Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review
Ahmadinejad’s Tuesday letter to legislators predictably sparked controversy and compelled four key members of parliament to write back to the president, calling on him to avoid creating tension. The Egyptian uprising is yet again interpreted as a version of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution by the conservative media. Aljazeera’s Palestine Papers, which linked Mahmoud Abbas to Mir Hossein Mousavi, also grabbed the attention of anti-Mousavi newspapers.
Hamshahri
Egypt Craving the Dismissal of Mubarak
Begins in Farvardin [Late March]; Second Phase of Fundamental Transformation of Southern Tehran
4 Key Legislators’ Letter to the President [in Response to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Letter on Letter that Criticized the Parliament and Council of Expediency Discernment]
Iran
President in Meeting with Correspondents, Administrators and Staff of Iran Cultural-Press Institute: Stand firm in defending justice and human rights and dignity
Aljazeera Reveals: Mahmoud Abbas’ 50 million dollar gift to Mir Hossein Mousavi
Legal Advisor to the President [Gholam-Hossein Elham]: There is no guarantee that Expediency Discernment Council’s attitude would not substantially alter the Constitution
Jomhouri-ye Eslami
A Friday of Rage in the Land of Pharaohs, Egyptian Dictator on the Verge of Overthrow
4 Chief Principlist MPs’ Letter to Ahmadinejad: Mr. President! Avoid any contentious and controversial measure
Kayhan
The Wave of Islamic Enlightenment Moves On in the Arab World: National rage in Egypt, Mubarak one step away from fall
Amid the Grief of Mourners: The body of Saudi Shi’a’s leader buried in the Baqi’ Cemetery (1)
In Tehran’s Friday Prayer Sermon; Ayatollah [Ahmad] Khatami: Current developments of the Arab World aftershocks of the Islamic Revolution [of Iran]
Khabar
[Key Principlist MPs] Abu-Torabi, Tavakkoli and Bahonar Take Up the Pen: Reactions to the president’s letter continue
Surfing People’s Rage (2)
Resalat
Ayatollah Khatami Comments on the Developments in Egypt, Yemen and Tunisia: Formation of the new Middle East revolving around Islam
Protests Against Pharaoh-Style Rule in Egypt Continue: Million-strong demonstrations of the Egyptian nation after Friday prayers
Seyyed Morteza Nabavi: Opposing people cannot benefit [Akbar] Hashemi [Rafsanjani]
Shargh
Mubarak Target of Egypt’s “Rage”; Military Lose Control of the Streets, People Cordon Radio and TV [Station]
Majles Replies to the President’s Letter
Tehran-e Emrooz
Four Key Figures of Majles Demand in a Letter to the President: Avoid tension in the political atmosphere
The Largest Recreational Complex Planned to Be Built in Southern Tehran
Martial Law Imposed in Egypt; Mubarak Resorts to the Army
Vatan-e Emrooz
Aljazeera Discloses Documents on Donation of PA Chief to Iranian Fetneh Perpetrators: 50,000,000 Dollars, Abu Mazen’s aid to [Mir Hossein] Musavi
As Popular Protests Gain Momentum in Egypt: Mubarak flees Cairo
130 Countries of the World Send a Message to P5+1: Iran becomes president of G77 (3)
* Note: Khabar and Vatan-e Emrooz do not publish on Thursdays.
(1) Baqi’ is a respected cemetery in the holy city of Medina, Saudi Arabia, where lie the bodies of four Shi’a Imams and other respected figures of the early days of Islam. Visiting the shrines, banned by the Saudi government, is a permanent source of contention between Shi’as and Wahhabis.
(2) Refers to Mohammad ElBaradei
(3) Assembly of 130 developing countries
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.