Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

“Unfortunately, the respected chairmanship of Majles has acted against the accommodating suggestions of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution in the process of discussing and approving the Fifth [Development] Plan, and has even sometimes disregarded the bylaws of Majles. Against the explicit provision of the Constitution, [Majles] insists on revoking the legal authority of the executive power, and in intervening in affairs such as selection, appointment and dismissal of executive officials and the controlling of governmental assets. After such bills are regarded as against the Constitution [by the Guardian Council] and the case is referred to the Council of Nezam’s Expediency Discernment, the presidency of the Council [Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohsen Rezaee] also acted against its legal responsibilities and even the Council’s bylaws to undermine the executive power’s explicitly provisioned authority”. This is an excerpt from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s letter on Monday to legislators, in which he complained about the frequent intervention in executive affairs by legislative and judiciary powers and the Council of Expediency Discernment [chaired by Ahmadinejad’s nemesis Akbar Hashemi Rafsajani].

Iranian newspapers also celebrated the appointment of Hezbollah-backed Najib Mikati to the premiership in Lebanon. Aljazeera’s disclosure of the Palestinian Authority’s record, and religious ceremonies in Karbala commemorating Arba’een were other headlines in Tehran’s dailies today.

Hamshahri

Repercussions of Ahmadinejad’s Letter to Legislators

Aljazeera Reveals: Betrayal by the Palestinian Authority

Million-Strong Presence of Pilgrims in Karbala

Iran

In Response to the President’s Letter on Council of Expediency Discernment’s Insistence on Ratification of Bills against the Constitution: Legislators object to Council’s action beyond its authority

In Search of the First Resignation Letter in the Football Federation: Time for Kaffashian’s [Head of the Iranian Football Federation] Farewell [after Iran’s National Soccer Team failure in the 2001 Asian Cup]

Najib Mikati, Resistance’s Candidate, Becomes Prime Minister

Jomhouri-ye Eslami

Washington Post: Hezbollah ends the rule of West-supported leaders

Leader of Saudi Shias [Sheikh Mohammad-Ali Amri] Passes Away

Full Text of President’s Letter to Legislators and Responses by Some MPs

Kayhan

With the Vote of the Parliament’s Majority: Hezbollah’s candidate becomes Lebanon’s Prime Minister

Documents on Betrayal By Mahmoud Abbas’ Team Disclosed; Resistance: They must be tried

Kayhan’s Report on Ahmadinejad’s Letter to Majles and Observers’ Reaction

Kayhan’s Editor-in-Chief [Hossein Shari’atmadari] among Thousands of People of Esfahan: The [political] elite’s silence a loud cry in support of Fetneh

Khabar

Government Continues Opposition to Birth Control Policy; [Legislator and Former Health Minister] Dr. Marandi: If the government can breathe now, it’s because of the birth control [policies of 1980s and 1990s implemented under the presidency of Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami]

Ahmadinejad Criticizes Majles, Judiciary, and Council of Nezam’s Expediency Discernment in His Letter: Legislators’ and lawyers’ response to the president’s letter

Hezbollah of Lebanon Forms Government

Resalat

March 8’s Great Victory: Najib Mikati Lebanon’s Prime Minister

Supreme Leader of the Revolution in Meeting with Families of Martyrs of Science and Faith [Nuclear Scientists Majid Shahriari and Masoud Ali-Mohammadi]: Martyred scientists brought dignity to the Revolution and academe

Ahmadinejad: Mutual trust between citizens and government the key to Purposeful Subsidies’ success

[Head of National Security Council] Dr. Jalili: West had no intention of reaching an agreement with Iran in Istanbul talks

Shargh

Najib Mikati Officially Introduced by the Lebanese President: Hezbollah’s choice designated to form the cabinet

President Protests Heads of the Legislation, Judiciary and Council of Expediency Discernment

[Iran Envoy to IAEA, Ali-Asghar] Soltanieh Suggests: Nuclear fuel swap with Russia, without West’s participation

Tehran-e Emrooz

Hezbollah Checkmates US: Najib Mikati Lebanon’s new PM

In-House Fashion Shows Banned

Political Figures Respond to President’s Letter

Vatan-e Emrooz

Najib Mikati, March 8’s Candidate, Becomes Lebanon’s Prime Minister: Hezbollah’s blow to the pro-West; Tehran’s Post-Election Riots Replicated in Lebanon after Saad Hariri’s Failure

By Aljazeera Channel’s Website: Proof of Abu Mazen’s [Mahmoud Abbas] betrayal revealed

Complaint about Council of Expediency Discernment’s Efforts to Restrict the President’s Authority: Ahmadinejad’s important letter to MPs

* Note: Khabar and Vatan-e Emrooz do not publish on Thursdays.

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.