Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

The new dust-up between Iran and the US was the top headline of Tehran newspapers today.

“Iran and the US at the boiling point” Etemaad announced, reflecting Iran’s UN envoy’s warning to Washington. MPs protested Turkmenistan’s decision to construct an artificial island in the Caspian Sea –planned to turn into a regional version of Las Vegas. Ali Motahhari, outspoken Principlist critic of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad submitted his letter of resignation to the parliament after the presiding board refused to consider his demand to summon the president to Majles.

Iran chose its top headline from Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech in the first day of his visit to the western province of Kermanshah. “The Wall Street movement will crumple the West” the newspaper quoted Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran also covered “million-strong protests in defense of Bashar Assad”. The newspaper also reported that Esteghlal and Persepolis –the two most popular Iranian soccer clubs- will be privatized in near future, their stock to be sold in the market.

For Jomhouri-ye Eslami, the most important part of Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech in Kermanshah was a different phrase, i.e. “people will dispense with any official who moves in the wrong path”. Most likely the newspaper read into it a strong warning to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose government is fighting at several fronts during the recent months. Jomhouri-ye Eslami also covered reactions to the new US’ allegations against the Islamic Republic, from Ali Larijani who called it a “foolish ruse” to FM Salehi who dubbed it as a “botched scenario”.

“The world is at a historical turning point; it is looking at the Iranian model” Kayhan quoted the Supreme Leadership. Kayhan also reported of the US Capitol occupied by anti-Wall Street protesters. Chief Magistrate Sadeq Larijani spoke of new findings in the 2.6 billion dollar embezzlement case, including tax evasion. Kayhan’s editorial argued that the new allegations Iran's plot against the Saudi ambassador to Washington are intended to divert attention from the protests in the US, and undermine Iran's growing clout in the region amid the Arab Spring.

Respecting the citizens’ vote and massive turnout in the elections; these are the two pillars of elections as Resalat quoted Ayatollah Khamenei. Manouchehr Mottaki, former foreign minister and now a senior executive of the Principlists’ electoral headquarters, also spoke of unison among Principlists, to soothe worries about the divisive approach of the Resistance Front. Citizens’ demands from the officials were voiced by Ayatollah Khamenei in his speech in Kermanshah, Resalat editorial stated.

In response to Ahmadinejad's criticism of flogging Peyman Aref, student activist who was charged with insulting the president, Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani defended the Judiciary’s responsibility to deal with public offense such as libel that is addressed towards the heads of the three powers. Shargh also covered Ali Motahhari’s resignation, Washington’s allegations against Iran and Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks.

“The world is at a historical point” Tehran-e Emrooz quoted Ayatollah Khamenei, “in which Iran and other Muslim nations can play a significant role”. Tehran-e Emrooz reported that five private and public banks are left without CEOs, while the new president of the Melli Bank, a major culprit in the 2.6 billion dollar embezzlement case, has been chosen from the managing board, which raises questions considering the boards disputed conduct in the fraud.

* Notes:

The editorial section of Iranian newspapers is not the work of the editor-in-chief or the senior editorial staff of the newspaper by default, but can be a contribution by experts and politicians (typically agreeing with the newspaper’s political stance.) The newspapers may also occasionally publish without an editorial.

Vatan-e Emrooz daily does not publish on Thursdays.

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

Briefing

Etemaad is a Reformist newspaper owned by former MP Elias Hazrati. The newspaper supported Mehdi Karroubi in the 2005 and 2009 elections. In 2010, it was temporarily banned from publishing (for a three-month period) by the Judiciary.

Iran is the official organ of the administration. Its current editor-in-chief is Ali-Akbar Javanfekr, former media advisor to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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 directly 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, Tehran Mayor and a likely candidate of the 2013 presidential election.