A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by Ali Alfoneh, Ahmad Majidyar and Michael Rubin. To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.
(E) = Article in English
Politics
- Hossein Mozaffar, United Principled Front member, predicts 65 percent popular participation in the parliamentary elections.
Diplomacy
- According to Shi'a News, Bahraini authorities have agreed to establish a union between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which means ending Bahrain's status as a sovereign state.
- [E] Ahmadinejad in a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev underlined support for the Syrian people and the Damascus government's reform plan, and voiced Tehran's opposition to any foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs.
Military and Security
- Statements by members of the Armed Forces about the parliamentary elections:
- Ten days before the parliamentary elections, Basij Commander Mohammad-Reza Naqdi congratulates "the epic presence of the people" in elections and predicts: "Popular presence in the ninth parliamentary elections will exceed the imagination of friends and foes alike."
- Esmail Ahmadi-Moqaddam, Law Enforcement Forces commander: "I am convinced that this election will be the safest and most enthusiastic of all elections."
- Ali-Reza Azimi Jahed, Sistan va Baluchestan Revolutionary Guards commander: "The Iranian nation will, with its great presence at the ballots, show its unity and solidarity to the entire world."
- News stories about the Revolutionary Guards' involvement in "cyber warfare":
- Commander Mohammad-Ali Asoudi, Revolutionary Guards Cultural and Propaganda deputy, says the IRGC has mobilized 20,000 people to "counter enemy onslaught in the soft warfare" Asoudi also says since 2009 the tactics of the Revolutionary Guards' Cyber Army has changed from a defensive to an offensive posture "pushing the fight from inside of the country to the other side of the borders."
- Bultan News criticizes the Revolutionary Guards' "deficient" effort in the field of cyber warfare.
Religion, Society and Culture
- Parsine publishes a report on traditional tea houses in Iran.
Nuclear Issue
- [E] Russian officials reiterated their country's strong opposition to fresh sanctions against Iran, and urged a negotiated end to the differences between Iran and the West.
Economy
- [E] Managing-Director of the National Iranian Offshore Oil Company (NIOOC) Mahmoud Zirakchianzadeh announced that the NIOOC is due to endorse six new contracts to develop oil and gas projects in the Persian Gulf before the end of the current Iranian year (ending March 19).
Photo of the Day
- Inauguration of Tajrish Metro Station.