Editorials
– Ebtikar analyzes political and party rivalry in Iran.
– Arman handles the points of dispute and agreement between Russia and the U.S.
Iranian News Roundup
– The arrest of eight individuals on Sarmaieh bank case file.
– Calls for Britain to help release British- Iranians.
– Iran and Germany Sign 6 Documents of Cooperation in Rail Transportation.
Shargh Newspaper: Mosul war and Turkey position
An editorial in Monday’s Shargh Newspaper analyzes the Turkish position on the clash between Erdogan and Al-Abadi concerning Mosul and the Turkish presence in the Bashiqa camp. On the question of the reasons behind Turkey’s insistence on participating in the battle of Mosul despite Iraq’s rejection, the editorialist says there are several possible motives for Turkey’s policy. On the one hand, the writer states, Ankara believes that because of Mosul’s proximity to the Iraqi-Turkish border, Turkey fears that the battle against ISIS there, which it is involved in, could threaten Turkey’s security, compelling Ankara to participate in averting this threat. With the possibility of hundreds of thousands of more Iraqi refugees fleeing from Mosul to Turkey, which already hosts over 1 million Iraqi refugees, there is a possibility that ISIS could exploit this chaos to penetrate Turkey’s borders and launch more attacks there.
In addition to these concerns, the editorial continues, Turkey fears that the presence of the ‘Popular Forces’ Shiite militias in Mosul, a predominantly Sunni city, could inflame sectarian tensions, leading to further conflict and potentially to a bloodbath. In the view of Turkey’s leaders, Turkey’s participation in the war of Mosul could give rise to a more positive balance of power in the structure and direction of the attack on ISIS and avert sectarian war from occurring, even after the liberation of Mosul. The Iraqi leaders, meanwhile, reject any justifications for a Turkish presence in Mosul. They claim that Ankara considers the Iraqi war against ISIS’ terror to be sectarian in nature, which raises fears of actual sectarian war. Also, the editorial states, Turkey is not a member of the international coalition against ISIS allowed to engage in the Mosul battle, and there are, it states, valid reasons for Iraq’s distrust of Turkey. According to the editorialist, Iraq believes that Turkey has a role in sending thousands of ISIS members into its territory and accuses it of playing a key role in the Iraqi oil fields that were controlled by ISIS, and of helping sell the oil to international brokers. Before ISIS’ entered Mosul, according to the Iraqi government, Turkish intelligence had a base in the city, which the government claims failed to provide any information about the level of risk posed by ISIS to the Iraqi government. Therefore, the Iraqi government would prefer to exclude Turkey from participating in the battle for Mosul. Meanwhile, the editorial states, Erdogan has announced that if Turkey is not allowed to take part in the battle, it will adopt ‘Plan B.’ Whatever the plan, the editorial concludes. The results will affect the Iraqi government and the demographic and doctrinal fabric, as well as the religious and sectarian diversity in Mosul.
Ebticar Newspaper: Political Conflict Level
An editorial in Monday’s Ebticar newspaper analyzes today the political conflict in Iran at the level of political parties and different factions. The editorial says that there is currently a scramble to obtain political power in Iran, contrary to the claims of government institutions, parliament, and local councils, warning that there is no doubt that this escalating power struggle or fight to retrieve power lost by different political groups will have serious consequences. The first risk is the unjustified criticism of both the statements and actions of the incumbent government’s members, the editorialist writes, adding that conflict is increasing as the upcoming presidential elections get closer. These political disputes may be benefit citizens in some ways, at least in exposing hidden activities, but the political conflict in Iran has so far only presented accusations of financial scandals and acts of embezzlement of state funds. The crisis has not led to any in-depth analysis of state policies, for example, with no public discussion about the policy of rapprochement with the United States, which has not yet been publicly acknowledged. The editorial says that the subject of this political conflict must be brought out in the open. But, adds that this idea is far-fetched in Iran due to what it claims are political parties, which did not originate in Iran or through a solid social base in which each party reflect its community slide or even its ideology. There has not been any political struggle over the policy visions of Iranian parties regarding providing job opportunities, reducing the inflation rate, or increasing welfare rates, the editorialist adds. With all the political argument focusing on accusations between feuding political parties without entering into real debates on policy issues of interest to the public. If a party were to prioritize serving the interests of workers. Those issues would be addressed through discussion of matters involving workers’ interests, the writer asserts, adding that the same would apply to a party which prioritized the interests of employers. Despite all this, the editorial concluded, all the political parties focus on individuals rather than social issues or establishing any ties with the people or intellectuals.
Arman newspaper: Russian-American consensus in the region
An editorial in Monday’s Arman newspaper discusses the synergies and conflicts between Russia and America in the region. The editorialist states that there is a broad consensus between the US and Russia about confronting extremism and terrorist groups, with both powers believing that Iraq and Syria are appropriate venues for these terrorists to eliminate each other. The editorialist claims that Russia believes that allowing the people of Chechnya and Dagestan to travel to Syria is better than carrying out combat operations in the countries neighboring its territory until they are purged. On the other hand, the writer continues, America consider that the Middle East region is a suitable place for terrorists to wrestle with each other. Practically, it continues, America found that this conflict is no longer confined to the Middle East, but has spread to France and the rest of Europe. Thus the Western consideration has been changed. The United States has changed its view about “Takfiris” in Syria through its consultation with Britain and France, the editorial asserts, and has realized the necessity of cooperation with the Russians in eliminating them. Moreover, the survival of Bashar al-Assad has become acceptable to some degree to Washington, the editorial states, because he is nominally secular and will supposedly ensure control over extremists such as ISIS in Syria.
The second point of consensus between Russia and America is the stance of North Korea, with both superpowers rejecting the nuclear threat posed by the Iranian-allied Asian state. For Iran, before the nuclear deal, it had a similar position despite the different views in style as both superpowers are opposed to Iran’s having nuclear weapons. Currently, despite the fact that Russia’s position has changed toward Iran, it overall opposes the possibility of Iran turning into a nuclear power. On the two superpowers’ position on Yemen, the editorialist states that Russia’s position has been changed a small amount, with Moscow voting for UN Resolution No. 2216, which Yemen is exhausted for international peace and stability under the United Nations previous item. But, the following UN resolution toward Yemen did not receive the Russian vote. So Russian-American consensus on Yemen, which existed in 2011, has ended, with a divergence of views between the two countries on that issue. There are also differences between the two nations on Bahrain, with America supporting the position of Saudi Arabia on Bahrain, while Russia opposes it.
♦ Gunfire in the vicinity of the Iranian embassy in Ankara
In light of the extension of the emergency state in Turkey, twelve gunshots were heard next to the Iranian embassy in Ankara for unknown reasons. “Security forces in the vicinity of the embassy have pulled the trigger to warn a suspicious vehicle that was passing by,” a well-connected source stated.
Radio and Television Agency
♦ Calls for the British embassy to help release two British- Iranians
Families of two British-Iranians, Naznin Zaghari and Kamal Faroghy arrested in Iran have called the British foreign minister, Boris Johnson to take further steps to release them.
Earlier, the Revolutionary Guards Intelligence has arrested Nazin at Khomeini Airport and Faroghy that was arrested in 2011 and was sentenced seven years imprisonment for spying charges.
Fares Agency
♦ Arrest of 8 individuals on Sarmaiah bank case file
About hard currency case file, spokesperson of judiciary, Golam Hussein Muhsini Eje’i said, “Yaduallah Rozjink has been sentenced 20 years imprisonment and return 53 $million back to the government. Luqman Rozjink was convicted for the same period, and Rashid for 12 years with returning 2 $million and 300 $thousand back to the government.”
Eje’i added, “Kazim Bagh Shirin known as Baqiri was also sentenced 12 years, and the case of Saman Hassan Sultani has been repealed and returned to the higher court.”
As for Teacher’s savings funds and Sarmayah bank, Muhsin Eje’i announced the arrest of 8 individuals and the possibility for their number to increase, while some of them can be released on bail.
In his response to Muhr Agency reporter on Homa Hoodfar position and the possibility of suing the Iranian government and judiciary, Eje’I said, “Hoodfar’s case is still open, and the judge will return it back to court. Some defendants make complaints and will be taken into consideration if they are logical, but if the U.S. wants to follow up the case just like all its works, all who think the right of America have to reconsider their positions.”
As for Milt bank, Eje’i said, “The money referred to in this case is frozen; 16 individuals have been banned from leaving the country. So far, no indictment has been released and sent to court.”
On officials that got the Green Card, he said, “Monitoring and Inspection department is following up on this issue. Some cases are still unveiled if any of the working officials has dual nationality.”
On Narjes Mohammedi and some MPs that called for applying article 477 Eje’i said, “This article concerns evident cases; if any case is proved of violating religion by the chief of the judiciary, it can then be investigated; although, Islamic mercy should not be disregarded here.”
Mehr Agency
♦ Iran and Germany Sign 6 Documents of Cooperation in Rail Transportation
On the sidelines of signing six shipping agreements with the German Minister of shipping and transportations to improve Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports. Iran’s Minister of Roads and Construction, Abbas Akhawandi said, “A few bids have been tendered out to improve both ports, and the Germans have won the bid of the second stage of Bandar Abbas and the new stage of Chabahar.” He added, “Iran and Germany have invested 150 million Euros in improving the two ports, and at the same time, three important projects are being negotiated between the Iranian Railroad Company and the German Siemens to improve shipping and transportations at greater Tehran and Tabriz.”
Etilaat Newspaper
♦ Habibi: Cabinet reshuffle does not meet basic demands of people
By the end of the meeting of secretary generals of parties, secretary general of Mo’talifah party Mohammed Nabi Habibi said in his response to a question about the cabinet reshuffle, “resignation or expel of some ministers does not meet people’s needs. People suffer unemployment, inflation, and stagnation. The government has to meet people’s needs and necessities to achieve resistant economy through dedication and transparency, not by ignorance, delusion, and escape of answers.”
Jam-e-Jam Newspaper
♦ Rouhani: We cannot meet employment demands
The Iranian president said that unemployment is the greatest problem facing the country. “This year 1.2 million job seekers entered the labor market, but we cannot handle many applicants,” he added.
While addressing the conference on National Day of Village and Nomads, Rouhani said, “Villagers should not worry about healthcare, education, communication with cities, and drinking water because we have done our utmost for the development of villages.”
Rouhani continued, “Until the end of the term of the eleventh government, any village contains more than 20 families will have telephone service, which means real movement toward development in villages.”
Rouhani further called on media outlets to stay clear of spreading lies and false accusations, as well as creating unnecessary conflicts, divisions, and factions.
President Rouhani continued, “For development and prosperity, sometimes the government needs constancy and sometimes needs to change officials.”
“Headquarters of Resistance Economy has requested the Supreme Leader to allocate 1.5 billion Tomans for development and prosperity of villages, which would be a significant step toward addressing the unemployment issue of villagers,” said President Rouhani.
Risalat Newspaper
