Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

06 July 2011 | 05:36 Code : 14395 Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

Tehran’s newspapers on Tuesday 14th of Tir 1390; July 5, 2011.

On Monday, the day before the anniversary of the birth of (the third Shi’a) Imam Hussein (AS), which is named the Day of Pasdar, Ayatollah Khamenei met the senior commanders of Sepah-e “Pasdaran” –the Revolutionary Guards (link: official English translation). As is the norm, newspapers picked their favorite quote from his entire speech. “Logical and tactful argumentation yes, controversy no,” was Iran daily’s favorite quote, the newspaper most likely presuming it as a mild defense of Ahmadinejad. In the opening ceremony of construction projects in the less developed region of southern Sistan-va-Baluchestan, Ahmadinejad stated that cutting hands off the oil revenues has accelerated the country’s progress-- referring to the oligarchs, his constant targets of attacks.

Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s citation by Ayatollah Khamenei was the same as Iran’s, though paraphrased to implicate a different meaning. “Leader of the Revolution: I’m not opposed to informative, logical and tactful argumentation against incorrect thoughts,” printed Jomhouri-ye Eslami as its top headline-- “incorrect thought” referring to Ahmadinejad’s ideas in the opinion of Jomhouri-ye Eslami. Head of the Administrative Justice Office’s response to Ahmadinejad’s warnings about vexing the cabinet and calling it his “red line” was also placed on the front page by the newspapers. “Judiciary knows no red lines in dealing with lawbreakers” according to Mohammad Ja’far Montazeri.

Kayhan preferred to choose a different passage, a less controversial one, from the Leadership’s speech: “Sepah has followed the path of Emam Hossein (AS) from the outset”. The ramifications of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrullah’s fiery speech against the STL were also covered by Kayhan with the title “Seyyed Hassan Nasrullah’s statements discredit Hariri’s tribunal”.

Resalat chose the same top headline as Kayhan. Meanwhile, the newspapers partially published Mehr News Agency’s interview with Sepah commander Mohammad-Ali Ja’fari, in which he warned of ‘the enemy’ switching to a new phase in its confrontation with the Nezam and its plans to launch a new wave of terrorist attacks. Haddad Adel, former speaker of the Majles, also spoke of “Three Principlist groups running for the election” targeting parliamentary seats. The groups are supposed to ally against the “Astray Current” –the euphemism for Mashaei’s circle- maneuvers.

The –diluted- Reformist newspaper Shargh preferred to focus on the response of the Head of the Administrative Justice Court to Ahmadinejad’s “red line” comments. Shargh also placed a quote from Majles’ speaker Ali Larijani’s interview with Fars News Agency on the front page: “Legal demonstrations are citizens’ right,” Larijani has said, while elaborating –or justifying- his post-2009 presidential election. Larijani’s long silence in the turbulent months ensuing from the election -while many in the establishment expected him to denounce the protests- raised the ire of many Principlists. From Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks, Shargh’s selection is: “do not fuel divisive atmosphere”.

The Tehran police chief’s news about recent initiatives, including a new ban on women entering teahouses that feature hookahs, was covered by Tehran-e Emrooz. “Differences in opinion and taste should be mitigated” was Tehran-e Emrooz’ opted citation from the Supreme Leader’s speech. Remarks by Sepah commander, Ali Larijani, and head of Administrative Justice Office were also covered by Tehran-e Emrooz.

Vatan-e Emrooz quoted Ayatollah Khamenei, saying that “A new chapter is turned in the world’s history”. The newspaper also covered National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili’s interview with the leading Egyptian daily al-Ahram and Jalili’s hint about nuclear cooperation between Tehran and Cairo.

* Note: Vatan-e Emrooz does not publish on Thursdays.

Trouble with understanding some terms? Check our Glossary of Iranian Political Terms.

Briefing

Hamshahri (Citizen) is the official daily newspaper of Tehran's Municipality. Its general directions in politics, culture and economy are determined by the mayor of Tehran, currently Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

Iran is the official organ of the administration.

Jomhouri-ye Eslami (The Islamic Republic) was known as the official organ of the Party of the Islamic Republic, founded in 1979 and disbanded in 1987. Currently, it is an open critique of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's policies and is known to be a mouthpiece of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Kayhan (Universe) is a hard-line conservative newspaper. Its editor-in-chief –currently Hossein Shari’atmadari- is appointed by Iran's Supreme Leader. Shari’atmadari’s editorials often spark off controversy and debate inside Iranian political circles.

Resalat (Mission) belongs to the moderate wing of the principlist camp. Resalat’s best known analyst is Amir Mohebbian, its political editor.

Shargh (East) is a moderate reformist newspaper. It was the most popular and influential reformist newspaper in its first period of publication which lasted from August 2003 until September 2006.

Tehran-e Emrooz (Tehran Today) is a ‘principlist reformist’ newspaper, connected to Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

Vatan-e Emrooz (Motherland Today) -which started its publication in November 2008-, belongs to Mehrdad Bazrpash, the thirty-old pro-Ahmadinejad politician who is also head of Iran's second largest auto manufacturer company, Saipa. Vatan-e Emrooz is a supporter of the president’s policies.