The Iranian Press editorials today handled the consecutive fires in petrochemical industrial complexes; calling for a prompt reaction to reveal the causes of these fires and if there is any criminal action behind them. The editorials also discussed the security, economic, and military consequences of Rouhani’s visit to Azerbaijan, in addition to the policy of combining and separating governmental organizations although the one year left of its life.
In the news, some newspapers handled the divorce issue despite the ban of revealing any statistics concerning this problem. Marriage rates decreased during the last four months, and the worry about addicted women, in addition to the gap between social classes in Iran.
Economically, newspapers handled negotiations between Iran and Mitsubishi Company concerning the purchase of small airplanes. Politically, Ahmedinejad sends a letter to President of the United States, and the electoral dimensions of Tehran governor’s visit to him, in addition to the statement of the head of Radio and Television about Rouhani’s non-acceptance of criticism, and the demand to muscle-flexing in the face of America concerning the nuclear deal.
“Economic and security strategies in Baku” Avrinsh Newspaper handles the economic and security dimensions of Rouhani’s visit to Azerbaijan, and the trilateral relations of Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan. The editorial does not see this as a strong bond between the three countries, but rather an opportunity to promptly meet economic, political and military needs. Iran believes that under the economic sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan can be alternative markets to exchange goods with Russia. On the military and political levels, the editorial sees the visit as a good opportunity to strengthen the Russian-Iranian coalition concerning regional conflicts, particularly in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. It is clear that the three countries are at the threshold of building strategic partnerships; perhaps starting from Azerbaijan can maximize the Russian-Iranian role in Caucasus region at the expense of the Turkish role that represents the NATO; Azerbaijan would achieve some gains such reducing the Russian support to Armenia in exchange of reducing Turkish presence in Azerbaijan; and Iran gains Russian security and military support in the first place, and military support in the Syrian crisis in the second. In addition to that, this is considered a step forward in competition with Turkey in trade cooperation with Russia after the resumption of relations between the two countries.
“Be honest to people,” Jehan Senaat Newspaper calls senior officials to be honest with people concerning the consecutive fires in petrochemical facilities. The editorial says that the Iranian people are fully concerned about fires that erupt everywhere in Iran including oil and gas pipelines with no logical explanation from the government. The editorial wonders if the reasons are the worn out safety systems in industrial facilities because of sanctions, or they were sabotaged? In fact, this is a serious security and political matter that must be tackled by the government and security agencies.
“Game of dismantle and combination,” Sharq Newspaper criticizes the decision of Rouhani’s government of restructuring the Planning and Budget Commission as well as the Management and Employment Authority. The editorial says that despite the importance of these two organizations among the government structure, the question that raises here is about the motive to cancel and restructure them after three years of Rouhani’s presidency. In fact, the Iranian regime does not have a clear vision for its ministries and distribution of work on these ministries. There are no established rules and strategies that all governments abide by. Each one adopts its own procedures concerning the combination and separation of ministries for no apparent reasons. It is possible that the minister himself determines the shape of his ministry and adds whatever lands and property to his manor. Indeed, party and family affiliation greatly contribute to changing the power of ministries and scopes of work. This administrative chaos is still continuing in Iran such as the call for combining Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Commerce after the Japanese Experience, Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry of Energy, as well as Ministry of communications and Ministry of Roads and Housing as if this combination and separation is the only solution for economic problems of Iran.
♦ million People live in slums in Khorasan
Member of the parliamentary social committee, Babai Saleh, said that there are one million and 220 thousand people live in slums in Razavi Khorasan. Babai demanded the Ministry of Municipal Affairs work and solve this crisis. He also added that had the Ministry of Municipal Affairs worked seriously on this issue, the number of these people wouldn’t have been this big.
Source: Arman Newspaper.
♦ The number of addicted women is very worrying
Deputy Commander of Anti-drugs Agency, Parviz Afshar stated that the number of addicted women in Iran has doubled over the past ten years. He added that there are no accurate statistics concerning this matter, but the number has doubled, demanding to increase efforts to prevent this concern. This issue has a negative impact on the society when addicted women give birth to addicted babies. Addiction is considered one of the main reasons for divorce, poverty, and other social problems in Iran.
Source: Khorasan Newspaper.
♦ Talks between Tokyo and Tehran about buying 20 Japanese aircraft
Assistant minister of roads said that the purchase of 20 Japanese MGR Mitsubishi transportations aircraft is under discussion between Iran and Japan, and will be utilized in some small airports. He added that the capacity of this type is 100 passengers, and is still under study whether to be transferred to investment sectors or to join the Iranian fleet.
Source: Khorasan Newspaper.
♦ The outcome of Ahmadinejad’s government, the increase of gap between social classes
An Iranian economist said that it is possible to revive the economy under the current circumstances of low oil prices and other problems facing the Iranian economy that resulted from the wrong policies of the previous government. He added that Ahmadinejad’s government has achieved nothing but a big gap between social classes, corruption in banks and in all components of the government.
Source: Abrar Eghtesadi Newspaper.
♦ Cooperation between Russian and Iranian scientists at Frodo reactor
Director General for Political Affairs and International Security in the Foreign Ministry, Hamid Baeidi Nejad, wrote that at depth of hundreds of meters underground in Frodo facility that some people think are out of order, there is a nuclear infrastructure under construction in cooperation between the Iranian and Russian scientists, which will become one of the most important advanced stations of the Iranian nuclear industry once completed. He added that in reference to the statement of the Russian Kremlin about the importance of bilateral cooperation in regard to stable isotopes production in Frodo nuclear site, this material has significant uses in various industries like medical science and treatment. He stated that several countries are concerned about stable isotopes production, which costs Iran tens of millions of dollars each year. Being a producer of such materials in Frodo, Iran will turn into a source and exporter of them.
Source: Sharq Newspaper.
♦ Ahmadinejad sends a letter to Barack Obama
Former Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sent a letter to the US President, Barack Obama via the Swiss Embassy in Iran, which it undertakes the US businesses in Tehran. The content of this letter will be published soon.
Source: Young Journalists Club Agency.
♦ The government has to show that its hands are not tied up concerning the nuclear issue in front of America
Secretary-General of the Islamic Coalition (al-Motalefa Party), Mohammad Nabi Habibi, stressed at the end of a session of party stakeholders, that the government should show the United States that its hands are not tied up concerning the nuclear issue. In addition to that, the government has to take action against the American practices of non-commitment to the nuclear deal, despite that Iran has fulfilled all its obligations concerning this issue. He said that sanctions were supposed to be lifted upon signing the nuclear deal, as president Rouhani stated to the Iranian people. The government should set up a deadline to implement the joint action plan, but if America and the West violate the nuclear deal, Iran should react according to what it sees appropriate.
Habibi also stated that despite it has been three months since the issue of astronomical salaries and big bonuses; no legal action has been taken against those involved neither by the government nor by regulatory organizations.
Chairperson of al-Motalefa Party stated that in reference to President Hassan Rouhani’s statement concerning the United States non-commitments to its obligations, Rouhani has to give a clear vision of what will happen to the rest of the nuclear negotiations with the United States and the promises he made to the Iranian people in this regard. He added that Obama has recently talked about implementing strict sanctions on Iran, asking about the response of Rouhani concerning that?
According to Fares news agency, Rouhani stated, in reference to the governmental legislations of oil contracts that the most important principle here is transparency, adding that the more transparent the government is to people and critics, the more reliable and trustworthy it will be.
Source: Kayhan.
♦ Judiciary spokesperson: Shahram Amiri was executed on charges of selling military secrets to America
Judiciary spokesperson, Mohsen Ajai, confirmed the execution of Shahram Amiri. He said that Shahram Amiri had transferred military secrets and information to the American enemy.
Ajaia also said that they fled Amiri to Saudi Arabia and thought that the Iranians were not aware of that, but the Iranian Republic was aware of all details of this issue and put all his movements under a microscope. Amiri was subject to trial in the presence of a lawyer o him and was sentenced to death by the Court of First Instance, although he and his relatives released false news that he was sentenced ten years in prison.
Source: Avrinsh.
♦ Denying the abolition of visas between Iran and Azerbaijan
Some media channels stated that during the visit of President Hassan Rouhani to Azerbaijan, it was agreed upon the abolition of visas between the two countries.
It is worth noting that the Republic of Azerbaijan has not abolished visas for Iranians but has only facilitated getting these visas at the airport.
Source: Jam-e Jam.
Rouhani is not used to criticism
Former chief of television and radio, Ezzatollah Dherghami, said that President Hassan Rouhani is not used to accepting a second opinion; although, Rouhani, admitted the existence of astronomical salary crisis. On the other hand, judicially officials declared that they are waiting for the government’s report about the astronomical salaries after it has turned into a political argument.
Source: Degerban.
♦ Petrochemicals fires report in the Council
Chairperson of Energy Committee of Shura Council, Feridun Hassanond said that the Commission would present a report on the recent fires in the petrochemical complexes next week, which will handle labor, management, insurance and various issues. He added that a delegation from the Committee was sent to Janavah area and the port of Bushehr for investigating the reasons of the recent fires in Complexes of petrochemicals in this region. In addition, it is scheduled that another delegation headed by the chairperson of gas and petrochemicals committee to visit this area in order to prepare a comprehensive report about fires in Mahshahr and conditions of that region.
Source: Arman Emrouz Newspaper.
♦ Brigadier Jalali: Iranian officials will be using locally- manufactured phones
Head of Civil Defense Foundation, Brigadier General Gholam Reza Jalali, said, on the margins of the visit of members of the National Security Committee in the Iranian parliament that they have proposed the mechanisms of using smartphones on the agenda of the permanent Commission of civil defense that approved the proposal.
Jalali added that there are some good achievements in this concern saying, “Ministries of Defense and Industry have been assigned to produce local smartphones in collaboration with Ministry of Communications and Civil Defense Foundation.”
Source: Mehr News Agency.
