Iran News Roundup September 23, 2010

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

Supreme Leader Khamenei addresses members of the Construction Jihad: "[Those who believe that the revolution is antiquated and over] and that the Imam [Khomeini] is forgotten have not necessarily been enemies of the revolution from its beginning. They have capitulated in the face of base attraction of material and personal goods. They have become slaves of leadership and power. This heavy burden has emptied them inside. Thus, they believe that the revolution is over..." "The nation will - without paying attention to current or future defections - continue its significant growth." Mohsen Rezai, former Revolutionary Guards chief, says he welcomes Mir-Hossein Mousavi's "disclosure" of war era secrets, reiterating his claim that Basij members "would have been in the streets of Baghdad" had Mousavi's government provided the necessary funding for the war effort. Resalat slams Rafsanjani for meeting with family members of "those involved in the discord."

Military and Security 11 people were killed and 42 others were wounded in a terrorist attack in Mahabad at the parade ground commemorating the war with Iraq. Hassan Firouzabadi, Armed Forces Chief of Staff: "Iran's military power is a deterrent against the enemy's lust for the water and soil of this land. With her recent remarks, Mrs. Clinton made it clear that she has lost hope in using military force against Iran. Instead, she has announced US support for participants in the discord and is attempting to use these individuals for her own ends. The American Secretary of State has confessed to having had meetings with the heads of the discord abroad. This [claim] must be investigated by the authorities." Rahim Safavi, former Commander of the IRGC: "We will not start the war but if someone attacks us and invades us we will attack forcefully. Our defense is deterrent, effective and decisive beyond the geographic borders and the Persian Gulf." Army Chief Ataollah Salehi expresses readiness of the Army to "counter any threat." Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi says the Islamic Republic is producing an air defense system resembling the Russian S-300. Hossei Alaei, former Revolutionary Guards chief of staff: "These individuals have marginalized many original individuals to such a degree that they say that the viewpoints of Imam Khomeini belong to the past and that they question them. On the other hand they praise Cyrus. These are the important issues which exist. During the war it was different."

Nuclear Issue

Kayhan editorializes: "The United States should know that Iran will never forget the American conspiracies in the days following the 2009 election. Nor will Iran forget the deep and continuous support of the United States for the rioters. This is a great obstacle standing in the way of cooperation between Washington and Iran." “Iran’s nuclear program today is significantly different from its program in June 2008. During these two short years Iran has made significant progress in its enrichment capabilities, and the Bushehr power plant has been fueled, making any attack against Iran impossible. Therefore, the departure point for negotiations is fundamentally different from what it was in 2008 or 2009." "Iran is the center of any future regional strategy in Afghanistan and has prepared an elaborate strategy in response to this fact. In Iraq, after reduction of United States' troops and Maleki's election, Iran's maneuvering room has increased considerably. In regard to the negotiations of collaboration the Abbas-Netanyahu talks have been nothing but a waste of time. Even if they did reach an agreement, it would not be of any use because of the existence of the resistance movement." "Finally, because of the consolidation of the national and regional strength of Iran, as well as successful containment of continuous American conspiracies, the price that the United States must pay for any agreement is higher now than ever before."

Economy

According to Donya-ye Eghtesad, contrary to earlier government promises,cash handouts will not be transferred tomorrow; applicants must wait until mid-October. Tehran-e Emrouz editorializes: "An operation as complicated as the reform of the subsidies system will have its side effects... experts warn of a period of austerity." Hadi Ghavami, parliamentary Plan and Budget Committee member, says "unemployment is 16% among the educated but only 8% among others." Mahmoud Bahmani, Governor of the Central Bank, comments that controlling inflation in the wake of price liberalization is beyond the capacity of the Central Bank. The real estate trade has been subjected to 3% value added tax.

Trade

Chinese companies invest $200 million in a Tehran freeway. The Ministry of Agricultural Jihad prohibits the importation of 323 agricultural products to Iran. Mohammad-Ali Ramin, Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance Media Affairs Deputy, prohibits the printed press, news agencies and internet based news websites to "propagate and spread greater than real reports on issues instigating discord and conflict between the authorities..."

Photo of the Day

War commemoration parade in the outskirts of Tehran.