Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

Ayatollah Khamenei’s message to Muslim Hajj pilgrims, on the occasion of the annual ritual of Dissociation from Unbelievers, appeared as the top headline of most Iranian newspapers today.

The Reformist Etemaad’s top headline was of course different: “Diplomats in the Principlists’ electoral circle” covered a press conference attended by former foreign ministers Ali-Akbar Velayati and Manouchehr Mottaki and former diplomat Ali-Reza Zakani, members of the electoral board of Principlists in charge of drawing up the winter parliamentary poll slate. “Artists can’t be conservative,” was the headline of Etemaad’s interview with towering traditional musician and singer Mohammad-Reza Lotfi.

Iran reflected Ayatollah Khamenei’s message to Hajj pilgrims, in which he called for Muslims to endeavor to turn into a global power. Ayatollah Khamenei called for unity among the Muslim nations and asserted that the West and Zionism are in their weakest situation. The LA Times report on the US’ shelving plans to impose sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank also appeared on Iran's front page. “They did not let us reform the banking system,” Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying, indirectly placing the blame for the recent fiscal scam on the opposition.

“Forming a strong power center in the Muslim World is the solution to recue Muslim countries from the claws of imperialism,” Jomhouri-ye Eslami quoted the Supreme Leadership. “Death to the US” chants in the annual ritual of Dissociation from Unbelievers were also covered by the newspaper. “Amano’s evidence is invalid,” FM Ali-Akbar Salehi was quoted as saying. Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s editorial focused on the causes and consequences of the fluctuating USD exchange rate, pointing to international sanctions and the Central Bank’s policies.

Kayhan referred to Iran's official response to US charges of a terrorist plot against the Saudi Ambassador to Washington. “The first witness is alcoholic and the second is an MKO member,” IRI’s letter to Ban Ki-moon stated. Kayhan also reported that “Seven plus Eight” has launched its electoral bureaus across the country, in order to secure a victory for Ahmadinejad-shy conservatives. “We are Muslims, we won’t approve of anti-Islam laws,” the newspaper quoted Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the Libyan interim prime minister. Kayhan’s editorial teased Washington’s efforts to intimidate Iran, pointing out that Iran's asymmetrical technique in fighting against its American opponent has been effective.

Shargh’s top headline was a quote from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in which he criticized the quality of probing the embezzlement case, saying that no indictments have been issued against the detained officials charged with complicity in the fraud. “Fifty-eight percent of medication expenses are forced upon people,” Shargh quoted Shahaboddin Sadr, head of Iran's Medical Council and a Conservative MP. The newspaper’s editorial was written by Sadegh Kharrazi, in which he called for “innovative diplomacy”. Kharrazi rejected the possibility of a war against Iran by Israel and its Western allies, calling the recent media blitz against Iran a ruse to influence IAEA Chief Yukia Amano’s upcoming report on Iran's nuclear activity, in order to pave the way for approval of tougher sanctions against Iran by the UN Security Council.

“Government’s intervention in the [parliamentary] election is unacceptable,” Tehran-e Emrooz quoted former FM Manouchehr Mottaki, who was attending the Conservative’s alliance’s first press conference. Tehran-e Emrooz also featured a critical piece on the IAEA’s upcoming report on Iran's nuclear program, saying that it would serve as part of the larger plan the US has to launch against Iran. The newspaper’s editorial revolved around the same theme, predicting that Amano –who according to the newspaper does not even try to pretend impartiality like his predecessor ElBaradei- is not going to publish a flattering report on Iran's nuclear program. The report –scheduled for a Wednesday presentation- will lay the groundwork for tougher measures by the White House according to the editorial.

* 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.