Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

Hashemi Rafsanjani’s remarks on changing the modus operandi of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments about the national census and the victory of Islamists in Tunisian elections were the top headlines of Tehran's newspapers on Tuesday.

Etemaad focused on “Hashemi’s opinion about the parliamentary system”, which implies disagreement, since in the eyes of the once-influential ayatollah, it could undermine the republicity of the establishment, i.e. people’s direct role in electing their favorite ruler. “Question in coma”, the newspaper’s other top headline, reported that 29 MPs have withdrawn support from Ali Motahhari’s plan to summon Ahmadinejad to Majles. Etemaad’s editorial was written by Abbas Abdi, noted Reformists analyst, who, on the first day of the national census, criticized the handling of official statistics by the governmental officials in sections such as employment figures.

“Citizens should answer the census collectors with accuracy” the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei stated according to Iran. “Sirte in ruins, Qaddafi’s legacy for his birthplace” was the second top headline of the official newspaper of the government, placing the blame for the turmoil in the Libyan dictator’s birthplace on himself.

Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s top headline was predictably Hashemi Rafsanjani’s remarks and his advice for the media which was “constructive criticism and tolerance for the others’ opinion”. Ayatollah Khamenei’s suggestions for the ongoing census, and Rachid Ghannoushi party’s victory in Tunisia’s election were also covered by Jomhouri-ye Eslami. The newspaper’s editorial elaborated on the role of Majles in fighting financial corruption.

“Islamists’ victory in the first free elections in Tunisia” Kayhan triumphantly reported, adding that “the Islamic Awakening has born its fruit.” The earthquake in Turkey, Mustafa Abdul-Jalil’s remarks in the liberation ceremony in Libya and Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech for census operators also appeared on Kayhan’s front page. Kayhan’s editorial called for the Principlists’ to “update their list of responsibilities” when the Islamic Republic of Iran is poised to take on a greater regional and international role in the wake of the Islamic Awakening in the Middle East and North Africa, and to review the threats facing the establishment.

Resalat’s front page covered the Supreme Leader’s census-related remarks, Islamists’ victory in Tunisia election and the recent electoral congregation of the controversial Resistance Front. Resalat’s editorial by Saleh Eskandari called for desecularization of the establishment.

“Weakening the republicity of the Nezam is against the Constitution” Shargh quoted Hashemi Rafsanjani. Death of Benazir Bhutto’s Iran-born mother Nusrat Bhutto, Iran's economic growth according to the Finance Minister and staggering driving tickets issued for Tehran motorists were other headlines of the newspaper. Shargh’s editorial, “Self-Imposed Sanctions”, criticized a recent decision by the Higher Education Ministry to ban publishing of academic articles in the Elsevier website.

The re-rising dollar price, controversy over the Green Card of avid Ahmadinejad supporter and Resistance Front Secretary-General the cleric Morteza Agha-Tehrani and former president of the Saderat Bank Mohammad Jahromi’s second letter on the details of the 2.6 billion dollar embezzlement appeared on Tehran-e Emrooz front page. The newspaper’s editorial criticized the postponement of Ali Motahhari’s initiative to summon the president to the parliament, a right enshrined in the Constitution, adding that it would debilitate the “questioning culture” and give a sacrosanct face to certain official positions.

Vatan-e Emrooz’ front page covered the election in Tunisia and Wall Street protests. Mustafa Abdul-Jalil’s promise about an Islamic regime to be set in Libya and the verbal fight between the British PM David Cameron and the French President Nikolai Sarkozy also appeared on the newspaper’s front page.

* 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.