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

(E) = Article in English

Excerpts of these translations may only be used with the expressed consent of the authors. 

Politics

  • Judiciary Spokesman Hojjat al-Eslam Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei spoke on the investigation into the dealings of billionaire Babak Zanjani, who was arrested for financial crimes. Ejei called for people to be patient and warned them that publishing false information was detrimental to the nation and is itself a crime, but added that Zanjani owes 2 billion euros and was “arrested based on his ability to flee."
    • “What is certain about this person is that he has many companies inside and out of the country and his case is about funds or contracts that he took from many state apparatuses. Whether this individual took these funds legally or illegally is currently under investigation.”
    • “This person has claimed that he paid his debts and presented proof of payment to the Central Bank, attorney general, and some other legal authorities, but since it was determined his payments are outstanding, the search into the documents of this individual continues.”
    • Mohseni Ejei also clarified that the case of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was only in a period of supervision, not decision, and thus a subpoena has not yet been issued for his appearance in court. Shiraz MP Ahmad Reza Dastqib called the appearance of corruption and figures like Babak Zanjani the “outcome of the failure to pay attention to the commands of the Supreme Leader.” Dastqib added that, “If the current administration does not pay attention to the Supreme Leader’s recommendations on corruption, it is not improbable that new rentiers will emerge." 
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham responded to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement that Iran may have a spot at the Geneva II conference on the Syrian war:
    • “From the beginning of the Syrian crisis, Iran has announced that a political solution must be implemented to solve that [crisis] and that the only path is the path of a political solution. That is why Iran has prepared itself to participate and help find a solution to the crisis.”
    • “This subject is a principle of our nation…At the same time, we will not accept any proposal that does not coincide with Iran’s honor.”
    • Afkham also said that the Majid al-Majid issue, alleged leader of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades al-Qaeda affiliate that claimed responsibility for the bombing of the Iranian embassy in Beirut, is “under investigation, a legal follow-up is underway, and details will be gradually released." 
  • Expediency Discernment Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei claimed that “The four countries of Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan are a ‘Golden Belt’ in which all of the important global developments from the past ten years have occurred and will occur for the next ten years."
    • “We must become first in the region from an economic, scientific, and technological viewpoint. The effects of this will be seen not only in the lives of the people, but also in national security.”
    • “Likewise, from the political, national security, or evaluation of power viewpoint, after 300 years, we are today the primary regional power and among the top ten countries in the world. After 300 years we have been able to reach this point in the political and national security dimension, but in the production, trade, investment, national economy, and national welfare dimensions we do not have a good position." 
  • Presidential Cultural Advisor Hassamoldin Ashna denied claims that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not allow the presence of a supervisory committee to oversee the nuclear negotiations team.”
  • President Hassan Rouhani has announced that the first provincial visit will be to Khozestan province on January 15. Rouhani will address the problems of the region, present his plans, and begin Unity Week.

Diplomacy 

  • National Security and Foreign Policy Parliamentary Commission Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi announced that a Canadian Parliamentary delegation “will soon travel to Tehran.” The chairman noted the recent string of European visits, saying “Following the trips by the European Union, German, and Irish Parliamentary delegations, they are also joining the European convoy.”
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif met with Italian Foreign Policy Commission Chairman Pier Ferdinando Casini and his parliamentary delegation in Iran to speak about bilateral relations between the countries, regional developments, and international issues. Zarif said that “Iran can play an important regional role” and that “the planning over the past few years to eliminate Iran’s role was an error.”
  • Zarif was invited on Sunday to Istanbul by his Turkish counterpart in order to discuss the Syrian crisis and renew negotiations. Information on the “Strategic Council Cooperation Agreement” between Tehran and Ankara is expected to be announced shortly.

Military and Security

Economy

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