Iran News Round Up - March 22, 2017

Economic and Finance Minister Ali Tayyeb Nia stated, “Despite some difficulties and obstacles, all transferable state-owned companies will be transferred to the private sector” within the next year. Tayyebnia acknowledged that opposition from some of the companies’ managers could prove an obstacle to the privatization process. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ordered the Iranian government to embark upon a large-scale privatization effort in 2006. (Mehr News Agency) (E)

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during a press conference on March 20. He warned that if the U.S. “creates a situation” such that the continued implementation of the JCPOA would be “against Tehran’s national interest,” Iran is “completely ready” to return “to the situation it had prior to the JCPOA even more powerful than before.” Zarif also stressed that as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has stated, “Iran is committed to the promises it has made and is not to break them.” (Fars News Agency) (E) (Tasnim News Agency)

Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, claimed that “corruption” in Iran is not “systemic” in the sense that all “elements of power” are corrupt during an interview with conservative newspaper Jaam-e Jam. Larijani did concede, however, that some degree of “administrative corruption” may exist but is hard to discover. (Jaam-e Jam)

Ebrahim Raisi, the head of the Astan Quds Razavi Foundation, discussed job creation and the economy during a speech on March 21 at the Imam Reza Shrine. He stated that the foundation’s economic activity must be focused on “relief,” and noted that the foundation has “been planning for production and employment” in this regard. Raisi stated, “We hope to orient towards the original version of the Resistance Economy especially in the next year.” Raisi stated that the foundation seeks to create 1,000 new jobs. The foundation is responsible for managing the Imam Reza Shrine, at which Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei also gave a speech on March 21. (Tasnim News Agency)

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei discussed the economy during his annual address at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad on March 21.

• “Today, the Iranian nation’s priority is the economic issue. Note that the enemy’s priority is also the economic issue.” He continued, “Today, the Islamic Republic’s enemies are looking for economic measures… in order to realize their own goals against Iran and Iranians and the Islamic Republic.”  
• “The enemy’s goal is… to put distance between the people and the Islamic system by means of economic pressure… the enemy [uses] widespread propaganda to attempt to attribute the country’s livelihood and economic shortcomings to the Islamic system and the Islamic Republic of Iran… They want to pretend that the Islamic system is unable to resolve the Iranian nation’s economic problems and political problems.”
• “I advise - I demand - a reliance on domestic production. If we are able to boost our domestic production, employment would arise… It is a shame that [everything from] women’s bags and shoes to offices and pens come from abroad. [We should] not continue in this way… Importing goods which can be produced domestically should be recognized religiously and legally as haram [forbidden].”
• “I received a report from government officials that unfortunately, the majority of our country’s exports and major business transactions are with 5-6 countries. This is wrong.”
• “Despite the economic difficulties the country experienced” over the last year, the Iranian nation demonstrated its religious dedication, especially during Ramadan, and provided a “dazzling show of commitment to the Revolutionary ideals,” especially in the February 10 rallies marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Khamenei underscored that there is a “general solidarity and unity” in this regard within Iran “despite the differences and rifts.”  Khamenei stressed that “this year, the Iranian nation must demonstrate their national unity.”
• On the elections: Khamenei also stressed the importance of high turnout in the forthcoming elections and of accepting the elections’ results. He stated, “I do not interfere in elections, and never tell people who to choose or not choose… I  will stand up to anyone who wants to stand against the results of the nation’s vote. In previous years it has been this way. Some people were informed and some were not - I stood against all those who wanted to stand up against the people’s vote.” (Tasnim News Agency)