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

 

Iranian clerical bodies divided over disqualification of Sanei; Iran bans cooperation with over 60 foreign organizations; Iranian Parliament opposes Ahmadinejad’s subsidy reform plan; Ahmadinejad says Iran “can fill the vacuum created by the collapse of imperialistic powers”; Rafsanjani blasts Western countries for attempts to reduce Iran’s oil revenues; Qatar’s National Bank to invest in Iran’s oil industry; Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Western pressure unhelpful to stop Iran’s ‘peaceful nuclear activities’

 

Politics

  • Association of Combatant Clergy says "there is absolutely no doubt about Ayatollah Sanei being a source of emulation," and challenges Ayatollah Yazdi's claim that Sanei lacks the necessary qualifications. 

    • Association of the Lecturers and Scholars of Qom Theological Seminary condemn questions about Ayatollah Sanei's qualifications.

    • Ayatollah Taheri supports Sane'i as a source of emulation.

    • Grand Ayatollah Sistani, Ayatollah Mousavi Ardebili, and Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi say one can't deprive Ayatollah Sanei of his status as a source of emulation and that the statement from Ayatollah Yazdi and the Association of Scholars at the Theological Seminary of Qom is not valid. Ayatollah Nouri Hamadani says one can't easily deprive someone from the dignity of being a source of emulation, and Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani says he can't express an opinion about this specific case.

  • "A high ranking individual" has visited Mir-Hossein Mousavi's family on behalf of the Supreme Leader to present condolences for the murder of his nephew. 

  • Fars News Agency publishes an old letter of adoration from the young Ali Khamenei to terrorist leader Navvab Safavi. 

Diplomacy

  • [E] Iranian Judiciary Chief Larijani has urged Muslim countries to enhance unity and solidarity in a bid to make the enemies of Islam disappointed. "The holy book (Quran) and Prophet's living traditions are two common axes shared by all Muslims, based on which they can move towards unity and confront the plots and conspiracies hatched by the arrogance powers," Larijani said in a meeting with Qatari Justice Minister Hassan Bin Abdullah al-Qanim in Tehran on Tuesday.

Military and Security

  • The Intelligence Ministry prohibits Iranian citizens from any cooperation with 62 NGO's such as "the Soros Foundation or the Open Society Foundation, Woodrow Wilson Center, Freedom House, National Endowment for Democracy, National Democratic Institute, International Republican Institute, Foundation for Democracy in Eastern Europe, Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, Hues Dutch Foundation, British MENAZ Foundation, the United Nations Foundation of the United States, Carnegie Council, Wilton Park in Britain, Common Ground Center, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the Aspen Institute, the New America Foundation, Smith Richardson Foundation, the German Marshall Foundation, Yale University, the Meridian Center, Foundation for Democracy in Iran, the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, American Enterprise Institute, and..." on causes of "playing an important role in the recent unrest."

  • Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar says "the protesters want to impose their vote to the people through dictatorship and want revenge...such individuals are, according to the theological viewpoints of the scholars and judicial authorities, are covered by the punishments for combatants and those engaged in acts against national security. They are combatants and it is clear how one must deal with combatants...I have ordered the police to show no mercy..."

  • Latest report on arrest of civil rights and political activists:

    • Sara Tavassoli, daughter of Iran Freedom Movement member Mohammad Tavassoli, is arrested. Mohammad Tavassoli's elder daughter was arrested a few days ago. 

    • Mehdi Motamedimehr, Iran Freedom Movement member, arrested by the Intelligence Ministry.

    • Reza Najafi, translator of German literature, arrested.

    • Students at Razi University in Kermanshah refuse to take part in exams as long as their classmates are imprisoned.

    • Morteza Simiari, Social Editor of the Office of Consolidation of Unity Student Organization, was arrested along with Alireza Firouzi and Sorena Hashemi, student activists at Zanjan University.

  • [E] Ahmadinejad has warned the world powers against military adventurism in the Middle East and reiterated that imperialism will disappear soon. "God willing, the dark ages of humanity are coming to an end and the Iranian nation can fill the vacuum created by the collapse of imperialistic powers," Ahmadinejad said, speaking to Iranian expatriate in Tajikistan on Monday. Ahmadinejad added that his country would not give up on its rights as it is "ten times stronger" than what it was a year ago.

  • [E] Commander of the Iranian Army Major General Ataollah Salehi has dismissed media reports about tension alongside Iran-Iraq borders over a number of shared oil wells on the Fakka field. "The colonial powers are seeking to take advantage of any minor development for advancing their ill-intended goals," he said, adding: "Iraq and Afghanistan are occupied by the colonial powers and these colonialists are trying to create disruption and trouble between the two neighboring countries, i.e. Iran and Iraq."

Economy

Trade

Media

  • The Intelligence Ministry prohibits cooperation of Iranian citizens with Voice of America, the BBC, Radio Zamaneh, "Radio of the Zionist regime [Radio Israel]," "counter revolutionary television broadcasters like the Monafeghin [Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization], Monarchist groups, Pars, Rangarang, Kanal-e Yek" along with "counter revolutionary websites following the same line as the line of discord such as JARAS and the like..." The Intelligence Ministry also stresses that any cooperation with such media will be considered "cooperation with foreign regime toppling agencies." 

Nuclear Issue

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