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

(E) = Article in English

 

Ayatollah Yazdi blasts reformist leaders, urges opposition to remain loyal to regime; row over torn Khomeini photos continues in Tehran; Hamas political chief meets Iranian leaders in Tehran; Mottaki hails Hamas resistance, pledges continued support; Bushehr nuclear plant ‘passes main tests’; Iranian firm wins multi-million-dollar optical fiber bid in Afghanistan

 

Politics

  • Ayatollah Yazdi, addressing managers of the Owqaf and Islamic Charity Organization gathered at the Theological Seminary of Qom, attacks reformist leaders: "I am uneasy about someone dressed in clerical garb who has become a joke in society, someone who is also called the Sheikh of Reform [Sheikh-e Eslahat]...No one knows what would have happened to him in his latest trip to Qom had he not been guarded...Everyone knows the intellectual past of Mousavi. What does he have to be proud of?...Dismount the horse of Satan, and don't act against God and Islam...Mr. Hashemi [Rafsanjani], who are you to establish a supervisory committee for the vote?...Mr. Hashemi, leave the political games and get closer to the Supreme Leader. Most certainly he will welcome this, too..."

  • Rafsanjani's office in an open letter to Hojjat al-Eslam Hamid Rowhani answers allegations of "having urged the youth to become members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization."

  • Mohsen Rezai warns that discord has "reached the border of danger" and urges Karrubi and Mousavi to express their loyalty to the Supreme Leader.

  • Parliamentarian Hojjat al-Eslam Rasaei warns against "infiltration of undesirable elements into the household of the Imam [Khomeni]." In a vague reference to Hojjat al-Eslam Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Rasaei said: "The Supreme Leader of the Revolution, with his Imam-like guidance, embraced this member of the household of the Imam as his own child and advised him. Therefore, we hope that he departs from the movement applauded by the internal and external enemies of the Imam."

  • Hojjat al-Eslam Hassan Khomeini's office in Qom refutes Raja News' claim that he has fled Iran.

  • Discussions about moving the Iranian capital to Shahroud or Semnan.

  • Students at Tehran University convene to commemorate Student Day, condemn "abuse and insult against the photo of the Imam [Khomeini]..." as an excuse to suppress the student movement.

  • Karrubi and Mousavi in a joint petition demand the right to demonstrate in public to express sorrow over the insult of Khomeini’s photo.

Diplomacy

  • [E] Meeting with Hamas politburo Chief Khalid Mashaal in Tehran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani criticized the U.S. administration's approach towards Palestinian issue, and said Washington failed to provide Palestinians with basic rights. Larijani noted that Iran always supported Palestinians' goals since Islamic Revolution and it regards the approach as one of its great honors. More, here.

    • [E] Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki also held a meeting with Mashaal. "The defaming of Israel in Gaza issue is entirely indebted to the brave resistance of the Palestinian nation, led by the Hamas movement," Mottaki told Mashaal on Monday. "We congratulate the anniversary of establishment of Hamas and the Iranian people, too, joyfully participate at celebration of resistance anniversary along with the people of Gaza and Hamas," he added. Khalid Mashaal, too, pointing to the need for maintaining permanent consultations with the Iranian officials, said, "Consulting the Iranian brethren has always been fruitful."

  • [E] Ahmadinejad in a meeting with Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov underlined Tehran's resolve to boost relations with Baku in all fields.

Military and Security

Nuclear Issue

Trade

Media

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