A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by AEI Critical Threats Project Iran Analysts Mehrdad Moarefian and Marie Donovan, with contributors Farzin Farzad and Diana Timmerman. To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.

Key takeaway: Iran and the U.S. held the sixth day of nuclear negotiations in Lausanne. Negotiations will resume on March 25.

Iran and the U.S. concluded the sixth day of bilateral nuclear negotiations today in Lausanne, Switzerland. Sources initially reported that the German, French, and British foreign ministers would join the U.S. and Iran in Lausanne; however, the German, French, and British teams will now meet with the U.S. in London instead, as the Iranian negotiating team will return to Iran following the death of President Hassan Rouhani’s mother Sakineh Payvandi on March 19. Memorial services will be held on Sunday March 22. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded via his Twitter page to President Barack Obama’s Nowruz [Iranian New Year] message to the Iranian people, stating “the time has come for America and its allies to choose; ‘pressure or agreement.’” Nuclear negotiations will resume on Wednesday, March 25, after the Iranian New Year holiday.

 

Nuclear Talks

  • Zarif: U.S. and allies must “choose: ‘pressure or agreement’" in nuclear negotiations. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded via his Twitter page to President Barack Obama’s Nowruz message to the Iranian people, stating: “The Iranian people have made up their minds; “engage with dignity.” The time has come for America and its allies to choose; ‘Pressure or agreement.’” (YJC)
     
  • Araghchi: negotiations will resume after the Iranian New Year. Abbas Araghchi announced that Iran and members of the P5+1 have been under intensive negotiations over the past few days and negotiations will resume on Wednesday, March 25 after the Iranian New Year holiday. The International and Legal Affairs Deputy to the Foreign Minister added, “Now is the time for further consultation and cooperation so the American and European foreign ministers will meet tomorrow in Berlin.” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that positive negotiations are underway, but “two notable differences remain to be negotiated.” (Mehr News)

 

Official Statements

  • Kowsari: the increase in racist attacks on Muslims indicates the spread of pure Islamic civilization. Parliamentarian Esmail Kowsari expressed his concerns over the inadequate police response to racial crimes in the U.S. and said, “The increase in racist attacks on Muslims are indicative of the spread of pure Islamic civilization, and this was certainly addressed in letter by the Supreme Leader to American and European youth.” The National Security Parliamentary Committee member stated, on the fortieth day since the racially-motivated attacks in Chapel Hill in North Carolina, “Islamic logic does not tolerate racists and as a result of an arrogant spirit and their own self-indulgence, the committed a crime which led to the martyrdom of three young Muslims.” Kothari added that since World War II, every time “people with logic, morality, and reason try to plan their own discourse, they are attacked by arrogance” and claimed that this arrogant thinking will be met by the spread of the Islamic Revolution. (Fars News Agency)
     
  • Mohavedi-Kermani: U.S. doesn’t recognize its own failures in Syria. Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Mohavedi-Kermani addressed American officials, telling them to consider the “reasons for failure in Syria:” “You – Americans- support terrorists and interfere with a legitimate government in Syria; you failed…” Mohavedi-Kermani also said that the U.S. “does not heed its failures and does not wake up.” He noted, “Did Iran not teach you? You supported the Shah of Iran, but were ultimately failed because you did not get advice? Your crimes have elevated cries of “death to America” in this country.” (Mashregh News)
     
  • Naghdi: we must be ready for a decisive battle. In a Rahian Nour commemoration ceremony Head of the Basij Organization IRGC Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naghdi said, “The current young generation should free Jerusalem, and therefore must prepare themselves for a decisive battle.” (Defa Press)

 

Domestic Politics

  • Rouhani’s mother passes away. President Hassan Rouhani’s mother Sakineh Payvandi died at the age of 90 on March 19. She had been hospitalized in Tehran for the past week. Funeral services will be held on Sunday March 22. (Tasnim News Agency)
     
  • Khamenei offers condolences to Rouhani. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences to President Rouhani in a message on the passing of his mother. (Leader.ir)
     
  • Rouhani presents budget for implementation. President Rouhani notified Head of Management and Planning Organization Mohammad Bagher Nobakht to execute the budget. The budget was approved in Parliament on March 15 and approved by the Guardian Council March 16. (Tabnak.ir)

 

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

  • Tehran condemns terrorist attacks targeting Shi’a mosques in Yemen. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham condemned today’s suicide bombings targeting al Houthi mosques in Sana’a and Sa’ada. Afkham pointed to the ongoing political unrest in Yemen and said, “More than any other time, Yemen is need of peace and stability. The enemies of this country plan these blind terrorist actions to create insecurity and instability to achieve their sinister plans.” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
    • Foreign Ministry denounces assassination of al Houthi political official. Marzieh Afkham called the March 18 assassination of Abdul Kareem al Khaiwani in Sana’a an act of terror. Khaiwani was a prominent member of Ansar Allah, the political wing of the al Houthis, and represented the al Houthis in the National Dialogue Conference of Yemen. (IRIB)