The Editorials of the Iranian press on Saturday, July 16, 2016, ignored the military coup in Turkey by some military personnel who tried to overthrow the regime. They have rather highlighted the attempt to make progress in the internal files just like the nuclear deal in an attempt to enhance the chances of President Hassan Rouhani for a second term.
In the news, Tehran questioned the events in Turkey and declared support to the legitimate and legal government in Ankara. Economically, some reports indicated smuggling rates in the era of former President Ahmadinejad, as well as the seeking of Pakistan to resume banking transactions with Iran.
“The reasons for the terrorist attacks on France,” Arman newspaper devoted its editorial to discuss the terrorist attack last Thursday night on Nice-France. The editorial said that there are three reasons for such consecutive attacks. The first reason is the increasing gap between the different classes in the French capitalist society, and the existence of Arab minority from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia in Southern France. Moreover, the low standards of living of this minority and their feeling that the reason for the French prosperity goes back to the riches that were looted during the colonial period, which has enhanced the feelings of hate toward the French capitalist society. The second reason, according to the editorial is the Arab emigrants’ desire to revenge from the colonial violence practiced against them by France during the colonial era. The third reason is the annual French income achieved from tourism, which amounts to sixty billion US Dollars. This makes France unwilling to deploy police forces intensively in the streets so as not to give the impression of insecurity on its territories. The editorial did not attribute this issue to the consequences of conflicts in the Middle East nor to the French role in those conflicts, which actually have a significant impact on targeting the European countries.
“We won’t be the bait in the International relations Sea,” Avrinsh, in its editorial warns that Iran could become bait exploited by major countries, internationally, to trap up other countries. The editorial said that during Iran’s nuclear program talks, it was usually declared that there are secret negotiations between Iran and the United States. In the Syrian war, Iran has become a key player in the international balances in which all great powers are involved. The editorial believes that the entry of Iran in the international transactions will possibly maintain the Iranian position on the International level. Nevertheless, it could hurt Iran if it stands on the wrong square of the international relations chessboard. The editorial said that the significant room for maneuvering with the rest of the world is a good thing, but it is necessary to be in a rational and logical way especially with those major countries. Otherwise, Iran will be the biggest loser. Iran should keep pace and be cautious when dealing with Super-Powers. It shouldn’t approach them closely in order not to be burned by their fires nor stay away and suffer freezing. The editorial reflects the fears of the Iranian society of taking over bigger regional and international roles than the actual capabilities of Iran, and to become a victim of understandings that occur between the major powers who finally sacrifice Iran, particularly, the Iranian presence in Syria.
“The internal program on the government’s agenda,” Jahan Sanat Newspaper called for implementing an internal program on the model of the nuclear deal. The editorial said that the major powers hostility such as the US, Britain, and France, has cost Iran significant revenues of oil. The economic sanctions they imposed on Iran toppled the Iranian growth rate. It entered a stage of recession and achieved negative rates. Consequently, the purchasing ability of the Iranians fell down 20% and increased the gap between Iran and its regional competitors Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who have achieved positive growth rates. In addition to that, the continuation of the Iranian problems in dealing with foreign banks prevented the foreign direct investments from coming to Iran. The editorial said that Iran needs to implement the spirit of the nuclear deal on the internal level, which means that all Iranian currents should come to an agreement on one national project that can achieve 8% annual growth rate, with the continuation of the political disagreement on the other topics. The agreement between all competitors on one goal while maintaining the other points of dispute is possible since it was used by Iran in dealing with the major countries concerning the nuclear deal. So, what prevents it from using the same strategy in the internal political arguments that were about to topple the political life in Iran and deteriorate the standards of living of Iranians?
♦ During Ahmadinejad’s era, smuggling made four times increase
Abrar Eghtesadi Newspaper reported that smuggling is the main factor of aggravation of the economic recession, deteriorating the national production, downgrading customs and tax payment, in addition to the dissatisfaction of merchants and economists in the country.
Director General of Planning and Supervision Bureau on customs operations, Ibrahim Zeraei said that it is difficult to determine the amounts of smuggled goods. He explained that according to the available documents smuggling in amounted to about $ six billion in 2005. In 2008, during the period of Ahmadinejad’s, it amounted to about $ 19.2 billion.
Source: Abrar Eghtesadi Newspaper.
♦ Pakistan is seeking to resume banking transactions with Iran
Pakistani Minister of Commerce Khorrm Destkir referred to the continuing problem of banking relationships with Iran, adding that they had requested from the central bank and private banks in Pakistan to put up a specific mechanism for the resumption of banking transactions with Iran. He also pointed out that the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce has established a special meeting in Islamabad concerning that issue.
Source: Abrar Eghtesadi Newspaper.
♦ Creating an Iranian shopping center and distribution network in Iraq
Iran’s economic advisor in Iraq, Ibrahim Mohammad Reza Zadeh said that Tehran’s schedule for this year is to establish a trade center in Baghdad and a distribution network in Iraq. This program is run by the help and cooperation of the private sector and producers. He stated that Iran exported about $ 6.2 billion to Iraq last year, which is considered the second place after China.
Source: Abrar Eghtesadi Newspaper.
♦ Shamkhani: Iran supports the legitimate government in Ankara
Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani said that his country was following up with the crisis in Turkey since the beginning through contact with security officials and politicians in Turkey. He added that Iran supports the legitimate government of Turkey against any action that would harm the stability and security of this country or opposes the interests of Turkish people.
Source: Fares News Agency.
♦ Hassan Becky: the coup in Turkey is doubtful
Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee of the Iranian parliament Hassan Becky stressed that Iran condemns any kinds of a coup, and doesn’t accept any action incompatible with the voice of the people and democracy, and instability of Turkey. Becky said that the coup in Turkey is questioning because of the army’s quick withdrawal. He added that the if the coup were true, similar to that in Egypt, the army would stand against people. He also explained that this coup might be artificial and made by Erdogan’s party, and is a tactic to try to resolve the real crisis by another artificial one.
Source: Mehr News Agency.
♦ US House of Representatives: Adoption of two regulations against Iran
According to IRNA News Agency, the Republican extremists in the US House of Representatives adopted two regulations against Iran in order to exert more pressure on the supporters of the nuclear deal as a political exploitation of the presidential elections in the United States of America.
The first regulation concluded the imposition of new sanctions on Iran in a case of the continuation of its missile program, which was approved by 246 votes against 179 objection votes. The second regulation aimed to create restrictions on Iran’s access to the mechanisms of the American financial institutions and take advantage of the dollar as a trade currency, which was approved by 246 votes in favor, and 181 objection votes.
Source: Bartrenha site.
♦ Zeba Kalam: Maj. Gen. Soleimani and Ahmadinejad are capable defeating Rouhani
Professor of political science at Tehran University, Sadeq Ziba Kalam said that the conservative current can return back to power by nominating either Major General Qassem Soleimani or Ahmadinejad for the next presidential elections, otherwise, this current will have no chance of winning the elections. He assured that only Soleimani and Ahmadinejad can challenge Rouhani and visit of the ignite competition for the next Iranian presidential elections. At the same time, he confirmed the difficulty of nominating Qassem Soleimani or Ahmadinejad by conservatives as their candidate for the elections, since such choices will make problems for them.
Source: Khabertcheh Site.
♦ Cancellation of the visit of the French Parliament President to Iran
The visit of the French Parliament President, Claude Partlon to Iran was canceled due to the terrorist attacks on France and was postponed to another time. This visit was scheduled on Saturday to meet the President of the Iranian parliament, Ali Larijani, the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, some officials and politicians, economists, and members of parliament.
Source: Mehr News Agency.
♦ $ 3.6 billion agreement between Iran and Italy
Iran signed a 3 billion and 600 million USD with Italy on Thursday to construct a 1200 kilometers road and connect the city of “Bazrjan” with the port of Khomeini.
Italy sought to sign a number of trade agreements with Iran after the beginning of the nuclear deal implementation, in addition to being the first official destination for the Iranian president in Europe.
Source: Fares News Agency.
