A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by AEI Critical Threats Project Iran Analyst Will Fulton. To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.

(E) = Article in English

Politics

  • Head of the Imam Khomeini Research Institute Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi said reformists do not have any chance of succeeding in the upcoming presidential elections, and added,  "if in the elections the decision is between reformists or principlists, everyone must decide upon principlists and set aside their other opinions..." He also said, "today the competition is among principlists because reformists do not have a place among the people after the [2009] sedition."
  • The parliament's budget commission rejected the administration's entire fiscal budget proposal for the Iranian new year.

Diplomacy

  • Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei met with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza in Tehran and said, "Iran welcomes the progress, expansion, and unity of African countries."

Military and Security

  • Head of University Jihad Expansion Studies Research Center Dr. Jalal Ghaffari told Fars News that "national and cultural interests have not been observed regarding internet and mobile [technology]" and "we need an Islamic revolution in the communications arena." 
  • Law Enforcement Cyber Division FATA arrested an Iranian youth for selling internet proxy software in Ghazvin. 

Nuclear Issue

  • Nuclear specialist Hassan Beheshtipour said, "Iran possesses the sufficient scientific capability for research in various peaceful nuclear fields." He noted that uranium mines in Yazd and Ardakan have been modernized and will have greater yields from now on, adding, "Iran no longer needs to acquire these materials from abroad. The acceleration of building and other progress demonstrate Iranian self-sufficiency that advance despite all firm sanctions." 
  • Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani said, "the path for rational negotiations and rational nuclear dialogues are open and we hope Western countries come to their senses."
  • Head of Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi said, "the loser of Iranian nuclear games are the West and the US" because "Iran has reached all of its goals in this game, including enrichment and access to nuclear knowledge while they have not reached their goal, which is Iran ceasing its enrichment. Therefore our country is the winner of this great game."
  • A source close to the Iranian nuclear negotiation team denied any bilateral Iranian-American meetings in Kazakhstan.

Photo of the Day

  • President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meets with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza in Tehran.