Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks in his visit to the western province of Kermanshah dominated the front page of Iranian newspapers today.

Iran's top headline was a comment by Ali Salehabadi, President of the Securities and Exchange Organization, who accused unidentified groups of being upset with the five-fold increase of stock exchange value during the recent years. The newspaper also interviewed several government officials who stated that the government is proud of its adherence to the commands of Velayat, i.e. the Supreme Leader. The newspaper’s editorial quipped that Washington may accuse Chinese and Russian nationals of planning terror plot, calling the allegations against Iran a “clumsy scenario” and merely another phase of US’ smear campaign against Iran.

“Imperialism’s Iranophobia policy will have no effect in the region” Jomhouri-ye Eslami quoted Ayatollah Khamenei. Friday prayers’ leaders across the country also called the allegations of Iran's plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to Washington ‘bogus’ and meant to create rift inside the Muslim World. Jomhouri-ye Eslami also quoted Finance Minister Hossein who demanded that Mahmoud-Reza Khavari, fugitive ex-president of the Melli Bank, returns from Canada to refute the fraud accusations. The newspaper’s editorial argued that Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Ambassador to the US, was an ordinary civil servant, and logic denied any schemes to assassinate rank and file. While Salafis, civil rights’ groups and Shia’s have put the Saudi Household under pressure, the new allegations will only open a new front for the country; and that may be Washington’s covert intention, i.e. to weaken and put an end to the Saudis’ rule.

Kayhan’s top headline was a quote from the Supreme Leader, in which he asserted that Iran's increasing power has prompted the US to utter nonsense, indirectly referring to the assassination allegation. Wall Street protests and anti-government rally by Islamists in the Republic of Azerbaijan were other news appearing on the front page. “Beyond the Embezzlement”, Kayhan’s editorial, criticized the finance minister for downplaying the 2.6 billion dollar embezzlement and dubbing it “a fiscal misuse”, which fall at odds with his previous remarks.

“The third wave of leaning towards Islam has started” Resalat quoted the Supreme Leader. Resalat also covered the Western media’s reaction to the allegation plot with a headline that read “even Western media and politicians don’t believe the United States’ anti-Iran scenario.” Habibollah Asgarowladi, the Conservative politician, claimed that “Capitalism has lost the power to reproduce Liberalism.” Resalat’s editorial spoke of “the future models of political competition”. The author called for development of a new model, different from the Right-Left (and the consequent Reformist-Principlist) dichotomy, tailored to the necessities of the fourth decade of the Islamic Republic. Mohammad-Kazem Anabarlouyi also asked the remnant of the Reformists who have proved their loyalty to the establishment to review the developments of the past decade and form a new discourse which complies with Ayatollah Khomeini’s doctrines.

Shargh focused on the unverified news of Washington’s message to Tehran following the allegations of Tehran's scheme to assassinate Adel al-Jubeir. The newspaper also covered Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks and Ali Motahhari’s letter of resignation (in protest to Majles’ presiding board’s refusal to consider his summon of the president.) Shargh’s editorial, written by Ahmad Seif, was a critique of the utopian neoliberal economy which has aggravated the class differences in the world’s wealthiest country.

Tehran-e Emrooz’ front page included a photo report from Somalia, Ayatollah Khamenei’s criticism of Washington’s Iranophobia policy and rumors about the new oil minister reshuffling his team in the ministry. Tehran-e Emrooz’ editorial delved into Washington’s new anti-Iran scenario, arguing that diverting attention from massive protests against imperialist-capitalist system, convincing the UN Security Council to increase pressures on Iran and mounting anger against Israel are the key motives behind US’ allegations.

“Fighting until the Final Victory” was Vatan-e Emrooz’ top headline, extracted from the Supreme Leader’s speech for Basij members in the Kermanshah Province. “No embezzlement has taken place in the recent bank fraud case” the newspaper cited Finance Minister Shamsoddin Hosseini. Vatan-e Emrooz also reported of the Wall Street movement spreading across the world.

* 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

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.