Iran News Round Up

A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by Ali Alfoneh, Ahmad Majidyar and Michael Rubin.  To receive this daily newsletter, please subscribe online.
 
(E) = Article in English

Politics

• According to Tehran Governor General, the authorities are planning to relocate Iran’s administrative capital from central Tehran to the city of Parand, southwest of the capital. 
• Veteran businessman and Moetalefeh member Habibollah Asgar-Owladi urges the principled groups not to have more than two candidates for the 2013 presidential election.
• Rafsanjani meeting nongovernmental media representatives urges the government to foster solidarity between all Iranians and "not to increase the tensions in the country.”

Military and Security

• Islamic Republic Navy deputy Gholam-Reza Khadem Bigham discusses Iran's ability to close the Strait of Hormuz on the Arabic language Al-Alam TV:
  • "In the case of a regional war, Iran's reaction is unpredictable and this issue is still unclear to extra-regional powers and the United States... Iran's ability to close the Strait of Hormuz is an issue which will be clarified by time, but what is clear is that the Islamic Republic of Iran has the ability to defend its interests in the region under any circumstances."
  • Asked if the Islamic Republic has a plan ready to close the Strait of Hormuz, Bigham said: "How could the Islamic Republic of Iran be without plans?"
• Mohammad Shariati Dehqan, former cultural attaché at Iran’s Embassy in Damascus admits that the central government in Syria no longer controls major cities such as Aleppo, but dismisses speculations about collapse of Damascus and emergence of an Alawite state within Syria.
• According to Amir Mousavi, former adviser to the defense minister, the Iranian citizens abducted in Syria were pilgrims, contradicting foreign minister Salehi's statements that some of them were retired members of the Islamic Republic Armed Forces.

Economy

• Abrar-e Eqtesadi reports a slight decline in U.S. dollar exchange rate in the Iranian market.

Trade

• According to Kayhan, South Korea is about to resume its oil imports from Iran as the Islamic Republic will be using Iranian registered oil tankers to transport Iranian oil. 

Religion, Society and Culture

• According to Hojjat al-Eslam Mahdavi, the Theological Seminary in Khorasan will offer a "Space Theology" course next year. 

Diplomacy

• [E] Delegates of over 27 world countries as well as envoys of several international bodies participating in the International Conference on Syria in the Iranian capital issued a final statement at the end of their meeting Thursday evening. 
•  [E] The Iranian foreign ministry announced that it will send a delegation to Libya to pursue the fate of the 7 Iranian Red Crescent workers who were abducted in the Eastern city of Benghazi last week.

Photos of the Day

• Sacrificial camel for welcoming Hamid Sourian, Iranian Greco-Roman style wrestler who won a gold medal at London Olympics. 
• Iran’s ambassador to Poland hosts an Iftar gathering for Polish Muslims.