Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review
Top of the headlines on Sunday was citizens’ turnout in the nationwide rallies held in commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution: “the world saw, everybody had come,” (Iran), “people’s unprecedented turnout in the 22nd of Bahman rally” (Jomhouri-ye Eslami),“the world dazzled by the nation’s tour de force” (Kayhan),“the Revolution is reinvigorated” (Resalat),“presence in celebrations of the 33rd anniversary of the Revolution’s victory” (Shargh),“a legend of unity and power” (Tehran-e Emrooz) and “Dawn 33” (Vatan-e Emrooz, an allusion to Dawn 8, one of Iran's most successful military operations in the eight-year war with Iraq.) Except for the Reformist Shargh, newspapers designated their editorials to appraisal of the citizens’ massive turnout in the rally, which would prove the Islamic Republic’s lasting popularity and legitimacy among the Iranians, and would thwart the foreign threats.
“New nuclear achievements will be announced in short time” Iran quoted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who spoke on Saturday for the crowed gathering in Tehran's Azadi Square to celebrate the Islamic Revolution’s anniversary and, as is the convention, itemized the country’s scientific, industrial and military achievements of the recent years. The newspaper also quoted Ayatollah Khamenei, who held a public meeting on Friday, as saying that “the Muslim Ummah will retrieve its age of dignity and prosperity.”
“All the problems of our society stem from unethicality” Jomhouri-ye Eslami quoted Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani, renowned Qom-based marja’. The newspaper also reported of the release of seven Iranian engineers who were abducted by the Syrian opposition. Protest in Jordan and Yemen were also covered by the newspaper.
Kayhan’s quotes were as follows: “we will not miss the historical opportunity to defeat the US in the Middle East,” (Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei), “I announce from Azadi Square, that Hamas will never recognize Israel,” (Ismail Haniyeh) and “the Ninth Parliament should be the obedient, powerful arm of the Leadership,” (Hojjat-ol-Eslam Golpayegani, Chief-of-Staff of Ayatollah Khamenei’s office).
Shargh reported of a considerable step taken by the parliament in juvenile law, that is, abolishing capital punishment for minus 18 youth. Flogging verdicts for this group will be also ameliorated for juvenile criminals, according to Amin-Hossein Rahimi, speaker of the parliament’s Judicial Committee. Mohsen Rezaei claimed that the Council of Expediency Discernment, where he is the secretary working beside Hashemi Rafsanjani, had warned the government of a likely increase in foreign exchange rate in a letter submitted in early summer. The newspaper’s editorial by Hojjat Joudaki, Iran's former cultural attaché in Egypt, overviewed the Egyptian Revolution one year after the fall of Mubarak. Liberalism is the true victor of the recent parliamentary election, Joudaki argued, as it convinced even the Saudi-backed Salafis to play politics through parliamentary means.
The upper fold of Vatan-e Emrooz’s front page was fully covered by photos from Saturday’s demonstrations. The newspaper quoted Guardian Council Speaker Abbas-Ali Kadkhodayi, who stated that 70% of nominees for the parliamentary election, coming in less than a month, have been qualified by the council. The newspaper’s editorial probed the strategic significance of Syria for the United States.
* 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.