Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

Mounting tensions between the government on the one hand, and the legislative and judiciary powers –administered by the Larijani brothers- on the other, led Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to form a committee for resolution of differences between the three powers, chaired by former head of the judiciary Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi.

Iran's banner headline was a warning, “Do not jeopardize national security with political disagreements.” In their interviews with the newspaper, Sepah’s political deputy Yadollah Javani, Conservative MP Hassan Kamran and pro-Ahmadinejad legislator Fatemeh Alia called for unity and following the Supreme Leader. In his trip to the northern Golestan province to inaugurate industrial and civil projects, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized Western countries’ economic and diplomatic policies. “The end has come to the era when imperialists decided to replace governments from their glass palaces” the Iranian President underlined.

Jomhouri-e Eslami dedicated its top headline to a quote from its interview with Mohsen Rafighdoust, politician/merchant and Conservative strongman. “The Astray Current views the maraje’ as an obstacle.” According to former minister of Sepah –a portfolio absolved after review of the Constitution in 1989- “the Astray Current claims unmediated connection to Imam Mahdi (AS) and says that they don’t need the maraje’.” In the meantime, Rafighdoust also criticized the government’s liquid subsidies plan, calling it “publicity stunt.” Ayatollah Jannati also indirectly warned against the government’s electoral campaign for the parliamentary poll, stating that “some groups are trying to gain votes to line up against the clerics.” Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s editorial, “As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”, blamed the tragic massacre in Norway on West and “their Crusadesque, anti-human mentality” while claiming that “elements of Zionistic thought were absolutely evident” in Anders Breivik.

The main headline of Kayhan was expectedly sensational, reading “Integral relation of Oslo’s bomber with West’s radical right disclosed: Alarms toll in Europe, fear from recurrence of Norway incident”. The newspaper also reported on the gas contract between Iran, Iraq and Syria to transport Iran's gas to Europe and Iran's disclosure of documents on Germany’s support from terrorist organizations, here referring to PJAK which has been engaged in fierce battle with the Revolutionary Guards during the recent days. Kayhan’s editorial “No U-Turn” criticized the responsible officials for not devising a “Road Map” for serious dealing with crime and preferring to bask in the pleasure of giving advices.

To portray a tough image of the Judiciary amid the discontent over the recent violent crimes, Conservative Resalat quoted the Speaker of the judicial power Gholam-Hossein Ezhe’i promulgating “Death sentence for 54 perpetrators of violent crimes”. The newspaper also covered an interview of its editor-in-chief Morteza Nabavi with Arya News Agency –owned by Resalat’s political editor Amir Mohebbian. Nabavi claimed that “radical and moderate Reformists do not trust [Mohammad] Khatami” and the former president is not the leader of Reformists. Resalat’s editorial by Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, Conservative MP, argued in favor of a recent bill proposed in Majles for sanctioning 26 US officials.

Shargh’s top headline was the Supreme Leader’s decree for Hashemi Shahroudi to chair the dispute resolution committee. The newspaper covered the news of permission granted to legendary Iranian traditional singer Mohammad-Reza Shajarian –who fell at odds with the officials after he supported the Green cause following the 2009 disputed election- to release his last album. Former attorney and main suspect of the Kahrizak case “Saeed Mortazavi is not cleared of charges and his case is still open” Shargh quoted Judiciary Speaker Mohseni Ezhe’i. The daily’s editorial was authored by the Reformist legal expert and cleric Mohsen Rohami. The editorial, “A Step for Further Harmony” supported the Leader’s decision to form a committee to untangle complicated relations between the three powers, as this is a responsibility of the Supreme Leader assumed in the Constitution.

Tehran-e Emrooz hit was news on the “Details of the country’s biggest economic corruption case published by the Central Bank and the judicial apparatus”. The newspaper reported seizure of H. M. K, “20 billion dollar economic agitator” and former Central Bank official with links to the “Astray Current” causing turbulence in foreign exchange market with intentions to wield the money for the upcoming parliamentary election. A newly-formed group in the Principlist camp, “The Resistance Front”, consisted of Ahmadinejad's dismissed officials, met the Conservative strongman Mahdavi Kani to “resolve misunderstandings” after media reported Mahdavi Kani’s disapproval of a new split in the Principlist camp. Tehran-e Emrooz’ editorial, “The Revolution’s Institution-Creating Power”, praised the Islamic Republic’s flexibility in creating new institutions, vis-à-vis “the so-called democracies in Western countries”, to regulate inter-power ties and preclude differences.

“Cold-Blooded Viking on Trial” headlined Vatan-e Emrooz, expressing its surprise with a maximum of only 21 years in jail for Anders Breivik if his charges are proven. The newspaper also covered the “Largest gas deal of the Muslim World” between Iran, Iraq and Syria. Vatan-e Emrooz also reported dismantle of “foreign exchange corruption” band, though without relating it to Mashaei’s team.

* 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.

Khabar (News) is a principlist daily newspaper which adopts a critical stance towards Ahmadinejad's policies.

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.