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

• Sadollah Zarei, a Kayhan editorial board member and a former member of the Revolutionary Guards, says Iran's military presence in Syria is both "truth" and "lie":
  • "About commander Hajj Qassem Suleimani everyone saw that he was present in good health at a meeting with the Leader. On the other hand, some statements about Iran's presence in Syria are true. Whenever needed, we have used our capabilities to help the people of Syria. However, it is a lie, because deploying forces, equipment and so forth has not yet been deemed necessary..."
• Raja News discusses the role of Assef Shawkat, who was killed in the Damascus bombing:
  • "Showkat was responsible for transporting long range missile launchers and anti missile equipment made in Russia and China into Lebanon... Showkat played an important role in rebuilding the military strength of the resistance forces in Palestine and Gaza... Showkat supervised the training of elite military forces in Palestine and Gaza, particularly the Salaheddin brigade... Showkat was the comrade in arms of Imad Mughniyah, the martyred commander of the Islamic resistance in Lebanon and instructed the leaders of the Palestinian resistance in Syria. Some of these individuals received training in Lebanon." 
• Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast expresses "grief" about the recent conflict in Badakhshan in Tajikistan, in which several people have been killed, including the regional security chief.  
  • Iranian analyst Shoeib Bahman says Tajikistan is only a few steps away from a civil war.
  • Tabnak warns against Iran "losing" Tajikistan.
• Assadollah Badamchian, former Moetalefeh parliamentary faction member, says he could not win a seat in parliament because of the Revolutionary Guards’ intervention in elections. 
  • Raja News slams Badamchian's statements.
  • So does Shafaf News.
  • The Student Basij says it will not allow anyone to tarnish the image of the Guards. 
  • Moetalefeh writes that Badamchian has never made any accusations against the Guards.
  • In an interview with Fars News, Badamchian stresses: "The Guards, the armed forces and the state institutions have not had any intervention in the parliamentary elections."

Trade

• Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses university students and researchers:
  • "Resistance economics is not a slogan but a reality..."
• According to Tabnak, because of the sanctions against Iran, the level of Iranian investments in the construction sector in Dubai during the last six months is $408 million less than the first six months of 2011. Tabnak adds that Iranian investments are finding their way to countries such as Malaysia.
• [E] Ahmadinejad underlined the world states' growing enthusiasm for investment in Iran's oil sector, and said investment in Iran's oil and gas industry has now surpassed $7bln.
• [E] Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi stressed that the country's oil industry is in a good status irrespective of the sanctions, and announced that Tehran plans to become one of the largest exporters of oil products in the region by the next three years. 
• [E] Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Mahmoud Bahmani announced that the CBI has set up a headquarters for asymmetric economic war against enemies' financial plots, including the sanctions.

Photos of the Day

• Lines to buy chicken in Bandar Abbas.