Iran News Round Up

A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by Ali Alfoneh, Katherine Faley, Ahmad Majidyar and Michael Rubin.  To subscribe to this daily newsletter, e-mail [email protected].

 (E) = Article in English

Due to the election in Iran, we have provided a second news roundup today to provide an update on the fast-breaking events.

Polls close in Iran; Interior Ministry expects participation from 70 percent of the eligible population; Mousavi leads in his home province of West Azerbaijan while Ahmadinejad leads in Lorestan province; turnout increases among expatriates and Tehran residents; shortage of election forms occurs and some claim the shortage was premeditated to reduce election participation; Khamenei criticizes those who accuse him of supporting Ahmadinejad; and Mousavi campaign headquarters attacked by unknown elements.

Presidential election: General

• (E) The Ministry of Interior stated that, with over 5 million Iranians voting before noon Friday, it expected 70 percent of the eligible population to vote.
• (E) The Ministry of Interior extended polling until 10 PM due to such high voter turnout.
• (E) Supreme Leader Khamanei encouraged all Iranians to take part in the election, after casting his own ballot, stating: “I call on all Iranians to exercise their right by casting their votes and to play their role in determining the highest level of the country's management, which is their religious and rational duty.”
• (E) To ensure security during the election, Iran’s law enforcement launched Operation Sovereignty in Tehran at 5 PM; it will last until the voting count ends.
• (E) All political gatherings and campaign activities banned on Friday.
• (E) Ayatollah Jannati stated that “no major problem has been reported since the opening of the polls this morning,” except from some “isolated incidents.
• (E) Ayatollah Mohammad Emami-Kashani commented on the purpose of high voter turnout, stating that “the enemy has focused on the election because it wants to find an excuse to downplay the Iranian nation's participation in the election… so a massive turnout in the elections is a response to the enemy and will serve Islam.”
• (E) Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council Rafsanjani called the election “among the most important and epoch-making events in the history of Iran” because “After this election, Iran will be able to increase its influence on the international arena.”
• (E) Deputy Spokesman for US State Department Ian Kelly commented on the Iranian election, stating: "We [the US] are watching this political process very closely. We wish the Iranian people success,” but refusedto remark on his favorite candidate.
• (E) Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki asserted that the foundation of Iran’s foreign policy will not change regardless of the election results, stating: “Different governments choose different approaches regarding Iran's foreign policy but these principles will not change.”
• According to Fars News, preliminary count shows Mousavi leading in West Azerbaijan province.
  • Also according to Fars News, preliminary count shows significant Ahmadinejad lead in Lorestan province.
• The Guardian Council says election participation is as high as 70 percent.
• Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says there is "300 percent increase" in election participation of expatriate Iranians.
• Guardian Council Spokesman Kadkhodayi says there is 50 percent increase in election participation in Tehran.
  • One West Tehran ballot declared void.
• Rafsanjani's wife says if Mousavi does win it is due to fraud. (link upon request)
• Following shortage of voting forms ,the Mousavi campaign asks the people not to return home before voting.
  • Shahab News claims the shortage of forms was premeditated and aimed at reducing election participation.
• The polls closed all over Iran at 10 pm.
• Comments made at the ballot box:
  • Supreme Leader Khamanei casting his vote says "rumors made about me [ed. about support for Ahmadinejad and a harsh response to Rafsanjani's complains ] is the work of untrustworthy people...the people should not pay attention to rumors." Khamanei adds: As always what I want from the people is that they, from this very morning, should go to the ballots and vote according to their personal conviction and play their role in choosing the supreme administration of the country. This is a right and simultaneously a duty. It is the right of our people to make their opinion known and it is also their duty. Also, according to my belief this is both a religious and rational duty to do so...During the past days and even at nights I have been informed that the people were present in the streets and the people chanted slogans as they pleased. But maturity and awareness of the people did not allow any bitter occurrences. This in reality showed that the people are in the arena, express their happiness and enthusiasm but also show their maturity, also mental maturity...We have had elections for the past thirty years and thanks God the elections have always been secure which is a great blessing thanks to divine insight and level of knowledge of the people. Also, today I both hope and beg for that the masses of the people pay attention and be present in such a way that the security, along with their own calmness, dignity and spiritual consolation is preserved. Should anyone, any ill wisher should want to make any tension at the ballot this tension would be detrimental to the people and the popular vote. The people should with their dignity and respect and with patience see to it that the hopes of the ill wishers are not realized...Yesterday and last night I saw that that there were many SMSs sent to the people and certain rumors made about me that are absolute lies. It was not real. It is not well-wishing people and healthy people who do such things. This is the deed of unhealthy people who may be present in every group and assemblies and groups. But the people should not pay attention to such rumors. It is also possible that this kind of rumors are distributed among different segments of the population. We trust first and last in benevolence of God and divine assistance. We pray to God and ask for assistance and we also trust in awareness of the people and their intelligence..." Aftab News also stresses there has not been any "conflict" between Rafsanjani and the Supreme Leader.
    • Office of the Supreme Leader refutes rumors of Khamenei answering Rafsanjani's letter of complain against Ahmadinejad.
    • Emtedad-e Mehr News Agency ridicules Rafsanjani's letter to Khamenei and asks what has become of the money the Rafsanjani clan made on the STATOIL contract.
  • Alef News Agency publishes the latest statistics on number of eligible voters in each province.
  • According to Interior Minister Mahsouli, four million Iranians have cast their votes during the first three hours of the election.
  • Parliamentarian Alireza Zakani: "Those already defeated in the presidential election are using the issue of 'The Committee for Defense of the Vote' as a banner behind which they can hide after defeat."
  • Dissident Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri votes for the first time in twenty years. 
  • As Rafsanjani casts his vote, he says there is nothing more important than protecting the vote: "This time the election is much more sensitive than ever before." 
  • Former President Mohammad Khatami says "all signs point at a Mousavi victory."
  • Former Vice President Mohammad-Ali Abtahi urges the Iranians to vote and become masters of their own destiny.
  • Parliamentarian Yousevnezhad says high voter turnout is more important than who gets elected.
• SMS service shut down all over Iran.

Presidential Elections: Karrubi

• (E) Karrubi stated: “We should all respect the people's decision and support the elected president” and “If I am not elected this turn, I will vigorously continue my activities in my party.”

Presidential Elections: Rezai

• (E) Rezai urged the nation to unite and work together, regardless of the results of the president election.

Presidential Elections: Mousavi

• (E) Commenting on the election, Mousavi stated that “the nation's presence was in fact a miracle. Seeing the nation stand united is a golden opportunity and not a threat” yet still urged the government to act justly and ensure freedom of information.

Military and security

• Raja News warns of street clashes by "hooligans in the Mousavi campaign." (link upon request)
• Mousavi's campaign headquarters in Qeytarriyeh in Northern Tehran, which hosted 500 Tehran youth, is attacked by unknown elements armed with tear gas.
  • Raja News reports of a "center of planning street clashes in Qeytarriyeh." (link upon request)

Nuclear Issue

• (E) Senator John Kerry voiced his support for Iran’s right to enrich uranium, as outlined under the NPT, calling international demands that Iran stop such enrichment “ridiculous.”