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

Politics

  • Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani criticizes Ahmadinejad's interventions in legislative affairs, referring to the government's efforts not to let the Azad University become a charitable foundation [Waqf] outside the government control.
    • Government supporters and the Student Basij stage demonstrations against the parliament's decision regarding the Azad University. The students chant slogans against Larijani and threaten to "fire cannons at the parliament."
    • Addressing the parliament on June 23, Larijani criticized the government's interference and condemned anti-parliament slogans by Student Basij demonstrators. Larijani’s speech, however, won praise from many parliamentarians.
  • Seventy seven parliamentarians condemn Ahmadinejad’s criticism of harsh treatment for ladies with "bad hijab."
  • Eghbal Mohammadi, parliamentarian, says the government has not lived up to "190 promises" made during Ahmadinejad's visit to Kurdistan province.
  • Agah-Sazi blasts Welfare Minister Sadegh Mahsouli for accumulating enormous personal wealth.  
  • Ayatollah Amini condemns mistreatment of Hassan Khomeini on the death anniversary of Ayatollah Khomeini.
  • Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, Ahmadinejad's chief of staff, addresses Iranian investors based outside Iran:
    • "Empire of Cyrus invaded Babylon at the peak of its power... Anushiravan was a mighty ruler. Of course, one must say that if we here praise monarchical management, it is because it is the symbol of the Iranian nation... Anushiravan was a powerful ruler who depicted himself as just. Regardless of whether or not he was just, and one must say the fact that he depicted himself as a just ruler shows that justice has been the historical quest of the Iranian nation."
  • Mohammad-Hassan E'rabi, Ayatollah Khomeini's son in law, has died.

Diplomacy

Military and Security

Trade

  • Asr-e Iran warns against boycott of Iran's oil under U.S. sanctions.  
  • Visa and Master Card will begin circulation in Iran.
  • United Arab Emirates shuts down 40 companies violating anti-Iran sanctions.  
  • [E] Pakistani senator: "The Pakistani parliament should show its solidarity with Iran and stress that the gas pipeline project will be launched at any price.”
  • [E] Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry strongly rejected media reports that the country has or will stop swap of oil with Iran.

Economy

·         [E] Managing Director of Iran's Gas Transfer Company: “I declare very confidently that sanctions do not have any impact on our nation's and oil industry personnel's will of iron.”

·         [E] The World Steel Association reports that its steel production has exceeded 1m tons for the second consecutive month, showing an 8% increasing from the same period last year.

 Religion, Society and Culture

Nuclear Issue

·         [E] Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head Ali Akbar Salehi: "Iran will enrich uranium to 20 percent according to its needs…up until now we have produced 17 kg (37.5 lb) of 20 percent-enrich uranium and we could potentially produce 5 kg per month."

·         [E] Turkey says it is committed to working with Brazil in seeking a solution to the standoff over Iran's nuclear program despite fresh UN Security Council sanctions.

o   [E] Brazilian Foreign Minister said Tehran's nuclear issues can be resolved through political means and dialogue, and he opposed the pressures exerted by the western states on Iran.

·         [E] France says Iran's request to assign two new, unbiased officials for the inspection of its nuclear facilities is against the UN Security Council's resolution.

o   [E] Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast on Wednesday underlined Tehran's right to avoid entry of two IAEA inspectors into Iran.

·         [E] Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki describes French President Nicolas Sarkozy's offer to hold nuclear talks with Iran as a "positive approach."

 Photos of the Day