Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

02 November 2010 | 20:10 Code : 9194 Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

Tehran’s newspapers on Monday, 10th of Aban 1389; November 1st, 2010.

“The eye of Esfandiar” is the Iranian equivalent of the Greek mythological “Achilles Heel”. Esfandiar had closed his eyes when bathed in the pool of invincibility in his childhood, a secret that cost him his life in the battle with the legendary Iranian hero, Rostam. Esfandiar Rahim Masha’i, Head of Ahmadinejad’s Office, is sarcastically referred to as the “Esfandiar of the Government”, a reference to his controversial remarks that time and again make the government and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the target of ferocious attacks, sometimes even by hard-line—and frustrated-supporters of the government. Yesterday, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani implicitly criticized Esfandiar Rahim Masha’i for his concept of the “School of Iran”, and the President for supporting him and speaking of an “Iranian” Islam.

Jomhouri-ye Eslami once again demonstrated its hard-line approach toward Arab states of the Middle East (once called ‘reactionary’ by the Islamic Republic), with its biting headline directed against King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, and merriment over the Shi’as’ vote in Bahrain.

Hamshahri

Suicide Blast in Istanbul’s Taksim Square

Public Transportation Administrators Demand, on the Threshold of Enforcement of Purposeful Subsidies: Seeking a solution for stability of taxi fares and metro’s efficient service

Iran

President Promises in Direct Talk to People on Purposeful Subsidies: The lives of the majority of people will improve

Temperature Falls 15 Degrees [in Celsius]

Jomhouri-ye Eslami

Saudi King’s Plan to Intervene in Selection of Iraq’s PM Fails

Shi’as and Independents Victors in Bahrain Parliament [Election]

Head of the Judiciary: Promotion of the ‘School of Iran’ or ‘Iranian Islam’ absolutely diversionary

Kayhan

240 MPs Underscore with a Statement: Leader of Revolution’s advice in Qom, a model for the nation and officials

In Direct Televison Address to Citizens; President: 81 Thousand Tomans [approx. 81 USD] subsidies for two months

Yesterday at the International Media Fair: Hot topics of the day in discussion with Kayhan’s editor-in-chief [Hossein Shari’atmadari]

Khabar

[MP and Former Minister of Health] Dr. [Ali-Reza] Marandi: Majles is gravely concerned about the background of this incident; Aftershock of the Dissolution of a University [=Iran University of Medical Sciences]

Head of the Judiciary [Sadegh Larijani]: Promotion of ‘Iranian Islam’ absolutely diversionary

To Confront a Social Crisis: Three ministers step in for marriage

Resalat

Statement of 240 MPs: Three powers take the Leader’s advice into consideration

President in Live Talk with [State-Run] Television: 81 Thousand Tomans for two months

Minister of Finance [Shams-od-Din Hosseini]: Dollar price slump will continue

Shargh

Ayatollah [Sadegh] Amoli Larijani in Meeting with Senior Judicial Officials: ‘Iranian Islam’ a chicanery

Warning of the Reformist Government’s Minister of Agriculture [Mahmoud Hojjati]: Imports with selective licenses will result in graft

Tehran-e Emrooz

Peculiar Troubles of Larijani Brothers [Ali and Sadegh]: ‘Iranian school’, Principlist Faction’s elections, Iran University of Medical Sciences…

Battle over Dollar Price; Government: We will decrease dollar price, private sector: dollar price should increase

Administrator of the Qom Seminary [Ayatollah Moqtadayi]: [Leader’s] Visit to Qom a divine blessing for the country

* 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.

Vatan-e Emrooz (Motherland Today) -which started its publication in November 2008-, belongs to Mehrdad Bazrpash, the thirty-old pro-Ahmadinejad politician who is also head of Iran’s second largest auto manufacturer company, Saipa. Vatan-e Emrooz is a supporter of the president’s policies.