Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

Etemaad reported of a surge in anti-Hashemi remarks by government supporters. The newspaper attributed the attacks to the upcoming parliamentary elections in the winter and Hashemi’s clout among a certain group of traditional Principlists. The newspaper also interviewed Tahmineh Milani, outspoken female director and a vocal critic of womens’ status in Iranian society. “My goal is to return moderation to the society,” Milani stated, criticizing custody, divorce and inheritance laws. Etemaad’s Editor-in-Chief Behrouz Behzadi reviewed the recent cases of controversial murders and warned about a devastating flood which could target Iranian society if the crisis is not dealt with promptly.

“Banks still refuse to grant single-guarantor loans” Iran published as its top headline, reporting of “the banking system throwing a spanner in the works despite the Central Bank’s official directive.” Besides the surprisingly critical tone of the government’s official newspaper against public institutions, the headline had an undertone that within the context of the recent scandalous fiscal fraud implied the government’s innocence against ill-disposed banks. The newspaper also quoted Ramin Mehmanparast, Foreign Ministry Speaker, who called for an appreciation of the sensitive regional situation and complying with diplomatic norms. The newspaper’s editorial tabulated the similarities between Bin Laden and Qaddafi, focusing on their mysterious death as they had much to say about their once cordial friends, i.e., the Western countries.

“Fiscal indiscipline is the major defect of the country’s economy,” Jomhouri-ye Eslami quoted head of the Supreme Audit Court Abdorreza Rahmani. The newspaper also covered a new bill passed by the Majles which obliges the heads of judicial and executive powers to deliver their annual record to the parliament. “We will form the new government of Tunisia in a month,” Jomhouri-ye Eslami quoted Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the Tunisian election front-runner Ennahda.

Predictably, Kayhan continued its extensive coverage of the Occupy Wall Street protests, reporting of plans for a general strike across the United States. “KFC has no license in Iran,” Kayhan quoted the chairman of the Center for Guilds’ and Traders’ Affairs, who stressed that any illegal activity by the international fast food chain restaurant would be examined.

“The waves of Islamic Awakening won’t subside,” Resalat cited former FM Ali-Akbar Velayati, followed by the subtitles “Middle East will distance West after the Islamic Awakening”, “The Islamic Republic calls [the recent uprisings] not an Arab Spring or pro-democracy wave but Islamic Awakening” and “West is trying to take advantage of the Islamic Awakening movement.” In response to Hashemi Rafsanjani’s recent warning about a shift to a parliamentary system being a threat to republican aspect of the establishment, the newspaper published a piece on its front page which argued that velayat-e faqih, and not the political modus operandi, guarantees the republican–democratic nature of the Nezam.

Shargh’s top headline reported of Iran daily Editor-in-Chief Ali Akbar Javanfekr’s failure to appear in the press court in protest against the non-existence of a (law-enshrined) jury. The rising price of gold and declassification of US’ intelligence on Saddam Hussein’s record during his 8-year war with Iran were also published on the front page. Iran's former ambassador to Jordan, Mohammad-Ali Sobhani, analyzed the election results in Tunisia and the context within which the Islamist Ennahda won the plurality of votes.

Tehran-e Emrooz plastered the upper fold with a smiling photo of Foreign Ministry Speaker Ramin Mehmanparast, whose interview is scheduled to be published on Saturday. The newspaper also reported of Beijing and Moscow’s opposition to a harsh-toned IAEA draft document against Iran's nuclear program and the emerging rift between Russia and China on the one hand, and the West on the other. Tehran-e Emrooz’ editorial questioned some MPs’ behavior after they reneged on their support for summoning Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the parliament as the first president ever to face the parliament in order to explain his conduct.

* 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.