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

 

 

Khatami worried over militarization of Iran; Khamenei says Iran not to give in to pressure; Intelligence Ministry claims terrorist plots uncovered during elections; Shirin Ebadi calls on world community to politically isolate Iran; Tehran reviews ties with Britain; Afghan officials worried over adverse effects of Iran’s growing unrest on Afghanistan’s security

 
 

Politics

  • Former president Khatami expresses concern over militarization of Iran.
  • Mir-Hossein Mousavi turns down offer by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting to take part in a televised debate and answer to journalists’ questions.
  • [E] Supreme Leader Khamenei says Iran not to give in to pressure.
  • [E] Iran’s Intelligence Ministry foils “terrorist plots” during elections. "The ministry has dismantled the groups involved in such activities and has arrested almost all group-members in two stages," IRNA quoted Intelligence Minister Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei.
  • Iran’s Interior Ministry officially refutes Mousavi’s allegations of election irregularities in detail. 
  • Committee in Defense of the Vote in an open letter to the Iranian nation condemns the Islamic Republic’s response to Mousavi's criticism of the health of the election. 
  • Khamenei demands the Guardian Council use five more days for investigation of election irregularities.  
  • Parliamentarian Ahmad Tavakkoli urges Mousavi to abstain from political suicide and put an end to demonstrations. 
  • Fars News Agency says the Combatant Clergy Association's latest statement - which according to Fars is along the lines of counter-revolutionary movements [ed. such as Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization leader Massoud] Rajavi, [Empress] Farah Pahlavi, [Jundullah leader Abdolmalek] Rigi, [Crown Prince] Reza Pahlavi and in harmony with Zionist statesmen – proves that it has joined the camp of the counter-revolution, and by accepting the revolt and chaos and street gatherings, has taken responsibility for the blood shedding." 
  • Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf presents his views on the post election events. (Video) 

Military and security

  • According to the BBC Persian, Iran’s security forces have arrested editorial members of Kalameh and Kalameh-ye Sabz online news sources close to Mousavi on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. No demonstration is reported, but cars are reported to commute with their lights on during the day and honk in support of Mousavi. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting on the other hand shows televised "confessions" of arrested protesters who say "they were under the influence of the BBC Persian." 
  • The Public Relations Office of the Center for Research into Organized Crime releases its fourth warning against those involved in "cyber unrest." 

Diplomacy

Iran in the Afghan Media

  • Afghan government authorities have expressed the concern that Iran may step up action against foreign forces in Afghanistan in revenge for growing pressure by the American and European governments following the disputed elections in that country. Some Afghan officials have expressed the fear that the Islamic Republic of Iran could adopt the policy of “exporting problems to outside”, to divert world attention from its internal turmoil.
  • Iran skips Afghanistan summit in Italy.