Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

Hezbollah’s disclosure of the names of CIA agents captured in Lebanon following Iran’s bringing down of the American UAV RQ170 was “the second security blow to the US”, according to Iran. The government mouthpiece’s criticism of the UK Embassy seizure by students turned more explicit this time, as the newspaper published on its front page an interview with Nasser Nobari, Iran’s former ambassador to the Soviet Union, in which he argued that entering the British Embassy inflamed anti-Iran sentiments. Along with the stagnation in nuclear talks, focus on Iran’s human rights record, and the forged allegations of Tehran’s attempt to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to Washington, the attack on the embassy paved the way for the West to take further anti-Iran measures. The newspaper’s editorial, “Another Tabas”, alluding to the botched Operation Eagle Flaw, stated that Iran’s downing of the state-of-the-art “Beast of Kandahar” is a military, technical and security masterpiece, attesting to the IRI’s capabilities which will discourage the US from harboring any thoughts of military attacks against Iran.

Long queues formed before dusk in front of state-run banks, invoking the days when Hashemi Rafsanjani administration decided to set two different US dollar exchange rates, proving the futility of the Central Bank’s initiative to burst the gold coin bubble through selling cheaper coins. Jomhouri-ye Eslami spoke of “a new economic corruption” emerging as a result of fixers inundating the banks to gain advantage of the 60-dollar difference between the free market and bank gold price. Egyptian theologian Yusuf Qaradawi’s fatwa approving foreign intervention in Syria, while he has called for a crackdown on protests by Bahraini Shi’as, caught the attention of Jomhouri-ye Eslami. The newspaper’s editorial reviewed the EU’s trajectory from its formation to today’s economic crisis, adding that the US (wary of the European Union’s potential as an economic and political rival), Britain (thinking only of taking advantage of the Union without suffering its hardships) and the France-Germany axis (willing to dominate the alliance) have been the key culprits of the current quagmire the European countries are facing.

“We are calling for establishment of an Islamic state,” Kayhan quoted Yemeni protestors, reporting of the Western countries’ fear of Yemenis’ embracement of martyrdom for the cause of Islam and their tilt towards Islamism. Concerned with divisive remarks inside the Principlist camp on the verge of parliamentary elections, the newspaper also featured a report which maintained that creating a rift between the Principlists is a common strategy followed by both foreign and internal enemies. “Kashmar Fair Game and Digital Hands”, Kayhan’s editorial, chose a mocking tone to dispel the US’ and Israel’s claims of military and technological invincibility and reminded them of Iran’s (shooting down American UAVs, nuclear enrichment etc.) and Hezbollah’s achievements (in the 33-day war) in the face of the West.

“Approval of 9 resolutions sign of Israel’s isolation in the international community,” Resalat quoted Tehran’s Ambassador to the UN, Mohammad Khazaei. Obama’s confession about his inability to lift the US economy, along with another ‘confession’ by American officials about their defeat vis-à-vis Iran in electronic warfare, and forced holidays in Tehran due to dire air pollution also appeared on Resalat’s front page. The newspaper’s editorial, “Principlists’ Media Policy”, penned by Saleh Eskandari, called for the Principlist camp to organize its road map for the ninth parliamentary election –scheduled for early March-- as their rivals are intently following their media policy based on the latest psych war methods in order to undermine the Principlists’ social base. The enemy’s soft war has not ended, the author warned, and it appreciates any opportunity create a rift between the Conservatives.

“Medical expenses push 1.5 million Iranians below the poverty line every year,” Shargh quoted Chairman of the Medical Council of Iran Shahaboddin Sadr, who is also a Conservative member of Majles. The newspaper also published the signifying headline “UAV in Iran, Jalili in Russia,” to cover Secretary of the National Security Council’s visit to Moscow. “There are no red lines,” Shargh quoted Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad-Reza Bahonar, addressing the 2.6 billion dollar fiscal fraud which has implicated a number of MPs. The newspaper’s editorial was written by Hossein Raghfar, economist, on the current situation of the Eurozone economic crisis and the future of Euro.

“Shadow of death over Tehran”, Tehran-e Emrooz published as its top headline, next to a frightening image of Tehran’s over-polluted air, with the iconic Milad Tower barely visible through smog. The newspaper reported of “Zionists’ dark night”, when Israel faced 9 resolutions in condemnation of its human rights record in the UN General Assembly. New limits for foreign exchange overseas travelers can purchase is set by the Central Bank, Tehran-e Emrooz reported, as the former mechanism was filled with loopholes which fixers took full advantage of. The newspaper’s editorial criticized the government for its refusal to provide public transportation development budgets, the manufacture of low-quality automobiles and low-octane gasoline, which have upped the state of Tehran's air pollution to a state of emergency.

As usual, there was an oversight of domestic issues in Vatan-e Emrooz. Instead, the newspaper focused on the Euro crisis and Saudi Arabia’s instability as the biggest threats for the US, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Vatan-e Emrooz interviewed Hamid-Reza Taraqqi, member of the Conservative Mo’talefeh Party, who claimed that the US’ “virtual embassy” was planned to serve as a substitute for Britain’s “spyhouse”. Taraqqi added that Washington’s launch of a virtual embassy in Iran is also a confession to the folly of severing ties with Iran in 1980.

* 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.