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

 

MIRO says Iran facing ‘outright coup’; controversy erupts over Mousavi’s alleged attempts to set up political party; Baztab reports 50% of cabinet ministers to quit; Rafsanjani to lead next Friday Prayer in Tehran; Supreme Leader’s advisor calls Britain, France ‘worse’ than U.S.; Iran protests to China about ‘suppression’ of Muslims; Ahmadinejad describes killing of Egyptian woman in German court as ‘conspiracy’; Karrubi demands release of political prisoners; Iranian authorities embark on new arrests; latest confessions implicate MKO in post-election violence; Central Bank reports 22.5% inflation; Iran to offer world ‘new package’; Iranian would-be suicide bomber arrested in southern Afghanistan

 

 

 

 

 

Politics

 

Religion, Society and Culture

  • Religious scholar and innovator Hojjat al-Eslam Mohsen Kadivar releases a statement made by Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, which he says equals a fatwa against government and the Guardian Jurist's suppression of the popular will. 
  • (E) Iranian actress Farrokh-Laqa Houshmand passed away at the age of 81 due to brain injuries.
  • (E) Iran ranked 11th this year at the Universiade international sports event held in Belgrade.
 

Diplomacy

 

Media

  • Alef News Agency notices a significant change in BBC Persian's coverage of Iran, points to lack of BBC reports on demonstrations on the occasion of commemoration of the 1999 student uprisings in Tehran and lack of interviews with those involved in demonstrations in Tehran. Alef News concludes that Supreme Leader Khamenei's warnings against British "interference in internal affairs of Iran" has produced a change in BBC's behavior, but also puts forward the hypothesis that the change of behavior may be due to "limited number of demonstrators." 
  • Asr-e Iran condemns IRNA official news agency's role as "defender of Communist China" when it comes to "massacre of Muslims in China," after IRNA says the suppression was Beijing’s attempt to "defend China against a velvet revolution supported by the CIA."
  • According to Fars News Agency the Law Enforcement Forces will intensify raids against satellite dishes. 
 

Military and Security

  • Karrubi, in an open letter to Judiciary Chief Shahroudi, demands release of imprisoned political activists and journalists.
    • Family members of recently imprisoned civil rights activists write letters to the sources of emulation in Qom asking for support. 
  • Colonel Mehdi Ahmadi, the Law Enforcement Forces Information Bureau Chief, claim "a small number were arrested in Tehran" on the occasion of commemoration of the 1999 student uprisings "all of whom were engaged in destruction of public property.
  • Iranian/American scholar Kian Tajbakhsh, who according to Alef News Agency is "a secret representative of the American Soros Foundation," was arrested in Tehran Thursday and his computer was confiscated by the security forces. According to Alef News "in the recent events...he has been involved in coordinating some internal elements with academic and intelligence institutions outside the country..." Alef News Agency also releases forced televised confessions of Tajbakhsh, made during an earlier arrest of the academic. 
  • Alef News Agency releases a backgrounder on Peter Ackerman and Ramin Ahmadi whom the news agency accuses of training Iranian dissidents in non-violent methods of toppling the Islamic Republic regime. 
  • According to Fars News Agency, imprisoned Islamic Republic of Iran "diplomats" Baqer Qeibshavari, Majid Qaemi Heydari, Abbas Hatami Kasavand, Mahmoud Farhadi and Majid Dagheri will return to Iran tomorrow. 
  • Sistan va Balouchestan Judiciary authorities say "God willing" brother of Jundallah leader Abd al-Malek Rigi and a number of other terrorists will be executed next week. 
  • Saudi Arabia's Coas Guard arrests Iranian fishermen in Saudi territorial waters.
  • Brigadier General Firouzabadi, Armed Forces Command Council Chief writes an open letter of sorrow [ranjnameh] to the Imam of the Era complaining about Mousavi and the reformist camp. 
  • (E) A computer crimes law, passed by the Majlis and confirmed by the Guardian Council, has been implemented by President Ahmadinejad.
  • (E) In Qazvin, seven Iranian detainees have admitted their connection to Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) and their role in inciting post-election violence.
  • (E) Iran reported that efforts by its security forces to reduce smuggling in Iran were successful, noting a $400 million decrease in smuggled commodities.
 

Economy

  • The Central Bank reports 22.5 percent inflation.
 

Trade

 

Nuclear Issue

  • Foreign Minister Spokesman Qashqavi says the Islamic Republic is preparing a new "package to the world" with regard to Iran's nuclear program and a general worldwide nuclear disarmament. 
 

Iran in the Afghan Media

  • Afghan commentary says Arab nations are concerned about U.S. diplomacy with Iran. The author writes that Arab countries, especially Egypt and Saudi Arabia, are worried about Iran’s growing interference in regional countries and its attempts to spread Shi’a Islam. The writer adds that talks between the United States and Iran could split the Arab world. He quotes an Egyptian journalist as saying: “We Arabs must talk to reach a unified position before talking to Iran.”
  • Afghan security forces in the southern province of Helmand have arrested an Iranian national allegedly carrying out a suicide attack mission in southern Afghanistan. The national security chief of the province, Gen. Mohammad Naeem, said the Iranian national had been trained as a suicide attacker in a madrassa (religious seminary), called Hefaz Qazi, in Al-Bandeen region in Baluchistan Province [of Pakistan].
 

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