A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by Ali Alfoneh, Katherine Faley, Ahmad Majidyar and Michael Rubin.  To subscribe to this daily newsletter, e-mail [email protected].

 
 (E) = Article in English

 

Iranian presidential hopefuls stepping up campaigning in run-up to polls; IRGC political chief endorses Ahmadinejad; Rowhani blasts Ahmadinejad’s performance over past four years; Obama administration considering designating Jundullah as terrorist group to bolster dialogue with Iran; UAE premier backs Iran’s nuclear program, hails growing ties with Islamic Republic; J.P Morgan Bank’s meeting with Iran’s vice president cancelled; Iran’s non-oil exports to Iraq, Russia increasing; NATO reportedly asks Iran to open corridor to Afghanistan to bypass Pakistan; Sarkozy to meet Iran’s foreign minister; Obama reiterates desire to engage in direct talks with Tehran

 

Presidential Election: General

Presidential Election: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Presidential Election: Mir-Hossein Mousavi

Presidential Election: Mehdi Karrubi

Presidential Election: Mohsen Rezai

Diplomacy

  • Ahmadinejad adds that states previously threatening Iran today are competing with each other to expand diplomatic relations with Iran. 
  • (E) The Obama administration continues to reach out to Iran, reportedly inviting Iranian government officials to celebrate July 4thas “another way of saying [the United States is] not putting barriers in the way of communicating.”
  • (E) The Obama administration is considering adding Jundullah, which claimed responsibility for the Zahedan bombing last week, to its terror list as a means of setting the stage for successful dialogue with Iran over its nuclear program and other issues.
  • (E) Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum expressed support for Iran’s nuclear program and lauded the growing diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
  • (E) India’s Ambassador to Iran Mehdi Mostafavi called for greater diplomatic ties between the two countries, whose historical connection outdates the advent of Islam.

Trade

Military and Security

Nuclear Issue

  • (E) Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and French President Nicolas Sarkozy meet Wednesday to discuss Iran’s nuclear program.
  • (E) President Obama reiterated his desire to engage in productive direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program, stating: “What I have said is that it is in the world's interests for Iran to set aside ambitions for a nuclear weapon.”

Religion, Society and Culture

  • (E) Iranian film Superstar by filmmaker Tahmineh Milani will open in three theaters in California.

Photos of the Day