Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

The Supreme Leader’s unexpected green light for a shift towards a parliamentary system in Iran (rather than a presidential one) attracted the attention of the Reformist media today.

Etemaad’s top headline read “Revival of premiership: a likely plan for the distant future”, accompanied by a quote from Ayatollah Khamenei that a shift from the presidential system towards a parliamentary mechanism could take place if the latter appears more effective. The 19 percent discrepancy between the official and real dollar exchange rate has paved the way for fiscal fraud on a much larger scale than the recent 2.6 billion dollar embezzlement, Etemaad quoted Head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce Mohammad Nahavandian. The newspaper’s editorial called the Occupy Wall Street movement a postmodern uprising, whose objectives stand at odds with the interests of the entire gamut of political loci in the US’ establishment.

“Nezam’s architecture may change according to temporal circumstances,” Iran cited Ayatollah Khamenei. The Supreme Leader added that the Constitution protects the right to change the ruling mechanism. “Freedom song at the border of Gaza” was Iran’s description of the prisoner-swap deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

In a Kayhanesque style, Jomhouri-ye Eslami quoted from a Western media source to justify its own stance: “The Guardian: The Saudi ambassador assassination drama aimed at killing off the Wave of Awakening.” Jomhouri-ye Eslami also covered the Supreme Leader’s remarks during his visit to the western province of Kermanshah: “Renovation in Nezam’s structure should be based on Islamic principles/in the Leadership’s decisions and practice, rationality should serve the principles as realism should serve idealism.” The US capitalist system is “rotting from inside,” the newspaper’s editorial argued, adding that it indicates deep discontent with class differences, the West’s failure to persuade its own people, and the hatred towards Capitalism.

Kayhan chose a strong remark by the Supreme Leader: “The European and American citizens will set the Capitalist system on fire”, complemented with photos from demonstrations across Western countries, including one that captured a car set ablaze by protestors in Rome. “Resorting to terrorism is what uncultured American statesmen would do,” Kayhan quoted President Ahmadinejad, who had remained conspicuously silent following the outlandish allegations of Iran plotting to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to Washington. Hossein Shari’atmadari launched a tirade against the West, “the sons of Fetneh” (Green Movement), “the sons of deviation” (Mashaei’s circle) and Hashemi Rafsanjani (“those who found their way to the top headlines of foreign media with baseless claims of people’s waning trust in the establishment”), calling on them to get the message of the warm reception Ayatollah Khamenei received during his visit to Kermanshah Province.

Resalat’s top headline was also Ayatollah Khamenei’s recognition of the possibility of having a parliamentary political system in the future. “Distribution of Justice Shares was absolutely legal,” the newspaper quoted Shamsoddin Hosseini, the Finance Minister who has been questioned about the stock granted by Ahmadinejad’s first administration to certain strands of Iranians ahead of the 2009 presidential elections. “The majority of the next parliament’s seats will belong to Principlists,” stated Mohsen Rezaei. “The CIA Princes”, Resalat’s editorial, reasoned that the fresh allegations against Iran are another joint US-Saudi plot to divert attention from what is going on in the West, especially the United States, which is undermining their establishment.

Shargh published Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks and an interview with Saddam Hussein’s Minister of Petroleum, Issam Chalabi, on the prospect of Iraq’s energy sector. Shargh also interviewed sociologist Saeed Madani who rejected arguments that Iranian society has become more aggressive during the recent years. The newspaper’s editorial emphasized how punitive measures have overridden verification of allegations in the saga of the alleged Iranian assassination plot. Davoud Mohammadi, author of the editorial, suggested a review of the ‘assertive diplomacy’ followed by Ahmadinejad’s administration and cementing popular support inside the country.

“Iran will give a decisive response to any inappropriate move by the US,” Tehran-e Emrooz quoted Ayatollah Khamenei. “The United States is at rock bottom,” Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf stated, adding another to the line of his derivative political remarks. The editorial, “The Islamic Republic’s Defense Principles”, elaborated that Iran will keep on good terms with other countries as long as its Islamic, ideological principles are not harmed. “The post-Revolution Iran does not brag about what it can’t do,” the author added.

Vatan-e Emrooz basked in the sweet pleasure of bitter news about Western countries, which means no more news about secondary events that the newspaper had to strive to turn into a media attraction before the outbreak of protests in the West. “Gladiators rise up in Coliseum”: an epic headline to describe the protests by Italian citizens against austerity measures. The newspaper also fully covered Ayatollah Khamenei’s visit to Kermanshah province.

* 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.

Vatan-e Emrooz (Motherland Today) is a supporter of the president’s policies.