Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review

After the two-day holiday of Tasoua and Ashoura, when Shi’as commemorate the death of Imam Hussein (AS), the suicidal blasts in the mourning ceremonies in Iraq and Afghanistan were the top headline of most newspapers.

Iran reported of the “blood-soaked Ashoura in Iraq and Afghanistan”, one day after the Bonn II Conference, in which “Iran's active diplomacy” was conspicuous according to the newspaper. The US’ advanced spy drone’s capture by the Iranian military –“a sign of Iran's military power”-also appeared on Iran's front page. “We will defend resistance with our blood” the newspaper quoted Sayyid Hassan Nasrullah, who had made a surprise visit to the congregation of mourners in southern Beirut.

Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s top headline was Iran's downing of the US spy drone RQ-170. The newspaper also interviewed several economic experts on the impact of West-imposed sanctions and ways to offset them. Ashoura processions held by Shi’as across the world were also covered by Jomhouri-ye Eslami. The newspaper’s editorial, “US in Debacle” pictured a gloomy picture of Washington’s situation in the Middle East in the wake of Arab Spring and the failure of US’ dreams for a new Middle East.

Kayhan called the suicide attacks on Shi’a mourners in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan “United States’ Revenge on the Islamic Awakening”, Iranian conservatives’ substitute for the supposedly Western term “Arab Spring”. Kayhan reported that the fall of US’ spy drone in Eastern Iran has been the result of an electronic warfare between the Iranian Army and the Pentagon. The newspaper also reported of anti-US and anti-Erdogan demonstrations in Turkey against pressures on Syria. In the newspaper’s editorial, Hossein Shari’atmadari supported political –but not politicized and partisan- Muharram rituals.

Shargh’s top headline was a quote from FM Ali-Akbar Salehi’s meeting with his Swedish counterpart: “Attack on the UK Embassy not approved” by the government. Anti-Putin protests in Moscow and West’s reaction to the fall of the US stealth drone were also covered by Shargh. The newspaper’s editorial written by socialist economist Farshad Mo’meni probed the impact of the Purposeful Subsidies Plan and the liberalization of prices one year after weaning off the Iranian economy of subsidies.

Tehran-e Emrooz’ top headline was on the “coin duel between market and the government” focused on the outcome of Central Bank’s decision to burst the bubble in the gold coin market, and market’s reaction, which has mostly benefited middlemen who take advantage of the price difference, according to the newspaper. “Spy hunted in the sky” was Tehran-e Emrooz’ chosen headline to cover the fall of US’ RQ170 unmanned plane.

* 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.