Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

As usually happens, Iran's top headline reported of another economic mega-achievement, this time happening to be an 8-billion dollar investment by foreign parties in Iran's railway network. Iran also quoted pro-government member of Majles, Ms. Fatemeh Alia, who claimed that the finance minister's impeachment, scheduled to be held today, will obfuscate the 2.6 billion-dollar bank fraud. It could also be interpreted as a political move calibrated towards the upcoming parliamentary election, Ali added. "UNESCO opens its doors to the Palestinian state," Iran reported, reporting the US' failure to stop the Palestinian Authority's bid.

Another reportedly massive fiscal fraud blamed on the government, i.e. the 1000 billion Toman (~900 million dollars) embezzlement having taken place in the government-administered Social Security Investment Company and Civil Servants Pension Fund. Fiscal misdemeanors amounting up to 3000 billion Tomans –the new benchmark for mega-fraud-  would have been discovered had the Majles' presiding board allowed the investigation task force continue its mission, Jomhouri-ye Eslami quoted head of the task force, Soleiman Ja'farzadeh. "Reservoirs are filled up to 43% capacity," following the recent heavy rains, the newspaper reported. The newspaper's editorial scoffed at the idea of Washington setting a new "security architecture" in the Persian Gulf to curb the IRI' threat after its withdrawal from Iraq, calling it a consolation to alleviate the pain of leaving Iraq without achieving the desired objectives (after 8 years of occupation).

Kayhan focused on Iran's call for a US apology over its allegations of an assassination plot masterminded by Iran's Qods Corps. Intensive negotiations between MPs and government officials over Majles' decision to impeach Finance Minister Shamsoddin Hosseini, anti-Israel slogans among the Wall Street Protestors (collocated with an image of a protestor holding up a sign which read: 'Google: Zionists control Wall Street'), and Hezbollah's strong support for Syria also appeared on the front page. Kayhan's editorial mockingly questioned Obama's "smart power" strategy, calling it counterproductive, especially with regard to the recent "scenario" of accusing Iran of conspiring to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington.

As usual, Resalat chose remarks by its Editor-in-Chief Morteza Nabavi in a Press Expo panel, where he announced that the 'media branch of Basij' is set to lay out "an Islamic theory of communication." Resalat also reported of new agreements between the maverick Principlist group, Resistance Front, and Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani over drafting a single slate for the upcoming parliamentary election in the winter. The newspaper's editorial was a eulogy for Ayatollah Amid Zanjani, former president of Tehran University and a member of the Assembly of Experts, who passed away on Sunday.

Shargh's top headline, like Jomhouri-ye Eslami, reported of the 920 million-dollar embezzlement in two government-run agencies. The newspaper also interviewed Sadeq Zibakalam, pro-reform intellectual, on the recent debates over replacing the presidency portfolio with a premiership, and its implications for the future of democracy in Iran. In Shargh's editorial, Reformist lawyer Nemat Ahmadi elaborated on the legal proceedings of the impeachment sessions in parliament. Ahmadi also argued that according to the law, the recent fiscal scam is not an embezzlement, but a case of fraud.

"Qalibaf drags the British to the court" Tehran-e Emrooz proudly published, atop an image of Tehran's Mayor looking into the distance with his piercing gaze, perhaps signaling determination. The 20-acre Gholhak Garden in northern Tehran, a residence owned by the British Embassy for more than a century, has become the subject of dispute between the municipality and the embassy as 300 trees on the property were reportedly cut down by Afghan workers. Tehran-e Emrooz also reported that Mehregan Amir-Khosravi, a member of the Amir-Khosravi family who lie at the heart of the recent billion-dollar scandal, moved to Montreal, Canada a couple of months before the news of the scandal broke. The newspaper's editorial used tough words to criticize quasi-governmental agencies such as the Social Security Investment Company and Civil Servants Pension Fund for turning into "backyards for power- and wealth-maniacs", smearing the face of the establishment.

* 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.