Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

“Uprisings of the nations of the region evince the certainty of the Qur’an’s promises”. The key phrase of Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech in his meeting with participants in Qur’anic competition in Tehran was put on the front page of all major Iranian newspapers.

Jomhouri-e Eslami, Kayhan and Tehran-e Emrooz published the Leader’s remark as their top headline. Iran newspaper’s top headline was support for the cabinet, bore down by the conservatives, by ‘experts’: “Continuing controversy equates serving the enemy”. “Iran exports fruits to 100 countries” and “Vice President and 200-strong economic delegation visit Iraq” were the economic headlines of Iran on the front page.

The Revolutionary Guards –the Sepah- is “the judicial apparatus’ arm in dealing with the Astray Current” according to Mohammad-Ali Ja’fari, commander of the force. Jomhouri-e Eslami also quoted Ali Larijani, speaker of Majles who called for tolerance before diverse thoughts among the officials. Larijani, once the media spearhead of the conservatives during the rule of Reformists, also said that “denying [the existence] of Reformists is denying realities.” Larijani who spoke to ISNA added that Reformists’ participation in the next election depends on how they behave.

The Syrian ambassador to Tehran believes that “Ayatollah Khamenei’s analysis of the developments in Syria and the region is realistic” according to Kayhan. Dr. Hamed Hassan also accused the US of trying to ‘simulate’ the regional developments in Syria to undermine a country supporting the Resistance. Kayhan also reported resignation of 53 middle- and low-rank governmental officials who aim to run for the next parliamentary election. The newspaper added that despite what the ‘counter-revolutionary media’ claim the number is insignificant, barely half the resignation made for parliamentary elections by officials of the Reform Government.

Resalat’s front page contained three headlines oriented towards the upcoming parliamentary election in the winter. From Ali Larijan’s interview with ISNA, Resalat picked “Ayatollahs Mahdavi Kani and [Mohammad] Yazdi have agreed to be the Principlists’ fulcrum” in the ninth Majles’ poll. Former minister of health in Ahmadinejad’s cabinet, Kamran Bagheri Lankarani –once called diminutively ‘like a peach’ by the president- has warned about “bogus versions of Principlism”, probably referring to Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei’s team and their promotion of a “progressive Principlism” brand. The newspaper also cited Sepah commander Mohammad-Ali Ja’fari saying that “People won’t forgive Khatami”, though is actual words in the interview do not say so.

Another former Ahmadinejad minister, Davoud Danesh Ja’fari, one-time minister of economy and a member of Mohsen Rezaei’s electoral team in the 2009 presidential election, criticized the president’s Purposeful Subsidies plan. “The real aim of Purposeful Subsidies” is lost, Ja’fari claimed in his interview with Tehran-e Emrooz. He added that empowering the private sector was the primary goal of the plan, while now it has watered down to payment of liquid subsidies to the Iranian households.

Vatan-e Emrooz’ has characteristically chosen a top headline different from the other newspapers. The newspaper’s concern is “What is happening in Libya?” and “The complex equation between anti-Qaddafi forces, pro-Qaddafi Greens and NATO in the quality oil-possessing country”. The lead photograph on the front page is also slyly one of Qaddafi’s supporters waving Green flags (a sarcasm against the Iranian Green Movement?) On its front page, the news paper has also published an editorial by the producer of the controversial movie Payannameh (Thesis – link in Persian) which revolves around the post-presidential election chaos in Tehran.

* 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.