few moments by chanting slogans such as 'Death to the opponent of the Guardian Jurist,' 'Death to the hypocrite,' 'Death to Khatami,' 'We don't want an American government,' and attempted to overshadow Khatami's presence."
      • Baran News' claims the vigilante groups communicated with walkie-talkies and were armed with sticks. 
      • Ansar News Agency releases new details of the attack against Khatami: "A good looking clergyman said grave things. One of the issues was this: 'Mr. Khatami, instead of wearing the robes of the prophet in society and feeding the public with innovation and lies, you should abandon such garb and wear a suit and tie in political and cultural assemblies.'" Ansar News’ analyst adds: "I agree. This illiterate person is making his earning from his chocolate colored robe and he does nothing else but conspiring against Islam and the Revolution." 
    • Khatami says he is not to be considered as opposition to the regime. 
    • According to Baztab, Khatami's campaign headquarters will operate under a different name than Khatami's because they fear he will leave the campaign at some point after which the campaign headquarters intends to support a different candidate. 
    • Parliamentarian Rouhollah Hosseinian declines to comment on whether presidential candidate Khatami should be disqualified but expresses hope that "Should Mr. Khatami run, the Principalists will unite and, God willing, Mr. Khatami will be defeated.
  • Presidential candidate Karrubi says he will not make an alliance with Khatami but will run for president with his own platform. 
  • E'temaad says former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi will run for president.
  • Despite polls showing Khatami’s popularity, Ahmadinejad advisor for clerical affairs Hojjat al-Eslam Mohammad-Naser Sagha-ye Bi-Ria stresses that Ahmadinejad's victory is certain. Bi-Ria adds that Ahmadinejad should have a Principalist rival up to the very day of the election after which the rival leaves the race making Ahmadinejad the only Principalist choice.
  • Agah-Sazi prints Sheikh Hassan Rowhani's speech on occasion of death of Ayatollah Khomeini's first son Mostafa.
  • Former Isfahan Governor General Mahmoud Hosseini claims Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi did not play an active role in opposition against the Shah's regime. 

Military and security

Economy

  • Two natural gas fields discovered in Northern Khorasan. 
  • Interior Minister Mahsouli: "At this stage of development of the Islamic Revolution, the producers are holy warriors of the path of God... Islam is not opposed to wealth production, but it is against use of wealth in the ways of the religiously prohibited." 

Media

  • Ghouchani appointed editor of E'temaad-e Melli. 

Diplomacy

Religion, Society, and Culture

Human Rights and Labor

  • Seven members of the Bahai faith who are accused of being "engaged in espionage for Israel and sacrilege" to be tried next week.
  • "Basij of the Sisters" attacks actress Golshifteh Farahani.
  • Women's rights activists and sociologists from Iran, France and the US discuss what the revolution meant for women's rights in Iran. One participant says the revolution created "a kind of gender apartheid"

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