Editorials
– Etimad newspaper gives advice to the three new ministers in Rouhani’s government.
– Arman handles Mogherini’s latest visit to Tehran.
Iranian News Roundup
– US companies willing to invest in Iran.
– Muscat and Iran boost ties.
– High-level Kurdish delegation visits Iran.
– Zarif claims that Iran is the top power in the region.
– Civil Defense Commander threatens of going after those ignore instructions of his organization.
Etimad Newspaper: Three recommendations for next Tuesday in Parliament
An editorial in Monday’s Etimad Newspaper today proposes three recommendations to help the newly appointed ministers in Rouhani’s administration to attain the parliamentary vote of confidence in Tuesday’s ballot. The editorial asserts that the vote of confidence in the three ministers is the first serious test of the Iranian parliament in its tenth session, and is required to gain the people’s trust.
Comparing the current parliament and the sixth, reformist-dominated parliament under Khatami’s presidency, the editorialist asserts that the current parliament is calmer and more keen to avoid engagement in controversial issues, which reflects its more balanced nature between conservatives and reformists.
The writer predicts that the conservative bloc in parliament will oppose the vote of confidence in the new ministers, while the Rouhani-affiliated Omid bloc if it is not thwarted by the Larijani and Kazem Jalali blocs, will push the vote of trust through by a majority.
The editorialist states that Rouhani’s recent reshuffle, carried out in coordination with conservatives in the parliament and possibly at their behest, is expected to generate some real opposition to the vote of confidence in the new ministers rather than the customary opposition for its own sake, as parliamentarians revive their political stances after a five-month hiatus which saw a state of stasis in the parliament. The editorial also warns against moves by some reformist MPs to call for investigations into post-election public protests following the 2009 election, which conservatives have labeled ‘the events of strife 2009’. Khamenei reportedly believes that any politician who fails to condemn these protests should be tried or possibly deported since the protests were a revolution against him personally. The writer expresses concern, however, that any reopening of investigations into the 2009 post-election protests could negatively affect the political atmosphere in Iran and lead to a major crisis which might damage all aspects of life in the country, suggesting that lawmakers are just attempting to avoid discussion of more pressing issues by diverting attention to former controversies in a search for personal kudos.
Jahan Sanaat Newspaper: Oil, settling political accounts’ victim
An editorial in Monday’s Jahan Sanaat Newspaper discussed the Iraqi government’s choice of an Iranian company as a partner in developing the Iraqi-Iranian Azadegan oilfield in preference to the French ‘Total’ oil firm.
The writer points out that the section of the Azadegan field in Iraqi territory, which is known as the ‘Magnon’ field, is the untapped oilfield globally, with predicted reserves of 500,000 barrels per day (BPD), while Iran extracts no more than 10 percent of the productive capacity of the field. The editorial argues that the development of this field was not based on the contracts presented by the Iranian companies as much as it was on a political settlement between Rouhani and Iran’s political conservatives. The writer further alleges that Iran has failed to develop its oil industry for many years because of large-scale corruption in the oil ministry, adding that some influential individuals’ interests have been prioritized over Iran’s national interests.
The editorial adds that Japanese investors traveled to Tehran around 15 years ago in the hope of reaching an agreement on developing the Azadegan field left empty-handed, even abandoning their luggage in Tehran after what many claims was a botched blackmail attempt.
After this, the Petro Iranian Company took over as a branch of the state-owned Nico group in assuming operational responsibility for the Azadegan field project. Together with the Iranian state oil firm in the country’s southern region, and the state engineering company, they managed to begin production in the fields in under two years, but due to a lack of financial resources, the field was ultimately handed over to China’s state oil company for development. The Chinese company did nothing with the fields, but there are rumors that it plans to sell them to Iraq, which has already begun drilling in the aforementioned ‘Magnon field’, that part of the Azadegan fields on Iraqi territory. Following these revelations, Iran canceled its contract with the Chinese company and contracted finally with Shell and Petronas.
Arman Newspaper: The solution to the Syria crisis runs through Iran
An editorial in Monday’s Arman newspaper evaluates the recent visit to Iran by the European Union official Federica Mogherini’s visit for discussions on finding a solution to the Syrian crisis. The editorial says that although the talks in Lausanne in Switzerland included representatives from Iran and some other Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, as well as from Russia and America, no European countries were represented; interestingly the editorial omits to mention that no Syrians were present either at talks nominally about Syria. Therefore, the editorial states, Mogherini’s visit to Tehran took place due to Europe’s wish to see the countries contributing to the Syrian crisis to play a part in resolving it since Europe is affected from two sides. First, the editorial states, the exodus of Syrian refugees to countries of the European Union is causing social, cultural and economic problems in Europe. The second, says the writer, is an increase in global terrorism, especially after the arrival of Syrian refugees in Europe. Thus, the editorialist continues, Mogherini’s visit is evidence of Iran’s ability to change the situation in Syria.
Remarkably, Iran is seeking to exploit the Syrian card to get bigger gains from international players, particularly Europe, which is going all-out to strengthen its economic relations with Iran. However, Europe supposedly prioritizes the need to resolve the Iranian regime’s position on Middle East issues and its atrocious human rights record, along with its economic relationship. Could Iran’s diplomats exploit the Syrian card to silence Europe on Iran’s part in other Middle East crises and on the regime’s, human rights abuses? Alternatively, might Europe be able to change the Iranian regime’s position, at least partially, on those issues by the promise of greater economic benefits if Iran cooperates?
♦ Muscat to Boost Ties with Tehran
After lifting sanctions on Iran, the Omani Investment Promotion Board and Foreign Trade Development Commission have established a ground base for boosting economic ties between investors in both countries. Sa’eed Bakhshi, a member of the Chamber of Trade, Industry, and Agriculture in Shiraz informed Irna News Agency that the Iranian businessmen need to build ties in various countries and be present in the international markets, which started through registration of Iranian companies in Oman. “Businessmen can register their companies in the Omani free zones with 100% foreign stocks,” Bakshi added. He continued, “The most important obstacle facing economic cooperation with Oman lies in the ignorance of each side of the economic conditions of the other.”
Abrar Eghtisadi Newspaper
♦ US Companies Ready to Invest in Iran
Executive Manager of the Iranian Petrochemical “Jim” Company said that the US giant companies are ready to invest in Iran. He added, “Foreign companies are waiting for the suitable conditions to start investing in Iran but Ethane and some other gas prices rise has hindered investment in this country.” Fadhli also revealed that the price of Ethane in America is $141, in Saudi Arabia $96, while in Iran is $240, which makes investors turn to Iran’s competitors for investment.
Abrar Eghtisadi Newspaper
♦ Jalali: Some Organizations do not Take our Warnings Seriously
Civil Defense Commander, Golam Riza Jalali said that a whole nuclear program could be destroyed by a virus on the internet. “In fact, Iran does not trust foreign products because Americans wrote in New York Times newspaper that two viruses had been loaded on a program called Netrozeus, which is stronger than Astaks Net virus,” he added.
Jalali continued, “Had the nuclear negotiations not ended up with an agreement with the six major countries; it would have been activated.”
Jalali also added that they are cautious about using the foreign applications in the Iranian sectors. The Iranian civil defense asked the Iranian technological companies to help in producing antivirus programs. “So far, these companies have succeeded to make SCADA program, which is used by Mibna company,” Jalali said.
Civil Defense Commander concluded, “Organizations that do not take the Civil Defense warnings and instructions seriously and use foreign products, will be taken to court.”
Arman Amroz Newspaper
♦ Iran Ready to Mediate between Iraq and Turkey
Iran’s Supreme Leader’s advisor for foreign affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati said in his interview with the Iraqi media stated that Iran is ready to mediate between Turkey and Iraq to prevent war between the two countries, asserting that the Turkish intervention in Iraq and Syria will harm the growing Turkish economy.
Shargh Newspaper
♦ High-level Kurdish delegation visits Iran
Iraqi Kurdistan MP in Iran, Nazim Omar Dhabbagh said that a high-level delegation of the Iraqi Kurdistan National Union arrived in Tehran yesterday to hold talks with the Iranian officials over the internal conditions in the Iraqi Kurdistan. In an interview with Rod, Aow News Channel Dhabbagh denied any relation between this visit and the internal problems of the Iraqi Kurdistan National Union.
The delegation is headed by Mullah Bakhtiar accompanied by some party members such as Omar Fattah, Sa’di Ahmed Beerah, Bafil Al Talabani, Khisro Kol Ahmed, and Yasin Sabir.
Alf Website
♦ Canada to Restore Ties with Iran
The Canadian foreign minister Estefan Maris announced that Ottawa is trying to restore relations with Tehran through the efforts of the Prime Minister Justin Trodo, noting that the strong relations between Tehran and Ottawa will have political benefits for Israel.
In his speech at the foreign affairs council on Oct. 17, Estefan Dion Sadi said that the federal government insists on playing a significant role in the UN Organizations in order and contribute to the peace processes in the world and restoring relations with Tehran.
Arman Amroz Newspaper
♦ Javadi Amly: We should not Stop at our Borders
Shiite Traditions Reference, Javad Amly said that celebrating the anniversary of Khomeini’s exile in Turkey on November 4, 1964, has two sides, internal and external. The inner one is to uphold the status of what he described the Martyrs of Iran, and the external is to achieve security, independence, freedom, and determination in the face of the Zionist arrogance. What Iran enjoys nowadays is the result of the sacrifices of the martyrs, Amly claimed.
The Shiite reference also argued that the Zionist threat would never stop, calling for going beyond borders but not only protecting the Iranian borders in light of the regional conflicts and the international arrogance and Zionists,
Bartarinha Site
♦ Two Americans write a Letter to an American Judge over payments to Iran
Both Marko Rubio and Mike Bimbo accused the American Judge Ling of ignoring their questions over American payments to Iran, while it is continuing the arrest of American citizens.
After the US had released the Iranian frozen assets, President Obama revealed that Iran and the US have resolved all disputes between them and Iran would receive its frozen assets with their interests from the US, which are considered by Iran less than its demands.
Shargh Newspaper
♦ Zarif: Iran is the Leading Power in the Region
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif claimed that Iran with reliance on the principles of the revolution is the most powerful country in the region.
Zarif made his remarks in the joint meeting of the liaison officers and commanders of the armed forces and police department, adding that current international developments have created a prominent position and turned Iran into a major player in the region.
Zarif also said that all conditions are available for Iran to have significant impacts on the international developments, which means that Iran is passing a very sensitive juncture that was described by the Supreme Leader as a dangerous historical curve.
On his talks with the European Union Foreign Policy High Representative, Federica Mogherini in Tehran Zarif said that both sides reviewed various issues such as ending the Syrian crisis through diplomatic means to meet the demands of the Syrian people. They also held talks on the implementation of the joint work plan by Europeans.
Finally, Zarif added that he and Mogherini’s exchanged views but not negotiating over ending the Syrian crisis, adding that Tehran has always stressed on fighting terrorism, a diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis, and respecting the right of the Syrian people to determine their future.
Jomhouri Islami Newspaper
