Iran News Round Up – March 3, 2017

IRGC Quds Force Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghani praised the Afghan Shia militia Fatimiyoun Brigade’s efforts in the Syrian crisis during a memorial ceremony for Fatimiyoun Brigade members killed in Iraq and Syria. He stated, “When the Fatimiyoun [Brigade] set foot in Syria, its streets were in America’s hands. Today… [the Fatimiyoun] have slapped America on the mouth. [America] would never have come to the negotiations if it weren’t for [the Fatimiyoun’s] strength on the field.” Ghani praised the Fatimiyoun as “brave men who know no limits or borders in the defense of Islamic values.” (Tasnim News Agency)

Iran summoned Danish Ambassador to Iran Danny Annan following a March 1 attack by six “hostile” individuals on the Iranian embassy in Copenhagen. Six Iranian nationals, including four who sought asylum in Sweden, conducted a “similar” attack on January 19. They reportedly climbed the fence surrounding the embassy and posted banners with anti-regime sentiments. Iran summoned Annan following the first attack as well. Danish authorities also arrested six individuals in connection with the January 19 attack. (Press TV) (E) (ABNA) (E)

Hamid Mohammadi, an official from Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, noted that Saudi and Iranian officials have made some progress during recent talks regarding the 2017 Hajj. Iranian pilgrims did not attend the 2016 Hajj pilgrimage after Iran and Saudi Arabia were unable to agree on terms to ensure the safety and travel arrangements of Iranian pilgrims. (Tasnim News Agency) (E) (IRIB)

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghassemi criticized a recent joint Saudi Arabia-Malaysia statement expressing concern at “Iranian interference in the internal affairs of countries in the region.” The statement was released at the end of Saudi King Salman’s visit to Kuala Lumpur. Ghassemi warned Malaysia that its actions are part of “Zionist circles’” larger effort to “target the unity of the Islamic world” and “will not contribute to the growing trend” of improving Iran-Malaysian relations. (Fars News Agency)

Guardian Council Spokesman Abbasali Kadkhodei stated that the Guardian Council will convene in an extraordinary meeting next week to finish reviewing the 6th Five-Year Development Plan, a document intended to guide government policy and to frame the annual budgetary process over the next five years. Iran was forced last year to extend the 5th Five-Year Development plan until the end of the current Iranian year (approximately March 20, 2017) due to repeated delays. (Tasnim News Agency)

Lotfollah Forouzandeh, the secretary of the Popular Front of Islamic Revolution Forces’ Central Committee’s Board of Directors, discussed the organization’s origin and goals during an interview with Tasnim News Agency. The Popular Front is a coalition of conservative groups formed in December 2016 with the goal of presenting a conservative candidate to challenge President Hassan Rouhani in the May 2017 presidential elections. Forouzandeh stated that “the people’s demands,” especially unemployment, “caused the formation of the Popular Front.” Forouzandeh called Iran’s executive branch “dysfunctional,” and claimed that the people “have not seen a clear plan” to solve unemployment. Forouzandeh stated that the problem of unemployment “can be solved” by leveraging Iran’s domestic capabilities.  

• Forouzandeh also addressed the conservatives’ perennial struggle to unify in Iran’s elections. Forouzandeh stressed that the Popular Front is not simply a principlist organization, and that “every person whose heart lies with the preservation of [the Islamic Republic’s] political system and promotion of the cultural of revolution can be a member of the front.” Forouzandeh stressed that “people from the lowest class” are part of the Popular Front’s “decision-making” paradigm.”
• The Front released a statement praising the turnout at its convention last week. The statement read, “Today is the day” to forget “egos and selfishness” and to “sacrifice” and “follow the path of cohesion and unity.” (Tasnim News Agency) (Tasnim News Agency)