Editorials
– Conservatives preparation for elections
– Criticizing Rouhani for signing the FATF deal
Political
– Ahmadinejad is Rouhani’s competitor in the upcoming elections; Rouhani’s advisor
– Sharq Newspaper editor: Nejad is a subjective person and does not accept a second opinion
Military
– Italian military delegation meets with Iran’s Armed Forces
Economic
– Central bank; Iranian banks not allowed to avoid giving financial services and facilities to people
– The Iranian industrial units receive financial facilities to boost their effectiveness
Sharq Newspaper
“The attack on Rouhani’s Government Over a Law Endorsed by Parliament”
An editorial in Tuesday’s Sharq newspaper defends the Rouhani government following attacks over its implementation of the international FATF legislation on money laundering and funding for terrorism, which followed moves by the Central Bank of Iran to suspend suspicious transactions by senior regime and Revolutionary Guard officials pursuant to the agreement.
Many media attacks were launched against the Rouhani government in the wake of this, with the agreement accused of being a device by foreign governments to spy on Iran’s domestic financial activities and using foreign laws against Iranian nationals within their own country
The editorial pointed out that the legislation against money laundering and terrorism funding had been signed by Ahmadinejad in 2010 when it was passed by the Islamic Republic’s eighth Iranian parliament, which was then under a fundamentalist conservative majority, before being ratified by the Guardian Council in 2015 after being twice returned to the ninth parliament, also a conservative-majority one, for adjustments. The editorial added that Iran’s Central Bank chief had stated categorically that there is no connection between the nuclear deal and the withholding of banking services to any Iranian citizen, with the legislation resulting from the government’s being a signatory to legislation outlawing money laundering, which obliges all banks to report suspicious transactions and to prevent certain individuals from conducting banking transactions.
This legislation was approved by the Supreme Council for Opposing Corruption which is headed by the Minister of Economy, with its members drawn from the Ministries of Industry, Interior Affairs, and Intelligence in addition to the Governor of the Ahmadinejad-era Central Bank, in accordance with a plan to remove from a money laundering blacklist, which happened temporarily earlier this year, the editorial added. Three countries had been placed on this blacklist – Iran, Cuba, and North Korea – with Cuba being removed earlier this year, leaving only Iran and North Korea.
With the United Nations having developed a specific definition of terrorism and Iran having signed the resolution, if Iran fails to comply with the terms of the treaty, it would be included on the list of countries sponsoring terrorism. The editorial concluded that it is clear that the outrage over this issue revolves around domestic issues, primarily the political conflict between Rouhani and the Conservatives, which means that this issue is being used to justify exploiting domestic scandals to enforce compliance with international law.
Ebticar Newspaper
“Fundamentalists voting behavior in the 2017 presidential elections”
Ebticar Newspaper suggested a possible motivation for conservatives’ voting behavior, given the regime’s increasing opacity over possible conservative strategies for next year’s presidential elections and the lack of candidates put forward to date. The editorial stated that the political fluidity which prevailed in the 2016 parliamentary elections had, in a sense, undermined the political affiliations of the majority of candidates, to the point where they were unable to determine the winner by a parliament majority. However, with the beginning of the new parliament, these new political affiliations began to crumble, clarifying the true loyalties of deputies, but not ending this sense of political uncertainty. The rightist conservative, who were targeting the leftist reformists over a decade ago are now themselves known for their radicalism and extremism, while former radicals are known more for their centrist stance. Lefist reformists, meanwhile, have been politically restricted by the deep security crisis, which prevented their political advancement, failing to make any political process after the 2009 crisis, until creating a new atmosphere in 2013. The fundamentalists, meanwhile, have realized the difficulty of completing the elimination of reformist movement, instead trying to integrate Rouhani into the fundamentalist bloc through agreements to ease the pressure on him and to reach understandings between Rouhani and the fundamentalist factions.
Jahan Sanaat Newspaper
“G20 Conference in Vain “
Jahan’s editorial criticized the G20 conference, in particular, US President Barack Obama’s performance, asserting that the conference was influenced by the ongoing events of the Syrian war and worsening terrorism risks generally. Moreover, commenting on the meetings-style of world leaders, Jahan said that it took decades and more for the leaders to finalize the decisions taken in their bilateral and trilateral meetings. Nevertheless, it said, with the advent of the financial crisis at the beginning of the third millennium and rising oil prices, major and modern economic countries as well as some developing countries which needed to discuss global issues, particularly economic issues, decided to form the G20.
Despite the fact that the recent summit involved countries including Indonesia, Australia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as the traditional superpowers, for the first time the event was futile given the differing views on the Syrian war between the major powers. The summit could not develop solutions to any of the global economic crises, although these were supposedly the main issue of the G20 talks, the editorial said, with the shadow of the Syrian war preventing any progress on the economic front. Obama’s fatigued demeanor and low morale were clear to see, the editorial added, especially in light of the White House’s custom of not taking any important decisions in the last two months of a president’s term in office. That was reflected even in the other G20 leaders’ dealings with him, the editorial concluded, with other leaders getting what seemed to be personal revenge over his performance during his tenure as the United States President.
♦ The Iranian industrial units receive 60 billion Tomans
The Iranian minister of industry, Mohammed Ni’mat Zadah stated that 6700 Iranian industrial units received 60 billion Tomans to boost their production capabilities. Zadeh added that Iran is witnessing development after lifting sanctions and signed many agreements to import Italian and German technical experiences to Iran
Source: Etimad Newspaper
♦ The Iranian exports to Italy up by 33%
The Iranian customs department announced that Iran’s exports to Italy achieved 33% increase during the last five months in compared with the same period of last year. According to reports, the Iranian exports amounted to 440 thousand tons of mineral and leather products amounting to 797 billion and 897 million Tomans; meanwhile, it exported about 293 thousand tons amounting to 655 billion to Italy last year. All in all, the total increase of the Iranian exportations to Italy during the last five months was 33% in weight and 17% in value.
Source: Etimad Newspaper
♦ Hassan Rouhani is headed to Venezuela
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Bahram Ghasemi, announced that president Hassan Rouhani would be visiting Venezuela to participate in the ceremonies of submitting the non-alignment organization presidency from Tehran to Karakas. As for the FATF deal, Ghasemi stated that Iran has no concern about implementing the FATF commitments, noting that this deal has nothing to do with the joint work plan.
Source: Jam-e-Jam Newspaper
♦ Motahari: France assists in implementing the nuclear deal
Second deputy-speaker, Ali Motahari in a meeting with The French parliament speaker, Clod Partolon, stated that both countries are victims of terrorism and can work together to counter this phenomenon. He also stressed on more cooperation between both sides in implementing the joint work plan for the interests of the two countries.
Motahari also referred to the French role in the nuclear deal, asserting that this country has to use its position in the European Union and the 5+1 group to fulfill commitments and better implement the joint work plan.
Source: Fares Agency
♦ Ahmed Montazeri accused of moving against the national security
Ahmed Montazeri, son of former Supreme Leader, Hussein Ali Montazeri announced that he was accused of moving against the national security by the special clergy court in Qum and was released under 70 million Tomans bail because of publishing the vocal file of Montazeri concerning the executions of politicians in 1988. Montario’s channel wrote on Instagram that Ahmed Montazeri denied this accusation and will respond after consulting his lawyers in the session scheduled on this Wednesday.
Source: Farda Radio Site
♦ Italy calls Iran to dock on its coasts.
Deputy-assistant of operations and head of the international relations department in the Italian army, Admiral Roberto Kiamatchla heading a delegation of five personnel met with the Army Marine forces commander, Admiral Habibullah Siary at the Iranian Marine forces headquarter. Both sides discussed the bilateral relations and possibilities to strengthen them on all levels. Head of the Italian delegation invited Iran’s fleet to visit the Italian coasts and noted that the Italian warships will be seen at Iran’s southern coasts in the near future. Siary also referred to the importance of Italy’s geopolitical position through the 8000 kilometers coastline at the Mediterranean, stressing the importance of the Mediterranean as a crossroad for trade ships and oil transportation.
Source: Tasnim Agency
♦ A draft law in the American Congress to prevent paying any money to Iran
The American congress is discussing a draft law that prevents Obama’s administration from paying any money of the American taxpayers to Iran. The Republican representatives considered that paying 400 million USD to Iran for releasing American prisoners is a tribute; meanwhile, Obama’s administration denied this information. The draft law will be presented by Senator Marko Rubio and will force Iran to return back the billions of USD it received from America. Rubio also added that the nuclear deal between Obama’s administration and Iran is disastrous and paved the way to pay billions of USD tribute to a country considered the biggest supporter of terrorism in the world. Rubio concluded that the United States government should not negotiate with terrorists and must not pay tribute to release American hostages to anybody, asserting that this will expose America to more dangers, which was acknowledged by Obama himself.
Source: Tasnim Agency
