Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Latin American tour and Turkey’s brokering between Iran and the West in nuclear negotiations were the top headlines of Tehran's newspapers today.

Amid the angst over skyrocketing USD exchange rate which has turned the Central Bank target of criticism from politicians and economic experts, Iran daily slammed calls for upping the bank’s interest rates in order to sponge liquidity and control the foreign currency market, arguing that it would undermine the national economy. “Nations’ awakening in the US’ backyard” was Iran's headline for the president’s visit to Latin America.

Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s top headline was Ahmet Davutoglu’s announcement that Turkey will host the next round of negotiations between Iran and the West over Tehran's nuclear program. The newspaper also reported that Majles’ Speaker Ali Larijani will pay a visit to Turkey on Wednesday, after the Turkish FM spoke to Iranians in his visit to Tehran three days ago.

“Latin America: Tehran's backyard or Washington’s” Kayhan asked pompously on its front page. The newspaper reported of three other military drills by the Iranian Army and the Revolutionary Guards in the pipeline and also interviewed economists on the recent turbulence in the foreign exchange market in Tehran. Kayhan also reported of terrorists’ attack on the population gathering for the funeral ceremony of Damascus’ terrorist attacks.

In his press conference, Ali Larijani announced Majles’ agreement with increasing the lower class’ subsidy quota. Resalat also covered the news of the parliament’s session scheduled for Sunday to discuss the foreign currency exchange problems with Central Bank Chairman Mahmoud Bahmani, cancelled as Bahmani failed to show at the meeting. “Bahmani’s excuse was not convincing” Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad-Reza Bahonar complained. Resalat also quoted a security official who reported of disbanding a subversionist network planning to create turmoil on the verge of parliamentary election.

“A day for no-shows” Shargh selected as its top headline, reporting the non-appearance of Central Bank chairman and finance and industry ministers in the session hosted by the parliament to discuss USD fluctuation. “Tehran's message received, consultation with Turkey started” Shargh quoted US Department of State Spokeswoman Victoria Noland, while Tehran-Washington tension has intensified over Iran's threat to block the Strait of Hormuz should sanctions against Iran's oil exports become effective. Shargh also spoke of “Sailors’ Diplomacy” after a friendly verbal exchange between Tehran and Washington following the rescue of Iranian sailors from the hands of Somalian pirates by the US Navy.

Tehran-e Emrooz reported of Mahmoud Bahmani’s possible resignation if his call for increasing the interest rate falls on deaf ears. The newspaper also featured a report on the controversial dissolution of the Iranian House of Cinema by the Ministry of Culture, and the complicated web of political reactions to the decision. Tehran-e Emrooz also published a supportive report on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Latin American tour. Appearing on the front page was also an interview with Conservative female MP Zohreh Elahian who called for allocation of more seats to women in the Iranian parliament.

* 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.