Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

The suspicious death of Ahmad Rezaei, son of former IRGC Commander and the current Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, who made news 15 years ago with his abrupt leave for the US and his controversial interview with the Western media, attracted attention of the Iranian newspapers today. Reactions to Yukia Amano’s report on Iran's nuclear program still appear in the newspapers, while the gold medals collected by Iranian weightlifters in the world championship competition brightened the front pages of Iranian dailies. Tuesday is the Eid-e Ghadir official holiday, celebrated by Shi’as and marking Prophet Muhammad’s appointment of Ali, the first Shi’a Imam and the prophet’s son-in-law, as his successor.

“They intend to provoke division between the Reformists” Etemaad quoted Abdullah Nouri, the resurgent Reformist cleric who has returned to the political stage after years of silence, in response to remarks by Hassan Saffar Harandi, Conservative politician who had claimed that Nouri was trying to convince former President Khatami to re-approach the Supreme Leader in order to receive the permission for the Reformists to return to the political stage. A special investigation task force has prepared its evaluation report on Ahmadinejad's government’s fulfillment of Fourth Development Program objectives. The report may not be pleasing for the government as, according to Etemaad, figures on employment rate, economic growth, oil production and inflation rate show a downturn.

Iran's front page was good news, reporting that 830 thousand pensioners will receive their delayed payments. “The world’s heavyweight conquered by Iran” the newspaper read publishing a photo of Behdad Salimi and Sajjad Anoushirvani who brought gold, silver and bronze medals for Iran in the last night of weightlifting championship in Turkey. “Bombs and missiles can’t determine the future of the world” Iran quoted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who had attended the unveiling ceremony for the Jiroft Civilization cultural heritage.

“Majles will reconsider cooperation with IAEA” Jomhouri-ye Eslami reported, following Yukia Amano’s critical report on Iran's nuclear activities. The newspaper also reported that bodies of IRGC researchers killed during the deadly explosion in Malard, 20 kilometers of Tehran will be held on Monday. “Syria scrapped with American pen” was Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s reaction to the Arab League’s decision to suspend Iran's long-time ally from membership in the organization.

“The world has learnt from Iran's resistance against the West” Kayhan quoted Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamist Ennahda Party that won the majority of votes in Tunisia’s first post-dictatorship election. Anti-US demonstrations on the verge of Obama's visit to Indonesia, US’ media’s report of the increasing number of protestors despite the ‘crackdown’ and Majles’ decision to redefine Iran's cooperation with the IAEA were other headlines appearing on Kayhan’s front page.

Three million Saderat Bank accounts have been blocked due to conflicting information Resalat reported. The newspaper also reported of million-strong rallies in Syria in protest to the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria’s membership in the organization. Resalat’s editorial warned about the consequences of West’s contemplation on attacking Iran.

“Reformists congregation cancelled” Shargh quoted Mohammad-Ali Gharibani, term president of Coordination Council of the Reformist Front. According to Gharibani, the Ministry of Inferior has refused to issue a permit for the congregation, a move that bespeaks “manifest discrimination” according to former member of the parliament. General pardon and free election in Myanmar also secured a significant coverage on Shargh’s front page.

Not only the International Atomic Energy Agency, but also Britain may witness downgrading of relations Tehran-e Emrooz reported. The newspaper also warned about “bogus” mystic cults threatening educational institutions. “Coping with Britain Is Meaningless” read the title of Tehran-e Emrooz’ editorial by Salimi, member of the parliament who called Britain Washington’s poodle parroting whatever dictated by the White House.

Vatan-e Emrooz covered Iran's weightlifting “masterpiece in the final night” of world championship. “Hashemi does not let Mahdi to return” to Iran, the newspaper quoted the Rafsanjani family’s lawyer who added that despite Mahdi Hashemi’s insistence to return to Iran, where he faces serious accusations from the hardliners for his assumed role in instigating post-presidential election turmoil, the ayatollah prefers his son to stay in Dubai.

* 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.