» A Weird Request
In its editorial, Etimad Newspaper handled the main candidate of fundamentalists, Ibrahim Ra’isi when he, after the second debate last Friday, called for a debate between the current president Hassan Rouhani and former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Ra’isi justified his request saying that Rouhani puts the blame on Nejad for the bad economic conditions in Iran.
The editorial said, “Ra’isi called for a debate between Rouhani and Nejad to put an end to this issue and insisted that the government has to bear its responsibilities, saying that Rouhani always puts the blame on the former government whenever he is asked about the economy. So, what does this request mean?”
“It seems that Ra’isi cannot get the point behind Rouhani’s blame on Nejad’s government. In fact, Rouhani and Jahangiri are targeting the current fundamentalist candidates.” The editorial added, “Nejad’s government did not come from the sky that no one can bear the responsibility for what it did. This government came from the extremist fundamentalist beliefs and some of its followers are participating in Ra’isi and Qalibaf’s electoral campaigns. Those willing to go Nejad’s way and follow his steps have to have the courage and credibility to defend these policies.”
The editorial believes that the case is not only Ahmadinejad but also the Ahmadinejadism and the most important slogans raised by the fundamentalist candidates are cloned from the slogans and policies of Ahmadinejad. “If we go beyond the empty slogans such as increasing the financial support and creating six million jobs, what is left for them? Nothing! Even their way in debates is a carbon copy of Nejad’s.” So, the editorial concludes, “why are they trying to escape their responsibility?”
An Editorial in “Etimad” Newspaper Sun. May 7, 2017
» 2030 Educational Document and the Story of Begging the Enemy
In its editorial, Khorasan newspaper criticized Rouhani’s signing of the UNESCO educational document 2030 with the regime’s unawareness of this step, which made the Leader yesterday sharply criticize it saying that Iran would never be subject to such documents and its implementation in silence is unacceptable. Khamenei informed all related authorities and asked the government to announce Iran’s position clearly toward this document.
“Some of the terms of the document were guaranteeing equal and comprehensive education for all, men and women equality, and education for life. However, Iran considers that being subject to the UNESCO through this document will be followed by foreign domination of the Iranian national affairs and violates articles 153, 77, and 125 of the constitution. Some other terms in this document contradict our national and cultural values.” The editorial said.
The editorial criticized the swift signing of this document by the government while Khamenei’s initiative “The General Policies for Changing the Educational System” that was handed over to the relevant authorities in May 2013 is still ignored, which Khamenei himself also criticized yesterday.
The editorial also stated that this document was signed and passed with high confidentiality and criticized the Higher Council for Cultural Development that takes responsibility for writing rules and control of strategic policies and initiatives in the cultural field in the country. This council did not do its job concerning the 2030 document that provoked Khamenei who indicated dissatisfaction with this issue yesterday.
The editorial finally asks a question and leaves the answer for the Iranian officials, “Why did the government sign this document with complete confidentiality without inviting the specialists in this concern?”
An Editorial in Khorasan Newspaper Mon. May 8, 2017
» Macron, Iran, and the Middle East
This editorial handled the results of the French elections and their impact on Syria, Iran, and the Middle East. The editorial sees that Macron’s succession of the French presidency is in favor of the Syrian and Iranian regimes. Macron supports Assad’s stay in office and calls for balancing of powers in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Iran. “Macron’s succession to the presidency will have a big impact on the French relations with the European Union and America. However, we have to wait and see his position toward the Middle East and Iran?” the editorial said.
The editorial also believes that Macron’s position can be predicted from his statements during his electoral campaign. His opponent disagrees with his strategy toward Syria. Macron supports Bashar Assad and believes that he is the only one that can take control of Syria and break the cycle of violence in this country. He also believes, according to the editorial, that toppling Assad down means that the West is strengthening the ISIS.
“Macron’s position states that there have to be no preconditions for negotiations on Syria because this would delay the national reconciliation and waste chances.” The editorial added.
As for the tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Macron believes, according to the editorial, “There has to be a balance of power between the two countries, which means that Macron’s France will deal with both sides equally.” However, the editorial noted, “The adoption of the policy of moderation and balance between Saudi Arabia and Iran does not mean the exposure of the Saudi security to danger resulting from the Iranian destabilizing practices.”
The editorial also believes that Macron will stick to the nuclear deal and enhance relations with Iran, which will boost between both sides in case of Rouhani’s winning of a second term of presidency in the upcoming presidential elections. “For the time being, both Rouhani and Macron call for moderation and have proved that this language, especially in foreign policy can build strong relations between the two countries,” the editorial concluded.
An Editorial in “Jihan Sanaat” Newspaper Tue. May 9, 2017
♦ Rouhani ahead of other presidential candidates say opinion polls
The Iranian newspaper Kayhan has quoted Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi as saying that opinion polls for Iran’s presidential elections show that so far Hassan Rouhani with 32 to 36 percent of votes is ahead of his rivals. Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf has 15 percent and Ebrahim Raisi has 12 percent of votes, according to the polls.
Based on a phone polling reported by ISNA, Raisi’s votes are more than those of Ghalibaf, but Rouhani is leading by 10 percent.
Asr Iran
♦ 30 daily flights to transfer Hajjis from July 23
In a meeting between managing director of Iran Air and head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, they discussed conducting 30 daily flights for transferring Iranian pilgrims from July 23. Hamid Mohammadi, head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, added that with efforts of Islamic Republic Board of Hajj Housing, provision of the housing of Hajjis in Medina is finalized, and more than 80% of required hotels in Makkah are booked as well.
Ettelaat
♦ Canada rejected Iran’s request
The Federal Government of Canada rejected Iran’s request for establishment of voting centers in this country for holding Iranian presidential election there. Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail reported that this decision was taken while the two countries are trying to resume their diplomatic relations.
According to this report, several months ago, permanent representative to the United Nations, in an official request, asked Ottawa government to prepare the grounds for Iranian residing in Canada to take part in Iran’s presidential election by establishing voting centers in that country.
An informed source told the Canadian newspaper that it was impossible to agree with this request because the government usually asks foreign governments to put their ballot boxes in their diplomatic headquarters.
Bartarinha
♦ Pezeshkian: Mechanism for paying salaries in Iran is unfair
Massoud Pezeshkian, deputy speaker of Islamic Parliament, said that mechanism for paying salaries in Iran is unfair, adding, “No place in the world has our payment mechanism, which is unfair, and if we want to reform the society, we must be after creating justice.”
Pezeshkian said that when in a country, a doctor’s income is 200 million Tomans and another doctor’s salary is only 1 million Tomans, it means that an intolerable, unfair gap exists in the society.
Pointing to promises that presidential candidates are making, deputy speaker of Islamic Parliament said some who still do not know the meaning of planning and are after administering the country with slogans, urging, “some only promise giving money to people, but these people should be asked how they will create incomes for the country.”
Abrar daily
♦ Massoudi Khomeini backs Rouhani’s government
Ali Akbar Massoudi Khomeini, one of the eminent professors in Qom’s seminary, denied released materials on the Internet regarding his support for one of the presidential candidates, adding, “Rouhani has gained 4 years of experience and done several things, so we should let him stay for 4 more years to complete the unfinished projects.”
Massoudi Khomeini said disregarding what Rouhani has or has not done, he has at least gained experience, and it is better if he stays. He urged, “Those who are promising money to people, where are they going to get this money?”
Jomhouri Eslami
♦ Iran morality police car runs over a woman, official reacts
A video clip has been recently published on social media in which Iran Morality Police car runs over a woman who stood in front of the car protesting the confiscation of her ID documents. After this video clip went viral, the spokesperson for Iran Law Enforcement Forces said the video is under investigation. Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi added it is not clear when the film was taken, but we know that it has been cut.
The Iranian regime has deployed Morality Police to impose obligatory hijab on women. Morality police cars patrol city streets to confront women, often with violence, for not wearing hijab “properly”.
VOA Persian
♦ Iran tests torpedo again
Iran has tested a high-speed torpedo in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, reported ABC News quoting a source in Pentagon. The Hoot torpedo is capable of reaching speeds of 200 knots (approximately 250 miles) per hour. According to Pentagon officials, this torpedo has been tested before, most recently in February 2015.
Sputnik News
♦ Parsaee: Ghalibaf should explain business of his family and children
Bahram Parsaee, the spokesperson of Article 90 Commission in the parliament, criticized Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf for attacking legitimate business of one of the ministers’ children, calling it a threat against citizens’ rights. A spokesperson for Omid Fraction in the parliament also emphasized on protecting the honor of people in presidential debates, urging that “if someone has committed a crime, it is the judiciary’s duty to deal with it and it has nothing to do with presidential candidates. Otherwise, Ghalibaf should make explanations about the business of his family and his children.”
Vaghaye daily
♦ Motahari still after meeting with those under house arrests
Ali Motahari, deputy speaker of the Islamic Republic, pointed out to Iranian leader Khamenei’s view about lifting the house arrest of Mousavi, Karroubi, and Rahnavard, saying, “We are still after meeting with those who are under arrest, and finding a middle way.” He added that his last meeting with the supreme leader regarding the house arrest took place 2 years ago, in which this issue was brought up, but the supreme leader did not agree with lifting the house arrest.
Ali Motahari said, “[house arrest] is against the constitutional law. Some say it is to the benefit of the country and some consider it as an executive order. I believe putting some people under house arrest is an incorrect procedure that has become common in the Islamic Republic.”
Iranian Green Movement leaders Mousavi, Karroubi, and Rahnavard have been under house arrest without trial since 2011.
ISNA
♦ Turkey to build wall along Iran’s borders
Some Turkish media have claimed that Turkey is after building a wall along its borders with Iran to prevent terrorists and PKK forces from entering this country. A senior government official in Turkey has said that this country is planning to build a wall along the borders with Iran to confront terrorist threats and movements of PKK members. It is said that a cement wall with a length of 70 km will be built along the two cities of Igdir and Agri.
ISNA
♦ Rouhani’s attack against IRGC’s missile power excited Zionists
Israeli’s media and circles welcomed Rouhani’s remarks about Iran’s missile power. In a recent presidential debate, Rouhani expressed his dissatisfaction with the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) displaying Iran’s missile arsenal at the time when the U.S. and Israel were making threats, calling it sabotaging JCPOA.
Israel’s Times wrote, “Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accused Revolutionary Guards that with writing slogans against Israel on the missiles, they had tried to create obstacles for the nuclear deal.” Rouhani had said “Israel must be wiped off the earth” should not have been written on missiles.
Kayhan
♦ 9 injured in petrochemical complex fire
Following the eruption of fire in Rejal petrochemical complex in the city of Mahshahr in southern Iran, 9 workers suffered a severe burn, reported ISNA. According to authorities, the fire was caused by the explosion of a gas canister.
Etemad
♦ ‘You will tear up JCPOA’, says official
Hamid Aboutalebi, President Rouhani’s deputy chief of staff, has slammed presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi in his recent tweets. Aboutalebi questions some of the ministers of Iran’s 9th and 10th administrations for being the “major enemies of JCPOA”, saying they are now active at Raisi’s presidential campaign. This means that “you have no commitment to JCPOA and will tear it up,” he addressed Raisi.
Khabar Online
♦ Iran increases defense budget
Iran Defense Minister has announced that the budget to upgrade the country’s defense capabilities in 2016 has increased 2.5 times, compared to the previous administration. In 2017, this number will be 4 times more than that of Ahmadinejad’s government, added Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan.
Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps spends the most part of Iran’s military budget for operations in the region, specifically in Syria.
Anadolu Agency
♦ Workers protest to their livelihood during Rouhani’s speech
During President Hassan Rouhani’s speech on International Workers’ Day, workers protested about their livelihood and economic conditions, criticizing the 11th government’s performance. After Rouhani’s speech, the host of the program threatened the protesting workers who were after their own legal rights to crush them and called them mercenaries.
Fars news agency
♦ Moderate Hassan Rouhani has tough competition ahead, says American website
American analytical website, Soufan Group, predicted that on May 19, Iran’s election day for the presidency, competition will probably be tough for Hassan Rouhani, the moderate president of Iran. This website wrote that Rouhani’s defeat in the election will show that majority of Iranians have not benefitted from the lifting of sanctions after JCPOA, even though it might not result in nullification of this multilateral nuclear deal. Also, Rouhani’s defeat will intensify the current tension between Iran and Trump’s administration. Soufan Group continued that compared with 2013, Rouhani is facing a more unified front of a hardline competitor, among whom Ebrahim Raisi can be seen.
Fars news agency
♦ Sadegh Larijani criticized Rouhani: JCPOA did not remove shadow of war
Sadegh Larijani, head of Iran’s judiciary system, said in critical remarks against Hassan Rouhani that “it is wrong that some people think that negotiations– including those related to JCPOA and non-JCPOA– removed the shadow of war from the country.” Larijani pointed out to “people’s presence” and “incessant efforts of armed forces such as the Revolutionary Guards and Basij” as factors that removed war from Iran.
In a TV program last year, Hassan Rouhani had called the most important effect of JCPOA as “removing the threatening shadow of threat from us.” And recently on a campaign trip to the city of Yazd, Rouhani told the voters that they should decide if they want “the country’s honor or ominous shadow of war.”
Manoto news
♦ Ali Larijani: Increasing subsidies not possible
Ali Larijani, Iran’s Parliament speaker, said it is impossible to double or triple the cash subsidies in Iran. He added that annually 1 million and 500 thousand billion riyals are given as cash subsidies in Iran. Given the government’s revenues and expenses, Larijani said, “it is impossible to increase it because the government doesn’t have money to pay it.”
Referring to “issues that are brought up today” by some candidates, Ali Larijani said, “it should be considered that the country’s financial resources are not infinite, and even the budget of 2017-2018 was financed with a lot of efforts.”
Ebrahim Raisi, one of the presidential candidates in Iran, has recently said that if he wins the election, he will triple the cash subsidies of the three lowest deciles in the society.
BBC Persian
♦ Shirin Ebadi: Human Rights records of presidential candidates not acceptable
Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace laureate and defender of human rights, thinks none of the candidates in the presidential election in Iran has an acceptable record. In an interview with International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Ebadi pointed out to Ebrahim Raisi’s records in Iran’s judiciary system and his presence in judiciary board that decided about executions in 1988, saying that he has a dark record in human rights issues.
Regarding Hassan Rouhani’s human rights records, Ebadi said that his Intelligence Ministry has caused the arrests of many journalists and civil activists, and “Rouhani cannot shirk his responsibility in this regard because the Intelligence Ministry is the plaintiff in these arrests.”
VOA Persian
♦ Presidential candidate: Iran witnessing economic crisis
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is running for Iran’s 12th presidential election, says his country is witnessing an economic crisis. In an interview with Iran state TV, Ghalibaf added 4 percent of authorities “gain the highest income through rent-seeking activities effortlessly.” Referring to corruption, he said: “Isn’t there anyone who can prevent smuggling commodities worth $25 billion?” Ghalibaf promised to create 5 million jobs if he is elected to office.
Jame Jam online
