Iran News Round Up - June 12, 2015

A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by AEI Critical Threats Project Iran Analysts Mehrdad Moarefian, Marie Donovan, Paul Bucala, with contributors Ryan Melvin and Mondona Salahshoor.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.

Key takeaway: IRGC Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghani highlighted new forms of regional “enemies of Islam.”  

IRGC Qods Force Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghani stated that Islam’s “enemies” have taken new forms in the region; he stressed that “whatever names these enemies might have” they are still the “soldiers of Zionism.” Ghani’s comments reflect the regime’s perception of ISIS as an ideological threat to Iran’s position in the region as the leader of the Islamic world.

At the Second Congress on Sustainable Security, Chief Prosecutor Hojjat al Eslam Ebrahim Raisi stated that “…the people of the region’s ‘resistance’ to [the West’s] oppression is a strategic extension of the Islamic Republic.” Raisi’s statements echo the regime’s long standing efforts to export its foundational ideas such as ideological and economic ‘resistance’ to the West.

AEI Resident Fellow J. Matthew McInnis analyzes the recent arrest of former vice president Hamid Baghaei, Supreme Leader Khamenei’s comments from the regime’s commemoration of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei’s death, and Iran’s economic and regional challenges in his most recent blog post, “Can arresting another former vice president help save Iran from itself?"

Official Statements

• Yazdi: Supreme Leader and the nation support the Iranian negotiators. Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi emphasized the widespread support of the Supreme Leader, nation, and government for the Iranian nuclear negotiating team. The Assembly of Experts Chairman criticized the West for violating previous agreements by making excessive demands in the final phase of the P5+1 talks. Yazdi stated: “Iran's redlines… should be fully observed as underlined by the [Supreme] Leader, who had said the talks should continue; but all should understand that Iran will not stop its research and development activities…under any circumstances.” (YJC) w.yjc.ir/fa/news/5228897/%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%AC%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF
   
• Ghani: U.S. and its allies support terrorists in the region. IRGC Qods Force Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghani blamed the U.S. and its regional allies, specifically Israel for exacerbating regional crises by supporting ISIS and other terrorist groups. Ghani said that “whatever names these enemies might have” they are still the “soldiers of Zionism.” (Sepah News) http://www(.)sepahnews.com/shownews.Aspx?ID=95db0331-937a-4f47-b183-78fa80498482
   
• Raisi highlights regional dissemination of the Islamic Republic’s ideas on ‘resistance’ to the West. On June 10 at the Second Congress on Sustainable Security, Chief Prosecutor Hojjat al Eslam Ebrahim Raisi stated, “…the people of the region’s ‘resistance’ to [the West’s] oppression is a strategic extension of the Islamic Republic.” (Sepah News) http:/ww.sepahnews.com/shownews.aspx?id=7d2005d0-a932-423d-aa71-923653b8ca63

 

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Rouhani calls for enhanced relations with Russia. President Hassan Rouhani issued a congratulatory message to the Russian Federation and President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of Russia Day on June 12. Rouhani expressed hope in strengthening Tehran-Moscow relations in various fields of mutual interest. Rouhani stated: “I believe the current situation in the region and the world has necessitated all-out cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, now more than ever.” (President.ir) htt:/president.ir/fa/87548
   
• Hadi al Amiri and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis attend mourning ceremony for Asafi. Head of Badr Organization Hadi al Amiri and Deputy Chairman of the Popular Mobilization Committee Abu Mahdi al Mohandis attended a mourning ceremony for Ahl al Bayt World Assembly member Ayatollah Mohammed Mahdi al Asafi in Baghdad. Head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq Ammar al Hakim was also present. (ABNA) http://fa.abna24(.)co/service/pictorial/archive/2015/06/12/689189/story.htm
   
• Mexican officials will meet counterparts in Tehran. Gabriela Cuevas Barrón will head the delegation of Mexican senators to meet with Iranian lawmakers to discuss closer ties. This meeting will follow the Mexican Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee Chairwoman’s July 2014 visit to Iran, where she called for an increase of economic, cultural, and scientific relations between the two countries. (Tasnim News Agency) (E) http://www(.)tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/767249

 

Nuclear Talks

• Nuclear talks conclude as bilateral negotiations begin. Abbas Araghchi and Majid Tahkt Ravanchi began deputy-level meetings with their French, British, and German counterparts as full talks with the P5+1 concluded. (IRNA) (E) http://www(.)irna.ir/en/News/81643271/
   
• Najafi: Claims about Iranian nuclear activities are based on U.S. intelligence agencies’ forged evidence. Reza Najafi told reporters that claim about unsanctioned activities in Marivan were based on faked documents by American intelligence agencies. The Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reiterated Iran’s open invitation for IAEA inspectors to visit the nuclear site, but the organization has yet to respond. In separate remarks, Najafi stated that the IAEA has not presented any authentic documents to corroborate the Marivan claims. (IRNA)(E) http://w(.0irna.ir/en/News/81643102/
   
• Baeidinejad comments on negotiations.The Foreign Ministry’s Director for Political and International Affairs Hamid Baeidinejad wrote on his Instagram page that after two days of internal investigations and review all negotiating teams have agreed to move forward with the negotiations. (ISNA) http:/isna.ir/fa/news/94032212463/%D8%A8%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%86%DA%98%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%84-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%81-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B9

 

 

Military and Security

• Artesh Khatam ol-Anbia Air Base holds air defense drills in eastern region.  Artesh Khatam ol-Anbia Air Base Commander Brig. Gen. Amir Farzad Esmaili announced that air defense units had successfully performed in the drill. Esmaili also personally inspected many guard posts and radar sites in the eastern region and was present at the unveiling of a new maintenance center for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. (Tasnim News Agency) http://w(.)tasnimnews.com/Home/Single/767092
   
• Pourdastan discusses forthcoming Artesh Ground Forces exercises. Artesh Ground Forces Commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Reza Pourdastan stated on June 9 that the Artesh Ground Forces will be holding “several exercises in the west, southwest, and eastern” parts of the country. He noted that the exact times of the exercises would be announced at a later date. (Defa Press) http://w(.)defapress.ir/Fa/News/47984