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

Military and Security

• Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi says Iran will display its cruise missile project during February's celebration of the Revolution Day. 
• Shia News releases a short report discussing uprising in Bahrain and tactics used against the central government. 
• According to Press TV, five Iranian citizens abducted in Syria have been transferred to Northern Lebanon, where they are held in captivity. 
• [E] The Iranian Defense Ministry unveiled the country's first home-made laser-guided smart munitions in a ceremony in Tehran on Monday. 

Economy

• The Central Bank increases interest rates to stabilize the currency. 
• Asr-e Iran slams the government's inability to stabilize the Iranian currency. 
• A group of factory workers demonstrate in front of the General Governorate of Razavi Khorasan protesting against not being paid for 18 months. 
• [E] A prominent member of the Iranian parliament underlined the positive outcomes of the European Union's ban on Iranian oil supplies, and said the embargo will help Iranian economy end its dependence on oil revenues. 

Trade

• Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi says Iran will stop oil exports to "certain countries." 
• The parliament finalizes the law stopping oil exports to the European Union. 
• Oman’s oil minister promises to satisfy Sri Lanka's oil needs in case of embargo against Iran's oil.
  • Ali Adyani, parliamentary Energy Committee member, says the plan to stop oil exports to the European Union has been suspended as it needs to be analyzed by experts prior to its implementation. 

Diplomacy

• [E] Supreme Leader Khamenei voiced confidence about the Muslim nations' growing power, but at the same time urged the Islamic nations to keep vigilant against the attempts made by the enemies to hijack the Muslim uprisings. 

Iran in the Afghan Media

• Iran signs economic cooperation agreement with Afghanistan. 

Photo of the Day

• Dante's Divine Comedy: Inferno