Press Roundup provides a selected summary of news from the Iranian press, and excerpts where the source is in English. The link to the news organization or blog is provided at the top of each item. Tehran Bureau has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Please refer to the Media Guide to help put the story in perspective.

Yazdi lashes out at Rafsanjani, reconciliatory statement not good enough

Fararu | Jan. 25, 2010

Head of the Lecturer's Society of the Qom Seminary harshly criticized Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani for saying that the Supreme Leader was the most competent person to resolve Iran's woes.

Referring to remarks made by Rafsanjani at a meeting with the members of the Stability and Development Party, Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi said, " In my opinion, the manner in which Hashemi spoke was insulting to Ayatollah Khamenei."

"When you listen to the Leader's words they are very enlightening and full of important points, but I don't know what Hashemi's objectives are with his double-talk," he told the gathering of high-ranking IRIB officials on Monday. "I cannot digest these remarks [made by Rafsanjani].

"Your mandate has been given to you by the Leader and yet you speak in this manner," he said, referring to Rafsanjani. "If you want to speak today, Mr. Hashemi [Rafsanjani], at least slam the desecration of Imam's [Khomeini] poster and the violation of the sanctity of Ashura. What is the meaning of you insisting on standing by your previous position?"

"Mr. Hashemi told the members of the Stability and Development Party that 'under the present circumstances, moderates from both sides must resolve the issues with the Leadership,'" Yazdi said, describing Reformists as "those who are the opponents of the establishment" and those who "have separated themselves from it."

"How can you say the moderates from both sides must resolve the issues with the Leadership? Tell us who the moderates of the opposition are? In that meeting Hashemi said 'the Leader is the most competent person to resolve the problems.' In my view this is the biggest insult to Ayatollah Khamenei as it questions the definition of Leader [Just Jurisprudent]."

"Hashemi said that with the help of the Leader we will chase the enemies from the country. I must say that until Islam prevails [in Iran], the enemies will not leave our country alone and they will continue to plot against the establishment."

"With his positions, Hashemi has exceeded triple-talk," Yazdi said, in an apparent reference to the Supreme Leader's call to the elite to refrain from engaging in double-talk.

Referring to a recent meeting of the Assembly of Experts, which is headed by Hashemi-Rafsanjani, Yazdi said, "Web sites and media outlets claimed Hashemi smiled at Yazdi [in the meeting]. Is my smile or Hashemi's going to resolve the disputes?"

"Wherever Ayatollah Khamenei goes the nation and ourselves [referring to himself in the plural] will follow him. But Mr. Hashemi, know this: We will never follow you."

Iran opposition leader recognizes Ahmadinejad

AP | Jan. 25, 2010

The son of a top Iranian opposition leader says his father now recognizes Iran's president as the head of the government, while still maintaining that his June re-election was fraudulent.

Mahdi Karroubi's son Hossein said Monday that his father now recognizes President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad despite the fraud in the election.

Karroubi's new position is a major retreat from his earlier fiery denunciations of Ahmadinejad's government as illegitimate. The move could signal an attempt to reach a settlement with the clerics within the ruling system.

He has refrained from describing Ahmadinejad as "president," however, in order not to give full legitimacy.

Karroubi accepts Ahmadinejad as president

Fararu | Jan. 25, 2010

Opposition cleric Mehdi Karroubi said that he recognizes the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as legitimate.

When asked by Fars News Agency whether he accepted the lawful and elected President of the Iranian nation, Karroubi said, "I still believe my criticism [of Ahmadinejad] is valid but in response to your question I must say yes, I do accept the president['s authority]."

Leader's opinion about using satellite TV

Khabar Online | Jan. 25, 2010

The Leader of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei gave his religious opinion about the use of satellite television receivers.

Ayatollah Khamenei is of the opinion that such receivers can be used to access both halal (religiously acceptable) and haram (religiously unacceptable) programs. The purchasing, selling and use of such devices is admissible for halal purposes.

He said given that such devices allow their owners to have access to haram programs , which can lead to corruption, their purchase and use is only admissible for individuals who are sure of themselves and know that they will not use the device for haram purposes. If there is a law about the prohibition of their use, it should be followed.

Mesbah Yazdi says technology corrupting youth

Asr Iran | Jan. 25, 2010

Member of the Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah Yazdi said technology was the reason for cultural decline and corruption in the world.

"We did not have these electronic devices [satellites, digital media] before the [1979 Islamic] Revolution. But today a youngster can take out a cell phone from his pocket and see and listen to all forms of corruption and decadent music," he said.

He urged counter measures against such developments, because without them "no amount of filtering will be effective as it [filters] can be bypassed."

Mesbah Yazdi also went on to address the post-election incidents and the events of Ashura. "I do not recall anyone insulting Imam Hossein in such a manner even in the Pahlavi era. But in the Islamic Republic, it has gotten to this point. Of course this is only the appearance of the matter and the heart of the matter is much worse," Fars News Agency quoted Mesbah Yazdi as saying.

Mesbah Yazdi also touched upon moral corruption in universities, and the spread of immorality and decadence among students. "Look how universities are suffering from profligacy today. This is something that in no way corresponds with the ideals of the revolution or the Islamic Republic,' he stated.

Qom catches up to technology over graves

Asr Iran | Jan. 25, 2010

The CEO of Qom cemetery affairs organizations, Seyyed Jamalelddin Hosseini said that in the near future Iranians could use the internet to purchase graves in Qom.

According to Hosseini, after a computerized internet division's launch in Behesht-e Masoumeh Cemetery Iranians will be able to make grave reservations or purchase their eternal resting place online.

Hosseini said that a new database would also be launched that would allow access to the complete list of information about the citizens of the necropolis.

Ahmadinejad media adviser explains view on media ownership, slights MP

Fararu | Jan. 25, 2010

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's media adviser denied having said political parties should not be allowed to have media outlets.

"Political parties can own media outlets, but those outlets would be considered an organization belonging to the party and not part of public media," said Ali Akbar Javanfekr. "I have never said that parties should not be allowed to own media."

When asked his opinion about MP Ahmad Tavakoli's remarks on the sidelines of the Mardomsalary Conference, Javanfekr advised Tavakoli to deliberate before answering reporters, and to refrain from accusing others of deviation in their thoughts.

Tavakoli says he wasn't avoiding Karroubi

Khabar Online Asr Iran | Jan. 25, 2010

Ahamd Tavakoli said he did not leave the Mardomsalary (Democracy) Party's conference to show distaste for opposition cleric Mehdi Karroubi.

After leaving the conference, the MP was questioned by reporters about whether Karroubi was the reason he left the gathering. "Although I do not agree with Karroubi's [political] stance and despite feeling sorry for him and hoping that he returns [to the righteous path], leaving the meeting had nothing to do with him [Karroubi]."

"As I arrived toward the end of [Mostafa] Kavakebian's speech, I was unaware of Majid Ansari's address. I left assuming that the internal affairs of the party were to be discussed," ILNA quoted Tavakoli as saying.

When asked if he had any advice for Karroubi, Tavakoli said, "The path of repentance is always open... I hope he returns [to the right path.]"

When asked what he thought about Ali-Akbar Javanfekr's statement that parties should not be allowed to have media outlets, Tavakoli said, "I don't agree with this, and I perceive it to be a deviation [from accepted notions]."

Brother of gang leader to be executed

Fars News | Jan. 21, 2010

Iran's hardline Fars News Agency reported on January 21 that the final verdict for Abdolhamid Rigi, brother of opposition gang leader Abdolmalek Rigi, is "execution".

Speaking to Fars, Hojjat ol-Eslam Ebrahim Hamidi the director-general of Sistan-Baluchestan's Justice Department in southeast Iran said, " The people of Sistan-Baluchestan should know that the final verdict against Abdolhamid Rigi is execution."

He said that Abdolhamid is living proof of "the presence of bandits" in Pakistan, adding that after interrogations, Iran has learned about all the hideouts of bandits in Pakistan.

Iran has accused Abdolmalek Rigi and his group Jundollah of involvement in terrorist activities inside Iran.

Iran summons Swiss ambassador

IRIB | Jan. 25, 2010

The Swiss ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry today as the representative of the American Interest Section in Iran.

The deputy foreign minister for Northern American affairs expressed the Islamic Republic of Iran's protest to the activities of the Tondar terrorist group in America.

At the meeting, the deputy foreign minister referred to the leads available on the links between the terrorist group and the martyrdom of senior academician Dr. [Masoud] Ali-Mohammadi [on January 12] and asked for the extradition of the members of the terrorist group so that they could be prosecuted.

The Swiss ambassador in Tehran said that she would reflect the issue to American officials and announce the result to Tehran.

Iran: Bahais opening kindergartens in Tehran

Khabar Online | Jan. 25, 2010

The Iran newspaper claimed that the Bahais are trying to spread their beliefs in society by opening kindergartens in Tehran.

Iran cited an informed source as saying that the Bahai elders had decided to infuse their ideals into society in this manner and also by adopting orphaned children.

"Under the guise of helping these innocent children, the plan is to send them to educational and tourism camps and brainwash them there," the unnamed source told Iran.

Radio host mocks Hashemi for using low battery as excuse

Khabar Online | Jan. 25, 2010

Last night Mohammad Hashemi and Hamid Razaie were the guests of the Bedon-e khat khordegi radio show.

Mohammad Hashemi, Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's Expediency Council chief of staff, said that the actual remarks made by the political elite cannot be considered one with the ambiguous hearsay circulating.

He added that the official position of the elite is announced from official tribunes and one should not judge based on unverified words and attribute opinions to an individual.

He went on to add that when people are called "dust and dirt" or are referred to by animal names, no trust will remain in society, urging an open social atmosphere that allows people to express their opinions.

According to the Khabar Online report, when the host asked Hashemi to hear Razaie's opinion on the matter, he declined saying his battery was low.

The host ended his show by saying, "We are running out of time but we hope that you never run out of battery."

Iran's jobless rate stands at 11 percent

Reuters | Jan. 25, 2010

Iran's unemployment rate stands at 11 percent, Labour and Social Affairs Minister Abdolreza Sheikhol-Eslami was quoted as saying on Monday.

He said the government had failed to realize its aim to bring down the rate to 7 percent based on Iran's fourth five-year development plan (2005-2010).

"Crisis and global sanctions prevented us from decreasing the unemployment rate to 7 percent," Sheikhol-Eslami was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency. He did not elaborate.

Iran banks have $48 bln in bad loans

Reuters | Jan. 25, 2010

Iran's state-dominated banking system has $48 billion in non-performing loans and it is on the verge of a crisis, the Islamic Republic's central bank governor said in comments published on Monday.

"How would it be possible for the banking system to show any profit with $48 billion worth of loans in arrears," the Ettelaat newspaper quoted Governor Mahmoud Bahmani as saying.

Referring to a lending spree in recent years, he said: "Of course, the reality must be accepted that the opening up of the banking system's resources sack in the past few years has brought them (the banks) to the brink of crisis."

Iran to export 19,000 bpd of diesel to Iraq in 2010

Reuters | Jan. 25, 2010

Iran has secured a deal to export about 19,000 barrels per day (bpd) of diesel to Iraq this year, industry sources said on Monday.

The deal demonstrates Iran is confident it can not only sidestep the threat of U.S. sanctions against its fuel suppliers, but can even act as a trader itself by selling fuel to its neighbor.

The contract would begin in January, sources said, unseasonal for Iranian diesel exports. The Islamic Republic's exports are typically during the period of slower domestic power demand from April through the summer. The deal would run through the rest of the year, the sources added.

Iran piles up goods as subsidy system changes

Press TV | Jan. 25, 2010

Iran is preparing for the gradual withdrawal of subsidies by stockpiling basic commodities, an official at the Ministry of Commerce says.

"To avoid potential price fluctuations as a result of the targeted subsidies system, the Commerce Ministry has started stockpiling basic commodities such as red and white meat, dehydrated milk, dairy products, eggs, lentils, beans and cheese," the spokesman for Iranian Commerce Ministry, Alireza Shojai, said on Sunday.

He said the private sector would be involved in the plan, adding that "some two billion dollars have been allocated by the banks participating in the plan."

The Iranian official explained that the basic commodities would be distributed if there were a baseless increase in the prices after a new subsidies system is implemented.

In early January, Iran's legislative body, the Majlis, ratified a bill proposed by the government concerning the implementation of the targeted subsidy plan.

The legislation will result in the distribution of a portion of recovered revenue to low-income groups.

The government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad believes it will save up to 30 percent of the annual budget by rolling back subsidies on fuel and some food items.

Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project finalized

DAWN | Jan. 20, 2010

The Federal Minister for Petroleum, Naveed Qamar on Wednesday said that the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project has been finalized and an accord is going to be signed next week between both the governments. 
 


Speaking to the media in Mansehra, the petroleum minister said that the federal government is taking serious measures to combat the current energy crisis in the country.

He said that to enhance the current energy resources, undersea drilling was also being launched in the country on February 11.

Qamar ruled out the differences between Punjab and the federal government and said that although Punjab had some reservations, a cordial relationship still existed.

Russia supplies only defensive weapons to Iran

ITAR-TASS | Jan. 21, 2010

"Russia supplies to Iran only defensive weapons and will never go beyond the sanctions," the head of [state arms trader] Rosoboronexport, Anatoliy Isaykin, has said in an interview with ITAR-TASS. The corporation is taking part in an airshow in Bahrain.

"Overall, Iran is one of Russia's significant partners and continues to be so," Isaykin said. At the same time he stressed that Russia "was supplying only defensive weapons to Iran."

"Iran is under UN sanctions; that is why we fully comply with the law and will never overstep these boundaries," he said.