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 subscribe to this daily newsletter, e-mail [email protected].

(E) = Article in English

Diplomacy

• Academic Ebrahim Fayyaz publishes a book called Nazariyyeh-ye Abarghodrati-ye Iran [Theory on the Superpower of Iran].

• Senior presidential advisor Hamid Mowlana publishes the book Az Bazargan Ta Ahmadinejad [From Bazargan To Ahmadinejad] discussing foreign policy of the Islamic Republic.

• Nowandish News, quoting the BBC, reports a handshake between Richard Holbrooke and Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Mehdi Akhoundzadeh. The Iranian and U.S. delegations are also reported to have held a brief meeting.

  • (E) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urges direct US-Iran talks over the nuclear issue.

  • (E) Germany hails Iran’s presence at the Afghanistan Conference in The Hague as “a welcoming signal.”

• Arab League reiterates its support for the United Arab Emirate’s claim on disputed islands in the Persian Gulf. 

Politics

• Former Interior Minister Abdollah Nouri will run for President. 

  • Atrianfar, Hojjati, Khorram, Leylaz, Teyebani and Nili will act as his campaign officers after the official declaration of his candidacy. 

Military and Security

• Iran to assemble Tupolev planes. 

  • (E) Iran and Russia agree to a joint project to build 100 Tupolev passenger airplanes in Iran.

Human Rights and Labor

• Members of Office of Consolidation of Unity meet family members of imprisoned student activist Abbas Hakimzadeh of whom the family has no news. 

Nuclear Issue

• (E) Many Western countries are no longer supporting more sanctions against Iran

• (E) US, Russia agree to urge Iran to abide by UN Security Council resolutions.

Trade

• (E) Iran plans to construct a joint oil refinery in the Syria as both countries are determined to expand cooperation in energy

• (E) Iranian Oil Ministry unveils new route for gas pipeline to Europe

Photo of the Day

• Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez.