Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review
Iran reported of Israel’s stepping up raids on Gaza and Egypt, and fueling the Syrian crisis as a prelude to its sedition a few days before the last Friday of Ramadan, which is commemorated in Muslim countries as International Quds Day. To mitigate the fury of religious leaders against Khatoon –the newspaper’s special edition on hejab- Iran published a picture of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad kissing a shrapnel-torn hejab of a female martyr of the eight-year war with Iraq, with the headline reading “President’s kiss on the superior hejab”, as chador is deemed to be in Iran. In his editorial, Ali-Akbar Javanfekr once again made a plea for fairness in judging last Saturday’s special edition and for a stop to serious accusations against the newspaper.
Jomhouri-ye Eslami covered Friday prayers’ call for citizens to show a massive attendance in the upcoming Quds Day rally, which is due to be held next Friday. The newspaper also reflected comments by a revered religious leader, Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani, who had called for the Judiciary to severely punish those offending the sacred principles of Islam-- an implicit reference to the Khatoon controversy. “Soft War from Within” was the title of Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s editorial, in which the author attacked the state-run TV for its serials, part and parcel of every Ramdan, which prevent people from going to mosques for prayers.
Kayhan’s top headline was another one of its “analytical reports”, quoting Foreign Policy in how the West has served the Iranian economy with sanctions. “Israel's latest crime in Gaza and the Sinai Desert” and the dismantling of an anti-religion network on the Internet by the Ministry of Intelligence –which “undermined the religious beliefs of people using different ruses” and was connected to European embassies- also appeared on Kayhan’s front page. The newspaper’s editorial, “Step by Step about an Initiative”, gave an account of the causes and motives of Russia bringing up its step-by-step plan at this specific juncture.
Resalat depicted a dismal picture of Europe’s situation with colorful images of cars on fire in streets of European capitals and the headline “Wave of Protests in Europe Arrive in Germany.” Resalat also quoted Habibollah Asgarowladi who maintained that “The 7+8 mechanism aims at avoiding tribalism” and Yahya Al-e Es’haq, minister in Hashemi’s administration and a well-known conservative executive, who stated that “politicization is the biggest defect of Iran's economy.”
Shargh chose as its top headline “Gold’s glitter blinds the eyes of the market”, along with a diagram displaying the upward trend of the price of gold during in recent years. “Proud confrontation of the Islamic Nezam with sanctions will continue with success,” the newspaper quoted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Shargh’s editorial was written by former fiscal executive in Khatami’s and Ahmadinejad's administration, Hossein Abdeh Tabrizi, on the economic crisis in Europe and the future of euro.
Tehran-e Emrooz reported of Western leaders coming to the fore to overthrow Bashar Assad, conservative MPs’ warning to those in the Principlist camp hindering unity for the upcoming parliamentary elections, and the rising price of gold coins (a valuable asset for many Iranians). Tehran-e Emrooz’ editorial elaborated on how to administer the economy under the current sanctions.
* 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.