Iran News Round Up - June 2, 2017

Safir Hossein Mohammadi was buried in Savojbolagh County, Alborz Province, on June 1. He was killed “in the last year” in the Iranian calendar [March 2016-March 2017]. His body was recently discovered in Aleppo. (IRNA)

Iran’s Social Security Investment Company signed $100 million worth of contracts with several Turkish firms to implement construction projects and modernization of Arvandan Shipbuilding’s facilities. (Mehr News Agency) (E) (ISNA)

Parliamentarians re-elected Ali Larijani as parliament speaker during an internal vote on May 31. The also re-elected Ali Motahari and Massoud Pezeshkian as first and second deputy parliament speakers, respectively. (Fars News Agency) (E)

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghassemi rejected the claim by former parliamentarian Mahmoud Nabavian that Iran would extradite IRGC Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani to the U.S. in exchange for the removal of banking sanctions. Ghassemi stated, “the extradition of convicts is a bilateral agreement between two countries and the Islamic Republic does not have and will never have such an agreement with the U.S.” (ISNA)

• Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also called the allegation of such a deal as “shameful” and warned Nabavian to apologize. (ISNA)

Ali Larijani stated, “It should not be allowed for the media to simply be shut down” during a meeting with members of the media. Larijani also called for the creation of “regulations” regarding the closure of media outlets and the filtering of websites. He stated, “If necessary, the Parliament will follow up” on the issue of such regulations. Larijani also suggested that his brother, Judiciary Head Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani, “meet with the press.” Ali Larijani stated, “Certainly, such meetings will be useful.” (Asr Iran)

Judiciary Spokesman Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei responded to Rouhani administration spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht and Judiciary Head Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani’s comments regarding the release of imprisoned 2009 Green Movement leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi, and Zahra Rahnavard.

• On May 29, Ayatollah Larijani referred to President Hassan Rouhani’s re-election campaign and stated that some of the stances of certain presidential candidates, such as the call for the release of the Green Movement leaders, were “contrary to national security.” Larijani addressed Rouhani and stated, “Who are you to lift the house arrests?” Larijani stressed that the Supreme National Security Council has already “made a decision” regarding their situation. Larijani continued, “Therefore, we warn the media and those” who are repeating these issues and “imposing pressure, to stop this lest the Judiciary itself step in to put a firm halt to this.” Larijani stated, “Suppose the Supreme National Security Council departs from its decision [and lifts the house arrest of the Green Movement leaders]. The Judiciary will then begin [preparing] for a trial.” (Radio Farda) (E) (al Monitor) (E) (Kayhan) (ILNA)
• Nobakht responded to Larijani on May 30. He stated that power is split between the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government, and stressed, “the president is the head of the executive branch and is responsible for the implementation of the Constitution, and utilizes his authority.” Nobakht also stated, “I recommend that if the esteemed heads wish to speak [on these issues,] they should address [them] at meetings. One of these [meetings] is that of the Supreme National Security Council, of which the Judiciary head is a member. If he participates in this meeting, he can discuss [these issues] there.” (Radio Farda)
• Ejei responded to Nobakht on May 31. Ejei stated, “As long as the Supreme National Security Council’s vote remains in this regard, no one can have input… No one can do anything with populist measures. We recommend to Mr. Nobahkt that he advise the gentlemen to discuss these things in their place.” (Radio Farda)