Iran News Round Up - September 25, 2013

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

Politics

• Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani praised President Hassan Rouhani’s UN speech and said, “The Iranian nation has provided another confidence-building opportunity to Obama and American officials that can [build] the Iranian nation’s confidence.” He added, “Events of the past few days demonstrate the adherence of the Islamic Iran system and nation to its demands and the Westerners’ retreat, because the Iranian nation’s goals have not changed, and it is possible that the tactics have changed but no one and has the right to back down from the nation’s nuclear rights. We hope that with reasonable behavior of Western countries, the obstacles facing negotiations will be removed.” 
• National Security and Foreign Policy Parliamentary Commission Deputy Chairman MP Mansour Haghighatpour said that relations with America are "not out of reach,” but added, “The Americans must themselves remove the wall of mistrust that they created between Iran and the US sixty years ago and pay a cost from their own pockets so that the Iranian people may be confident in the American’s change in behavior.”
• Senior cleric Grand Ayatollah Naser Marakem Shirazi expressed cautious optimism regarding President Obama’s speech UN yesterday:
  • "From the speeches given at the UN, it seems that the Westerners have shown a green light; we are not hopeless and hope a change emerges in the situation."
  • "The Westerners' good will and honesty must be observed in action; so long as a change in action does not emerge it shows that there is no honesty."
  • "Of course, perhaps the change of the West's position and statements regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran is due to the experiences they have gained and have understood that they must get along with Iran [as] a regional power. But in any case it has been only words so far  and we must await their action." 
• Society of Qom Seminary Teachers member Ayatollah Mohammad Qaravi stated, “When flexibility is observed from this country [US], we possess logic 100% and will demonstrate flexibility against these statements. However, this key point must be considered that this flexibility must be greatness-centered so if it is proved that they are honest in their statement we also take a step forward.”
• Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Morteza Sarmadi spoke on President Obama’s speech to the UN and negotiations with the P5+1, saying “Barack Obama tried to have a more cooperative, more respectful, and softer tone than in the past during his speech yesterday… but what is important in foreign policy is action.” He added, “If the P5+1 respects Iranian nuclear rights based on the NPT, I think that it is possible to imagine arriving at a solution." 
• Parliamentary Principlist Faction leader and father-in-law to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba, Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, reacted to Obama's speech:
  • “Obama’s speech had a different tone.... There were differences seen in some American officials’ statements, which suggests that an image has been created in their minds.”
  •  “In one diplomatic statement, Mr. Rouhani asked the Americans to consider the point: who makes the decisions in the US, Zionist influence groups, or the statesman and nation of America?”
  • “After hearing this tune [of warmongering among US officials], it became clear that these statements were due to the pressure of Zionist influence groups.”
  •  “Mr. Rouhani’s aim with some of his speech last night was to resolve the conflict and dichotomy between those suggesting realism and those suggesting war, and [to assert] that negotiations are the next logical step.”
  •  “There is unity between all officials. If there is a difference in views, it is connected to internal issues, as we all share the same view on external issues.”
  •  “In his speech last night, Mr. Rouhani gave no statements based on surrendering or disregarding the nation’s rights.”
  • On Obama recognizing Iran’s rights to peaceful nuclear energy: “We hope that this occurs, and if a few things happen, we will welcome it.”
  •  “Of course they [Iran’s presidential elections] were influential [on Obama’s stances]. When they saw a mature country in the stormy sea of the region that, regardless of sanctions and economic pressure, held completely peaceful elections without seeing any blood spilled, it was a positive occurrence in Iran.”
  • “Iran’s message to the enemies [in the election results] has been that we speak rationally, so we will speak rationally to you.”

Regional Developments

• Baghdad Shi'a Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat al-Eslam Sheikh Jalaleddin al-Qassir praised Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Suleimani and said, "Perhaps you may not know Mr. Qassem Suleimani but I and others know him very well.... When I was due for angioplastic heart surgery in a Tehran hospital, he came to visit me [when I had no expectations of him to do so]." He added, "If there is any fear in the Israelis' hearts, Qassem Suleimani is its cause. If America has faced problems in the region, know that Qassem Suleimani is the cause; if any problems have been created for the House of Saud, know that Qassem Suleimani has had a hand in it. Therefore, know why they have implemented this war against Qassem Suleimani. Know that Qassem Suleimani is a spear that lands in Israel's hearts and we are proud that there is a leader like him among the current global Shi'a leaders." Al-Qassir reportedly attended the recent funeral ceremony of Suleimani's mother in Tehran.
• The Bahrain Rebellion Movement urged the Bahraini people to participate in an "unprecedented" protest this Friday. 

Diplomacy

• President Hassan Rouhani met with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and expressed hope for improving relations and removing sanctions. Minister Westerwelle reportedly welcomed Rouhani’s “constructive approach” and said that “Germany has sought reducing sanctions, and we seek a political and diplomatic solution to this matter.”
• Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with his counterparts from Russia, Germany, Bahrain and Burundi to discuss bilateral relations and the latest international developments. 
• Supreme National Security Council Secretary Maj. Gen. Ali Shamkhani met with Iraqi Defense Minister Sadoun al-Dalimi and stated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq are placed in one trench today and can take steps to resolve international and regional issues with each other’s help.”

Military and Security

• Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff MG Hassan Firouzabadi reacted to President Rouhani’s speech in the UN, saying “Once again the Shi’a spiritual rationality, in the form of Iran’s president, shone in the UN”:
  • “Mr. President showed the sincere, revolutionary, valid, and strong stances of the nation of Iran to the world.”
  • “The words of our dear president also had an internal message, in which he said ‘we must not only tolerate our opponents, we must work with them.’”
  • “With this political wisdom, Mr. Rouhani put the Reformist slogans behind, and opened new ways of solidarity, spirit, and national cooperation.”
  • “Today, the global political field examined a politician infused with the wisdom of a religious scholar.”
  • “The world’s elite seek escape from their problems in the Iranian-Islamic framework, and this is a national honor for us.”
• IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari stated, “There are deficiencies in cultural and economic fields that will be resolved with the effort of officials and the people in the year of the political epic, because the majority of our people have chosen the path of supporting Islam and the Islamic system and will defend the system’s values.”
• Senior MIlitary Advisor to the Supreme Leader Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi welcomed President Obama’s speech and praised President Rouhani, but expressed skepticism about the US:
  • "It seems that the Americans have accepted the truth that Iran is a strong and stable country in the region that obeys logical and intelligent methods in confronting its enemies."
  • "For the first time, Mr. Obama announced as America's President that 'we do not want regime change in Iran and respect the Iranian people's rights to access peaceful nuclear energy' and this matter proved Iran's right."
  • "Of course, Obama's speech had negative positions, too, like saying current situations only deepen Iran's isolation and Iran must choose another way for the region and the world. These statements were biting."
  • "Mr. Hojjat al-Eslam Rouhani also was very intelligent in his speech. He defended Iran's rights well against violence and extremism and also regarding Iran's red lines for accessing nuclear energy."
  • “What political officials at America’s highest level stated to create instability and support groups that pursue social unrest in Iran [1999 student protest and 2009 post-elections protests] are unforgettable. They implemented a media war against our national security.”
  • “We hope that the Americans let go of their intransigence with Iran and become less affected by the Zionist lobby. The Zionists prefer their own interests to America’s interest; therefore, we advise the American government to not listen to the Zionists’ word regarding Iran and not sacrifice themselves, their nation, and their interests for the Zionists’ lobby and their interests and not confront the Islamic world with 1.5 billion Muslims.”
  •  “Mr. Rouhani can perform well in this diplomatic arena. Mr. [Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad] Zarif is an intelligent and trustworthy individual as Foreign Minister who knows American’s literature well and can pursue good positions against Mr. John Kerry.”
• Intelligence Minister Hojjat al-Eslam Mahmoud Alavi announced the continuation of releasing political prisoners and said, “God willing, we hope to receive good news regarding this on Eid al-Ghadir [October 22, 2013].” 
• Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) Commander Brig. Gen. Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam discussed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s “heroic flexibility” speech and said, “Some should not misinterpret this Supreme Leader speech, these statements are from a position of power.” Regarding President Rouhani’s pledge to reduce LEF brutality with hejab laws, he said, “Alongside economic priorities that has brought hope back to life in the people’s heart at the beginning of the Eleventh Administration, the President’s special view toward the matter of chastity and hejab is commendable.” 

Economy

• The Tehran Stock Exchange increased by 0.7% after Rouhani’s UN speech yesterday. 
• Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh has issued three natural gas related orders to increase Iranian natural gas production, expand the Southern Pars gas fields and surpass Qatar's natural gas production levels. 
• Following Rouhani’s statements in the UN on improving economic and political relations, there was speculation regarding a shared Chamber of Commerce or a Joint Council for Commerce between Iran and the US. Iran’s Chamber of Commerce members discussed the possibility, and its Undersecretary, Ali Akbar Javidan, said, “If America has a view in line with and respectful of Iranian standards, then there is hope for the creation of economic relations between the two countries…. If basic interactions come to fruition, steps to form a Council for Commerce between the two countries could occur."

 Photo of the Day

• Iraqi Defense Minister Sadoun al-Dulaimi meets with Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani in Tehran.