The big threat to the existence of Iran is the most prominent title in the Iranian newspapers editorials this morning; the Iranian government inability to manage water resources, as well as the urban projects influence on the environment. Clarifying the Erdogan’s Turkey development of relations with Iran under the current conditions, as well as that Rouhani’s defeat doesn’t necessarily mean conservatives victory in the presidential elections next year.
In the news, newspapers reported expectations about the outcomes of the economic nuclear deal, along with identifying the scandal of salaries of state officials. Socially, kidnap of Iranians in Afghanistan, and politically, the date of holding presidential elections, and recognition of nominating Rouhani as a candidate for reformers.
“Defeat of Rouhani is not a victory for conservatives,” Sharq Newspaper” today warns Conservatives through Sadegh Zibakalam of the consequences in case Rouhani is defeated in the upcoming presidential elections. The editorial says that the offense against the government of Rouhani is incomparable to any other government in the history of Iran. Conservatives have used all means of offense. There was a competition between them about who is offending him and his government, even in public just like the governor of Tehran, when Rouhani said that the capital needs a comprehensive development program rather than converting parks to forests of concrete. Had these directives come from a non-governmental organization, the governor, who has been in office for 11 years, would have shown his gratitude for the wise advice. Conservatives were defeated twice by Rouhani, in presidential elections 2013, and parliamentary elections 2016. Today, they have two choices, either to understand why they are rejected in major cities that have high rate of intellectuals, especially Tehran, where they got none of its 14 seats in the parliament; or ruin the image of Rouhani in order to defeat him in the elections of 2017, which in fact, their only choice. However, will distorting the Image of Rouhani make the 19 million votes he got to go to a fundamentalist conservative candidate? The answer is no. But the same question that was on the table at the end of Khatami’s reform era will rise again, which was wondering if there is hope of change through participation in the elections? Only asking this question is considered a defeat for conservatives. This would be a declaration of the failure of the regime by the crowds who boycott the elections, which would turn Iran into an isolated internal entity at which a group of politicians takes over the country without the support of these crowds, who believe that the regime should gain its powers from people.
“Our survival is linked to tumbling water crisis,” “Iran” newspaper handles water crisis in Iran. The editorial says that Iran is suffering a severe water crisis. The world media is questioning the Iranian existence in light of the lack of water resources and the uncontrolled consumption. So far, the balance in distributing groundwater wells is not working, and the speed of closing wells is not compatible with the severity of the crisis. In 2015, Iran has closed only 9,200 wells of 350 thousand unlicensed ones. The editorial says that one of the most important decisions of the Top Council for Waters is to balance the distribution of groundwater through 15 projects, but the implementation of these projects requires the participation of the private sector and bank facilities, due to its need for financial resources which are currently not available for the Iranian government. On the other hand, Iran suffers from high salinity in Gotvand dam inventory and the possibility of Karun River’s salinity to rise as well, leading to the destruction of the agricultural lands it supply. The main reason for that was the salt tube explosion in Gotavand Dam Lake. The shortage of water supplies in Iran is expected to reach 50% above average this year. In fact, the Iranian government is unable to manage water resources and is damaging the environment by its urban projects, which is threatening people’s lives in areas inhabited by ethnic and religious minorities, especially the Arab Ahwaz, home of Karun River.
“Omen from prescient” Resalat Newspaper comments on Faiza Rafsanjani’s recent voice message, stating that she is rejecting the religious form of government. The editorial says that Faiza Rafsanjani’s statement at an opposition forum about the religious government was given a big round of clap and applause. This was provoking because it was not long since her presence in a Baha’i forum which highlighted her faith in the regime through the close relationship with Baha’is. Faiza Rafsanjani’s positions had wronged her father before the Iranian people and regime as well. Many of the attendants are from those who participated in the events of 2009 and were calling what she is calling now. After the break down of the Green Movement, they could not have uttered such statements. The editorial says that Faiza Rafsanjani is now a member of the Central Committee of Kwader Albenaa Wataameer Party that has to make up its mind about a member that rejects the religious form of government. If this party wins the elections, it will be running an administration of a religious state. Meanwhile, Fiaza, a member of this party, had participated in demonstrations of the 2009 events several times. The editorial sees that this is a signal from prescient that Faiza and her party could not be trusted with the political life in Iran, which is an attempt from the editorial to keep Kwader Albenaa Wataameer Party away from political life; the party that was founded by Rafsanjani and run the regime for 8 years, and reformist movement came out of its womb.
“Erdogan’s future,” Kayhan newspaper presented a new vision for the future of Erdogan after the failed military coup. The editorial says that even though the coup has failed, it doesn’t mean ignoring the strong presence of the army in Turkish life, due to its enormity and direct connection with NATO; however, in spite of all decisions taken by Erdogan, he is still unable to implement a fundamental transformation in the Turkish army. The second point is that Fathallah Gulen is introducing a form of Western Islam despite the fact that he doesn’t enjoy a prestigious status among the religious masses in Turkey. Because of the extent and effectiveness of educational, therapeutic and service institutions that belong to him, he was able to have an extensive presence in towns and villages of Turkey. Fathullah Gulen calls for a kind of enlightenment mysticism that is not bind by Islamic texts. He calls for a doctrine at which sticking to Islamic provisions is unnecessary and religious duties go back to the individual himself and his perception of religion. Gulen’s ideas are similar to the thought of lenient doctrine that was called for in Iran by a group of intellectuals such as Abdul Karim Soroush, which is considered by the CIA as the American solution for the Muslim World. Therefore, because of the network of public services introduced by Gulen, and the western extreme support to him, particularly Americans, he, and the army will remain a source of disturbance to Erdogan.
The third point is that the West sees Erdogan as an undesired person because he adopted policies that favor Turkish interests away from Western policies. Erdogan’s following of Zero Political Tensions policy enabled him to achieve economic gains through trading with Iran although the Western sanctions imposed on this country. He also attracted Russian tourism that equals 37% of tourism in Turkey. Moreover, he achieved significant profits from the transit trade of the Iranian gas. At the same time, several European Union countries were suffering from severe economic crises. Therefore, Turkish economy had beaten European economies such as Spain, Greece, and Italy, which leads to the continuation of the western desire to overthrow Erdogan. The editorial sees that even if Erdogan has the ability to change, it won’t last too long. New activists like Fathallah Gulen and Ahmet Davutoglu will emerge. Erdogan can’t face Turkish separatists by this wounded army, and has to relieve pressure off the military during a short period of time. Finally, the editorial says that if Erdogan is rational, he has to head toward Iran in the face of increasing European and American pressure as well as security threats. Through the contact with a stable country like Iran, he can get himself out of the circle of instability. Nevertheless, he is unlikely to do so, but at least, Erdogan will make the relative development of his relationship with Iran, but will continue to use the Iranian card to reduce US pressure on him. On the other hand, Iran could exploit this situation to consolidate its position in Syria with the expected decline of the Turkish role in the Syrian crisis.
♦ Economic consequences of the nuclear deal will not appear until the next five years
The economist, Mohammad Ghali Yousfi, believes that the implementation of the economy- related articles in the nuclear deal may take time and that the economic results will not come about clearly until at least the four or five years to come. He added that in addition to the internal economic problems, international sanctions severed those problems and confined Iran from using modern technologies in order to develop its economy. He stressed that those sanctions have led toward trading money, corruption and smuggling, which can’t be relieved on the short run.
Source: Abrar Eghtesadi Newspaper.
♦ State officials’ salary cap is five thousand and four hundred USDs
The official government spokesman, Mohammad Bagher Noboukht said that according to the decision of Salaries and Wages Board, political leaders’ salaries will amount to less than 10 million Tomans (2,800 dollars), while factory and corporate managers’ won’t exceed 19 million Tomans (5 thousand and 400 dollars). On the other hand, he pointed out to the solutions that should be taken by the government to recover recession and said that the government has begun those solutions by increasing the number of jobs and constructions expenditures.
Source: Tejarat Newspaper.
♦ Kidnap of 20 Iranians in Afghanistan
The Iranian consul to Herat Afghan city, Mahmoud Afkhami said that 20 Iranians were kidnapped in Afghanistan last year. He added, during the joint meeting of the Board of Iranian-border towns’ governors, held in Mashhad that the number of Iranians who were kidnapped in Afghanistan has increased over the past two years. He noted that the issue of human trafficking is the most difficult of all problems, and the Iranian consulate issues about 1000 visas for Afghani people every day.
Source: Arman Emrouz.
♦ 95% of addicted have returned back to drugs
Head of anti-addiction management in the Iranian Ministry of Health, Ali Reza Norouzi indicated that 95 up to 99% of addicts on the streets have returned back to addiction, explaining that their number is noticeable in Iran, especially in Tehran, the capital. Norouzi added that the procedures should not be confined to treating those addicts, but also they should be rehabilitated and subject to certain training programs after recovery. Wondering about the absence of such rehabilitation programs?
Source: Khorasan Newspaper.
♦ The new Iranian-Afghani agreements
Director General of the Office of Commercial Affairs for Asian countries revealed the increase in exports and investments between Iran and Afghanistan. Mojtaba Mousavian, stated to ISNA News Agency, that the agreements between Tehran and Kabul aimed to develop trade and investment relations between the two countries. He said that there had been many joint meetings between the two sides to increase cooperation and investment. Mousavian added that the visit of the Iranian Minister of Industry last year resulted in the establishment of a joint committee between Iran and Afghanistan. In sequence, the first exhibition of small and medium products was held in Kabul. In addition to that, Iran will sign several other agreements during the second meeting of the Committee in the mid of this year.
Source: ISNA News Agency.
♦ The twelfth presidential elections, May 19th, 2017
A well- connected source in the Guardian Council, mentioned that the Council has approved the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ proposed date of the twelfth presidential elections to be on Friday, May 19th, 2017.
The source added that, according to the constitution, the Guardian Council is not responsible for overseeing elections of cities and villages councils, which are under the control of the central commission of the Shura Council. Moreover, the Guardian Council hasn’t made a decision about conducting the elections of those councils, but by law, presidential and councils elections should be held in conjunction with each other.
Source: Aftab.
♦ Javad Karimi Kaddosi: Ministry of Foreign Affairs has to reconsider its main principles
The member of National Security Committee of the Shura Council, Javad Karimi Kaddosi Naqvi, while criticizing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mohammad Javad Zarif, because of what he described repositioning around the expansion of visits to the West, demanded a diplomatic reaction against the killing, imprisonment, and torture for the Shiite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzackhe in Nigeria.
Kaddosi Naqvi added that Zarif and the diplomatic staff focused on topics such as the nuclear deal and the expansion of visits but not relations with the West. He added that this issue has led to condone the killing of Shiites in Nigeria, imprisonment, and torture of Sheikh Zakzackhe.
The spokesperson of the parliamentary National Security Committee explained that foreign ministry, on the contrary of what it declares, prioritizes consolidation and expansion of relations with Western countries, pointing out that the diplomatic personnel should put the expansion of ties with Asian and African neighbors in priority.
Kaddosi Naqvi also claimed that Iran has got no significant gain from the expansion of relations with the West on all levels. It’s only talks and promotion, calling for a review of the strategies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in light of the absence of sanctions abolition by the West despite the signing of the nuclear deal.
Source: Degerban.
♦ Rouhani, reformists’ candidate for the elections of 2017
Member of Omid coalition in the Shura Council, Mohammad Qumi, said that the first action of this coalition is handling the presidential and council elections. He added that president Hassan Rouhani is the only candidate for reformers.
Qumi said that in order to win elections, unity and coordination must exist, representatives gather from all different positions of the state, in addition to all dedicated and hardworking reformers.
Source: ISNA Agency.
♦ Arif: moral anomalies resulted from unemployment and has become critical
Head of Omid coalition, Mohammad Reza Aref, stressed in separate meetings with political activists from the provinces of Markazi and Gilan, the need to exploit the potential of the workforce in all provinces in development and progress. He said that reform managers at all levels must prioritize people’s demands and introduce solutions for their problems, which need planning, dedication, and patience. He said that unemployment is a serious concern facing people, especially the youth, and pointed out that decent jobs are a natural right for all people. He concluded that the increase in educated young people unemployment, day after day is disappointing, and unfortunately, some unnecessary bureaucracy makes it worse.
Finally, he stated that the increase in moral anomalies is extremely worrying and stressed that the main reason for this moral deviation is unemployment
Source: Mehr News Agency.
