Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

Iran’s alarming top headline spoke of turbulence in the business sector, to be caused by a new bill put to debate in the parliament, the “Business Improvement Bill”, which turns the Iran Chamber of Commerce from a consultative body into an executive branch of the state. The newspaper’s editorial also criticized the bill from an economic point of view. “The end to 10 years of occupying Iraq” was another major headline of the government’s official newspaper. Iran lashed out at the Tehran Municipality, again; this time at the managing director of the municipality’s “warm houses” –shelters for the homeless during the cold season- for expelling a mentally handicapped young man who eventually lost both his feet to frostbite in the blistering cold of Tehran.

Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s top headline also focused on economics. “Where is the Purposeful Subsidies Bill heading?” the newspaper asked, interviewing economic experts, including Ahmadinejad-appointed head of the National Iranian Competition Center Jamshid Pajooyan, who said that the bill “is doomed to fail” if it continues the current trend. Jomhouri-e Eslami also covered the “American invaders’” withdrawal from Iraq. The anti-Iran campaign of the US and EU and the developments of the Arab World also appeared on the newspaper’s front page. The editorial criticized the fiscal policies of the Central Bank over the US Dollar exchange rate and the price of gold, calling for a reform in policies conducive to graft, which bring overnight wealth for selected traders.

Interestingly, Kayhan’s top headline was a controversial Jeremy Clarkson quote. Apparently unaware of Clarkson’s record portfolio, the newspaper published in large font: “Democracy and human rights from the eyes of the British government; BBC: Execute all strikers!” Sarkozy’s prediction of tougher days for the Eurozone economy and Ali Larijani’s tough remarks on Britain were also covered by the newspaper.

“The British Government needed the wallop.” Resalat quoted Tehran’s Friday prayers leader Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, who also called on the Europeans to not cling to the “rotten rope” of the British. Joe Biden’s remarks that there were no signs proving the Iranian authorities were behind the Tuesday attack on the UK Embassy in London also attracted Resalat’s attention. Iran’s naval force’s plan to ply international waters, announced by Commander of Army Navy Rear Admiral Sayyar, was also covered on top of Resalat’s front page. The newspaper’s editorial spoke of the lessons Iranians have learnt from Muharram; that martyrdom in the right path is a victory, and that Iran does not fear to fight evil when the moment comes.

“Shuttle Diplomacy”, Shargh’s top headline, reported of the hectic days for Iranian and European diplomats following the seizure of the UK Embassy in Tehran. Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, Ayatollah Khomeini’s grandson’s remarks on the essence of Ashura, Ali Larijani’s support for pro-reform demands of Syrian citizens and a warning by the head of Iran’s Prisons’ Organization about the increasing rate of AIDS in corrective facilities also appeared on Shargh’s front page. In the newspaper’s editorial, the controversial intellectual Sadegh Zibakalam argued that despite the dominant view among some Iranian political groups which deem Islamists’ victory in North Africa elections as a defeat for West, neither the West nor Israel are worried about Islamists’ rise to power since these groups have proved their commitment to democratic principles.

Tehran-e Emrooz’s top headline announced “EU’s withdrawal from oil sanctions” against Iran. “Bashar is not alone!” the newspaper claimed, reminding readers that Russia and China, two major extra-regional powers, are throwing their weight behind the Syrian President to curb efforts by regional countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia and the West to topple Assad. European ambassadors’ post-seizure tour of the UK Embassy was called a “carnival of the European diplomats” by Tehran-e Emrooz. The editorial explained why Western countries are unable to set oil and banking sanctions against Iran, that is, fear from skyrocketing oil prices and the US’ and Eurozone’s economic crisis.

“US’ withdrawal from Iraq a national achievement and a historical victory” Vatan-e Emrooz quoted the Iraqi PM Nuri Maliki. The newspaper covered the Muslim Brotherhood’s lead in the Egyptian parliamentary election and UK’s failure in convincing EU members to boycott Iran’s energy sector.

* 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

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.