Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review
The Tehran metro battle between Ahmadinejad and Qalibaf continues. While government mouthpiece Iran has chosen a headline that speaks of metro’s heavy debt to banks, pro-Qalibaf Tehran-e Emrooz reports of Majles questioning Minister of Economy over unpaid credits to metro. Interestingly, the radical Kayhan has tried to take the middle line –for the sake of Principlism- and speaks of 3.5 billion dollar banking aids in the pipeline for metro.
Iran
Ahmadinejad in the Enthusiastic Gathering of the People of Yazd [City in Central Iran]: West must agree to cooperate with a nuclear [technology-wielding] Iran
In Khondab Nuclear Facilities [Near Arak in Central Iran]: Successful test-fire of Hawk missile system
Ministry of Economy [Shams-od-Din Hosseini] Announces: Heavy debt of Tehran’s metro to the banking system
Jomhouri-ye Eslami
Arab League Secretary General [Amr Mousa]: Tunisia revolution could occur in other countries
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: The law should be accepted by everyone
Successful Test-Firing of Upgraded Hawk Missiles in Khondab Nuclear Facilities
Kayhan
President in the Enthusiastic Gathering of the People of Yazd: Iran will not withdraw from its nuclear rights even as much as a needle’s tip (1)
Fear of Tunisia Revolution Contagion Brings Arab Leaders Together in Sharm el-Sheikh
Ayatollah Namazi: The majority of Assembly of Experts expects Hashemi [Rafsanjani] to break silence over Fetneh
Resalat
President Warns West in the Massive Gathering of the People of Yazd: West do not meddle in Lebanon and Tunisia affairs
Amr Mousa Warns Arab Leaders: Tunisia Revolution could occur in other countries
Hojjat-ol-Eslam val-Moslemin Seddiqi: Hashemi’s [political] analysis [in his recent statement] proves his detachment from the society
Tehran-e Emrooz
Majles Questions Minister of Economy [on Non-Payment of Tehran Metro Credits]
Charter of Principlism in View of Tehran Representatives and Political Groups: Principlism solidarity defies purge
Officials Should Call Back Their Children from Britain: [Tehran Lawmaker] Fatemeh Alia complains on non-accomplishment of a bill in Majles [which banned study of Iranian officials’ children in British universities]
* Note: Khabar and Vatan-e Emrooz do not publish on Thursdays.
(1) The phrase can be loosely translated as “Iran won’t…budge an inch.”
Trouble with understanding some terms? Check our Glossary of Iranian Political Terms.
Briefing
Hamshahri (Citizen) is the official daily newspaper of Tehran’s Municipality. Its general directions in politics, culture and economy are determined by the mayor of Tehran, currently Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
Iran is the official organ of the administration.
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 appointed by Iran’s Supreme Leader. Shari’atmadari’s editorials often spark off controversy and debate inside Iranian political circles.
Khabar (News) is a principlist daily newspaper which adopts a critical stance towards Ahmadinejad’s policies.
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.