Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review
Ayatollah Khamenei’s outright rejection of Palestine’s statehood bid –since it implies recognition of Israel as a legitimate state- was the top headline of most Iranian newspapers today.
Etemaad published the Supreme Leader’s full speech in the Fifth International Conference on the Palestinian Intifada. “Iranian missiles will fulfill their duty whenever the enemy poses a threat”, the concluding sentence of Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech, was selected by the newspaper as the headline. Etemaad also interviewed Sadegh Kharrazi-- former deputy foreign minister who held key positions during the 8-year war between Iran and Iraq-- on Iran's diplomacy, media and propaganda approach during the war. Kharrazi, who has proved ably mordant when it comes to diplomatic disputes, chastised those who “forge” war memories for themselves, singling out former FM Manouchehr Mottaki –with whom he frequently trades barbs- for publishing personal photos of himself standing next to war memorials, something that “noble men would never do”. Etemaad’s editorial cast a different view on the 2.6 billion-dollar embezzlement case. A corrupt, non-productive state sector, low income, and graft lead to such scandals, according to Bahman Armani.
“Palestine split plan is rejected,” Iran quoted Ayatollah Khamenei, decorating the front page with a photo of Hamas leader Khaled Mashal embracing Ayatollah Khamenei. “Discard factional disputes and personal feuds,” pleads Central Bank Chairman Mahmoud Bahmani, in reaction to the bedlam created in the wake of the embezzlement at Saderat Bank. “Those who tarnish others’ good name should answer before God [on Judgment Day]” he added. “The Forgotten Dignity”, Iran's editorial, complained about the sound and the fury surrounding the 2.6 billion dollar embezzlement scandal, arguing that it will put the reputation of the Islamic Republic at stake and it undermines the people’s trust in the Nezam.
The long-awaited liquid subsidies for production agencies was a chimera, Jomhouri-ye Eslami claimed, quoting a senior-ranking official of the Ministry of Industry that such anticipations were a “misunderstanding”, and there were no plans for supporting those agencies from the beginning. In Majles, Head of the Special Committee on Article 44 (privatization of state-run agencies) called for the resignation of the Central Bank president. Jomhouri-ye Eslami supported Ayatollah Khamenei’s Palestine conference speech and slammed Mahmoud Abbas for submitting a statehood bid, which means ceding 78% of the historical land of Palestine to Israelis.
“Palestine is from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea; No Split”: Kayhan’s choice as its top headline, reflecting the Supreme Leader’s strong words. Kayhan also reported that Vali Zarrabieh, president of the privately owned Saman Bank, has been dismissed by Mahmoud Bahmani, the head of the Central Bank. The newspaper covered Wall Street protests with one of its trademark headlines: “Americans! Unite against the dictatorship of Capitalism”. “Holding two major international conferences in a two-week span … on Islamic Awakening and Support for the Palestinian Intifada has deep implications. They indicate the intertwinement of the Islamic Middle East and the critical role of Iran and Palestine,” Mohammad Iran argued in the newspaper’s editorial “This Is Tehran, the Capital of Revolution”, adding that “the pulse of Middle East’s Islamic intifada, in the name of dear Palestine and against the Quds occupiers quickens, as the vital signs of the occupiers are on decline.’
Resalat focused on Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech and its reverberation in the international media. “One Step Towards the Liberation of Quds”, the editorial, asserted that the new generation of Palestinians does not tolerate the reconciliatory approach of its older generation leaders. Amid the uprising in Arab countries, this younger generation should devote itself to the cause of liberating Quds (Jerusalem) from the hands of Zionists, argued the author.
Shargh interpreted Iran daily’s Saturday editorial by Ali-Akbar Javanfekr as a threat to sue Chief Magistrate Sadeq Larijani. The newspaper reflected Hashemi Rafsanjani’s expression of sorrow and concern over the billion-dollar bank fraud. Shargh’s preferred quote from Ayatollah Khamenei’s yesterday speech was different from other newspapers: “Referendum for the Palestinian nation, Iran's plan to solve the Palestinian problem”. It also published a quote blacked out by the Principlist newspapers: “Khaled Mashal: We count on Abu Mazen’s mettle.” Shargh’s editorial elaborated on the recent tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan following the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, and Islamabad’s volatility while facing simultaneous pressure from India, Afghanistan and the US over its support for terrorist groups.
“Palestine’s historic day transpires in Tehran,” Tehran-e Emrooz asserted. Tehran-e Emrooz also focused on Melli Bank President Mahmoud-Reza Khavari’s refusal to return to Iran and the publication of two contradictory letters with his signature, the first assumed to be his resignation letter, while the second one promises his return. According to Tehran-e Emrooz, the resignation letter was actually fabricated by the Minister of Economy to alleviate public pressure following the scandal. Tehran's Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf defended the financial records of his office, describing them as “transparent”, while criticizing the current political disputes over the embezzlement case, stating that that they will undermine public trust. The editorial was a follow-up to Ayatollah Khamenei’s Palestine speech. “The fate of Palestine will not be determined in the UN or behind closed doors; it is the determination and faith of the Palestinian nation and other Muslim countries which will finally defeat Israel,” Hesameddin Kaveh argued.
“Palestine from the River to the Sea”, Vatan-e Emrooz published in large font. The newspaper’s front page was almost fully dedicated to the issue of Palestine, with quotes from Ayatollah Khamenei, Khaled Mashal and Nabih Berri. Vatan-e Emrooz also described the Wall Street protests as “The American Spring”, reporting extensively on the clashes between New York police and the demonstrators.
* 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.)
Vatan-e Emrooz daily does not publish on Thursdays.
Trouble with understanding some terms? Check our Glossary of Iranian Political Terms.
Briefing
Etemaad is a Reformist newspaper owned by former MP Elias Hazrati. The newspaper supported Mehdi Karroubi in the 2005 and 2009 elections. In 2010, it was temporarily banned from publishing (for a three-month period) by the Judiciary.
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 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 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.