Iran News Roundup - June 6, 2017

Defa Press reported that Fatemeh Zahra Brigade Intelligence Commander Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini died in a mine explosion during a reconnaissance mission in the al Tanf region near the Jordan-Iraq-Syria border on June 4. The Fatemyeh Zahra Brigade is part of the Afghan Shia militia Fatimiyoun Brigade. (Defa Press)

Conservative presidential candidate Hojjat ol Eslam Ebrahim Raisi’s campaign reported that Raisi and Supreme Leader Khamenei held a “private meeting.” Khamenei “praised Raisi’s presence and efforts” in the presidential election during the meeting. It is unclear when the meeting occurred. (Mehr News Agency)

The Rouhani administration is proposing the division of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development into the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the division of the Ministry of Industry, Mining, and Commerce into the Ministry of Industry and Mining and the Ministry of Trade; and, finally, the division of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs into the Ministry of Sports and the National Youth Organization. Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad merged the ministries into their current iterations in 2012. Parliament is scheduled to review the proposal. (Tasnim News Agency)

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei discussed Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump, and Iran’s presidential elections during a speech commemorating the anniversary of the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on June 4.

• On prioritizing revolutionary values: “Against these impudent enemies [Saudi Arabia and the U.S.], Iran is in serious need of the mobilizing power of the Revolution. All the Revolution’s officials and sympathizers must appreciate the values and aspirations in the true sense of the word, and not consign the [Revolution’s] principles and values to oblivion for the sake of short-term goals and fleeting and mundane political developments.”
• Khamenei criticized those who prefer “sensibility” to revolutionary slogans and stated, “True sensibility is in [revolutionary practice]. It is the revolutionary vision that can reveal the realities and truths…” Khamenei stressed the importance of the “spirit, principles, and doctrines of the Revolution and Imam [Khomeini],” and stated, “Do not dismiss [revolutionary practice] as “extremism,” because [revolutionary practice is the genuine need of the country and society.”
• Khamenei described Khomeini’s characterization of the U.S. as “the Great Satan” and “unreliable” and stated, “Now, after three decades, the heads of some European countries admit to such a reality and dub the U.S. unreliable.”
• On Iran’s relationship with the U.S.:  “Sensibility means… reliance upon the people… and trust in God, not approaching the Great Satan again after having been liberated from the clutches of U.S. domination.” He later stated, “The Americans impudently play a new tune every day for the Iranian nation and the [Iranian] officials must consolidate the country against them from every political and economic standpoint. On global issues, a single and strong voice must be heard from the country’s officials.”
• On the elections: “In the campaigns and debates, some remarks were made and misconducts occurred and accusations were leveled against various institutions… [these] were not good actions… bygones are bygones and what took place in the elections must be viewed with tolerance. Those actions [committed during the campaign] must not be repeated.” (Leader.ir) (E)

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghassemi reacted to announcements that the Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, and the interim administration in eastern Libya severed diplomatic relations with Qatar. Ghassemi called on the relevant parties to resolve the conflict “through political and peaceful methods… while exercising restraint.” (Press TV) (E) (Fars News Agency) (Fars News Agency)

• Former IRGC Commander and Expediency Discernment Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei criticized Saudi Arabia for attempting to impose “full guardianship” over Qatar, and for issuing “allegations that have no basis” against Qatar. Rezaei blamed King Salman of Saudi Arabia for “taking the place of Saddam,” and “wanting to devour Bahrain and Qatar.” (Mehr News Agency) (E) (Instagram)
• National Security and Foreign Policy Parliamentary Commission Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi attributed the “emergence of differences” between Qatar and the Gulf states to U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia. Boroujerdi further argued that “the interference of foreign countries, especially the U.S…  cannot help resolve the problems of regional countries.” Hamid Aboutalebi, President Hassan Rouhani’s deputy chief of staff, tweeted, “What is happening is the preliminary result of the sword dance,” a reference to President Donald Trump’s recent meeting in Riyadh. (Fars News Agency) (E) (Reuters)
• Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted, “Neighbors are permanent; geography can’t be changed. Coercion is never the solution. Dialogue is imperative.” Zarif reportedly spoke with his counterparts in Turkey, Iraq, Oman, and Indonesia regarding the issue. (Fars News Agency) (E) (Fars News Agency) (E) (Tasnim News Agency)