Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review
Iran’s top headline reflected the angst among the government’s electoral campaign, with the mainstream Principlist camp strategy to return the Reformists to the bosom of the Nezam in order to push out of the game of politics Ahmadinejad's team, according to the newspaper. In its “virtual electoral contest,” Iran reported of the news coverage provided by Principlist media for the “funeral diplomacy” of Khatami and Hashemi Rafsanjani, and the process of normalization of the Reformists’ presence in the parliamentary elections after they were largely ousted from the Iranian political scene in the aftermath of the 2009 presidential election. The newspaper also criticized a number of MPs-- especially Urmia representative Nader Qazipour-- for his misogynist remarks against Ahmadinejad's advisor Fatima Bodaghi, calling on her “to mind her household chores” when she spoke against the unemployment payment in parliament.
Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s top headline could lend credence to Iran Daily’s worries, as Hashemi Rafsanjani was quoted as saying “all [political] figures and legal groups enter the scene of elections.” The newspaper also reported that Rafsanjani was elected president of Islamic Azad University’s board of trustees, another spanner in the works of the government to take helm of the multi-billion-dollar academic power house. “Second phase of the Purposeful Subsidies’ Bill will kick off this year,” the newspaper quoted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Kayhan reported of Washington’s failure in the secret Rome meeting (stage-run by Israel), aimed to set strict sanctions on Iran's Central Bank and its vital oil industry. Massive protests in Cairo against the Egyptian military’s brutal crackdown on protestors, Chief Magistrate Sadeq Larijani’s response to human rights claims against Iran, and Joe Biden’s amicable remarks on the Taliban’s status also appeared on the front page. Kayhan’s editorial warned about the fissure inside the Principlist camp amid efforts by the Green Sedition and the Astray Current to manipulate the political process culminating in the upcoming late winter parliamentary elections, reminding readers that the elections should not divert attention from the grand battle of Iran against Imperialism, and should not help the Green politicians to return to their “parasitic life” in Iranian politics.
“Human Rights resolutions against Iran are sheer lies,” Resalat cited Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, who stated that reports of mass executions in Iran are untrue and the average rate of death sentences enforced due to political charges [subversion] barely reach one case per year. “Reformists do not regulate their political conduct according to Khatami,” Resalat quoted Principlist top figure Ahmad Tavakkoli, who tried to soothe worries that the Reformists may boycott the parliamentary elections after former president Mohammad Khatami was quoted as saying that the Reformists “should not and could not” participate in the election.
Shargh reported of the closed meeting between the government and the parliament following the skyrocketing price of the dollar and gold in Tehran markets. According to the newspaper, a number of legislators left the meeting in protest of what they called “the abstractions of the government’s representatives” in explaining the cause of the soaring prices. “Hashemi remains the boss” of Azad University Board of Trustees, Shargh reported, featuring a photo of the victorious Hashemi smiling in his familiar posture in a luxurious armchair.
Tehran-e Emrooz’s front page was dominated by economic news. The newspaper interviewed Finance Minister Shamsoddin Hosseini on the details of the second phase of reforming the subsidies mechanism and liberalizing prices. The newspaper also reported of a possible 20 percent increase in the price of water. “Emiratis continue simultaneous negotiations with Iran and the US,” Tehran-e Emrooz reported, as the country is courted by both Tehran and Washington to get on board-- either with the sanctions or bypassing of the sanctions-- amid a temporary shock as the Minister of Industry and Mining announced a ban on Iran-UAE trade on Tuesday (a statement that was denied the following day by his office). The newspaper’s editorial called for rational approaches to controlling the situation in the foreign exchange market.
* 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 critic 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.