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

Politics

• Rafsanjani says freedom of speech would have "great blessings for the regime."
• Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, temporary Tehran Friday prayer leader, comments on Ahmadinejad's interview with Christiane Amanpour: "This interview with that lady with the situation and past record of hers displeased me and I do not approve of it.... What was the necessity of having that interview... Some of the statements made in that interview are not approved of."
• Mehdi Khazali, son of Ayatollah Khazali, is arrested on charges of "propagating against the regime and disturbing the public mind."
• Ali Shakouri-Rad, Participation Front activist, is arrested.
• Jafar Dowlatabadi, Tehran prosecutor general, says Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani will be arrested as soon as he enters Iran.
• Hojjat al-Esslam Mahmoud Saidi, Qom Friday prayer leader, says the people of the city will "demonstrate their love for the Imam of the Era when welcoming the Supreme Leader to Qom" because Ayatollah Khamenei is "the Imam of the Era's Vice Regent."

Diplomacy

• Ahmadinejad addresses the crowds in Lebanon:
  • "Any resistance towards this legal demand [9/11] means that the events of 9/11 were planned with the aim of occupying and countering the nations. I recommend the occupiers of Afghanistan and Iraq to leave the region, ask for forgiveness and pay reparation..."
  • "In Lebanon, the imperialists cowardly assassinate a friend and patriotic and by forging the news and through abuse of the United Nations, through sedition and discord, they accuse other friends."
• Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah: "Iran wants a Lebanon for the Lebanese... We are proud of our deep belief in guardianship of the jurist. The just, wise and brave guardian jurist."
• Sheikh Sobhi Tofeili, Hezbollah founding father and former Hezbollah general secretary: "Not even the Shah did what is being done today with the scholars, the households of the theologians and sources of emulation."
• Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, temporary Tehran Friday prayer leader: "The only country which overtly supported the victimized nation of Palestine was the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is natural that when people see this revolutionary symbol they welcome it. Every slogan which was chanted in welcoming the president hammered on the heads of the United States and Israel because this all happened close to the Israeli border. Just imagine how angry Israel and the United States are... This visit was carrying the message of support for Palestine, [the message that] you the people of Palestine are not alone. This visit injected resistance into the Palestinian nation..."  
• Ayatollah Alam al-Hoda, Mashhad Friday prayer leader: "What upsets them [the United States and Israel] is that should the Iranian president visit Lebanon it would demonstrate the influence of the Leader and the Islamic revolution of Iran in eyes of the world."
• Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says Iran has spent $100 million in aid to Pakistan.
• Jahan News quotes "many Internet users" for claiming that "beginning of the rescue mission for Chilean miners coinciding with Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon was the plan of Israel and its allies."
• Following news of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's visit to Lebanon, Tabnak News speculates about Ahmadinejad extending his visit.
  • Ahmadinejad inaugurates Maroun al-Ras Park in South Lebanon.
• Hojjatollah Jodaki, former cultural attaché in Cairo, says Egypt denied tourist visas to Iranians during the Khatami presidency out of fear that "Israeli and German tourists would abandon Egypt."

Military and Security

• ISNA reports an explosion at a cement research center in Tehran.
• Intelligence Minister Hojjat al-Eslam Heydar Moslehi says two captive American citizens in Iran will be prosecuted for espionage.

Economy

• Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, temporary Tehran Friday prayer leader: "It is unclear when the subsidies system will be reformed, but everyone knows that it is to the benefit of our nation. The only thing I ask for from the government is that they should not do something which upsets the people. They now say that in some provinces the price of electricity and water has been doubled. I, of course, called the minister and wrote letters, but did not receive any answer."
• Yahya Al-e-Eshagh, Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines chairman, says Iran's foreign exchange reserve is $80 billion.

Trade

• The Islamic Republic begins exporting petrochemicals to Egypt. Donya-ye Eqtesad.
• Deputy Commerce Minister Babak Afghahi meeting the head of Southern Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture discusses expansion of Iran/Lebanon trade relations. Donya-ye Eqtesad.
• Zanjan Airport starts direct flights to Kish and Damascus, Syria.

Photo of the Day

• First ladies of Iran and Lebanon.