(Thanks to Ali Alfoneh for his compilation)
* As per reader request, from here on in, English language links will be designated with an (E).
Diplomacy
- Ahmadinejad’s comments on the occasion of introduction of new sanctions against Iran: “The day of introduction of new sanctions is a day of joy and festivity.”
- Moradi, Provincial governor of Hamadan: “Had we not continued uranium enrichment, the Westerners would also have taken the headscarf from the heads of our women.”
- Rafsanjani addressing the West: “You are too little to provide Iran with incentive packages or plan punitive measures against Iran for the nuclear issue.”
- Defense minister Najjar backs the Iranian president’s claims that he indeed was in danger while visiting Iraq.
- In a sarcastic note, Kargozaran informs the public of yet another foiled terror attempt against the life of the Iranian president.
Military and Security
- (E) Seymour Hersh reveals covert operations in Iran.
- Agah-Sazi publishes an interview with the Gen. Ja’fari, chief of the Revolutionary Guard:
- “The disperse character of the nuclear installations make them difficult targets for the enemy… America and Israel will need each other to deal with us… The Zionist regime can’t counter our missile capabilities, which makes Israeli strikes against us prohibitive… It’s only natural that Israeli attack against Iran will rally the revolutionary youth all over the Islamic world… It is very possible that an anti Zionist front will be made in Southern Lebanon [in case of Israeli attacks against Iranian nuclear installations]… Our scientific resources are very different than Iraq’s and Syria’s…Retaliation against Israel would be swift… Israel too small to constitute a threat against Iran, and it will be the U.S. which is the focal point…The U.S. is even more vulnerable than Israel because of the presence of U.S. soldiers in the region… In defense, the country will use any means [including the oil weapon]…The Revolutionary Guards has prepared for asymmetric warfare for years…One can’t rule out that Al Qaeda enjoys U.S. support even today [because of its anti-Shi’a character]… Basij is ready to continue its activities in various fields.”
- Concedes that possibility of attacks against Iran has increased.
- Ja’fari says increased risk due to the presidential elections in the United States.
- (E) Larijani dismisses military threats as psy-ops.
- Commander Jazayeri, head of the Defense Cultural and Propaganda Office of the Armed Forces Command Council, says the U.S. crime of downing a civilian passenger plane in 1988 must not be forgotten.
- (E) More, in English.
- Reza Rezvani, public affairs officer for the Ashura Army, says the army unit’s operations have left many terrorists death in northwestern Iran.
Political
- Supreme Leader Khamenei appoints Jalili his representative in Supreme National Security Council.
- Khamenei urges the Iranians to “help the standard bearer [the president]“.
- Hassan Khomeini condemns those whose false allegations harm forces loyal to the revolution.
- Hojjat al-Eslam Niyazi, head of the Supreme Investigative Organization, transferred to Supreme Court.
- Kachouyian says the Rafsanjani era only benefitted the rich, while Ahmadinejad is attending to the interests of the downtrodden.
- Reza Khatami, brother of the former president: “Whoever is the candidate for the presidency is lucky, since their rival is Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad is finished.”
- Ali Afrashateh, provincial governor of Bushehr, resigns.
- Hojjat al-Eslam Saqqa-ye Bi-Riya, religious advisor of the Ahmadinejad government, says “Palizdar’s comments smell of discord.”
- For the latest development in the Palizdar affair see E’temad’s article.
- An “informed source” tells Ansar News that the Ayatollah Alam al-Hoda, accused by Abbas Palizdar of corruption, is not the same person as the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, even though they share the same name.
- Government spokesman, Elham: “Some dislike the ascetic lifestyle of the martyr Beheshti.”
Economy
- Tehran parliamentarian Naderan protests against withdrawals from the foreign exchange reserve.
- Petroleum minister Nowzari: “In case of sanctions, we will satisfy gasoline demand within 48 hours.”
- (E) Drought in 30 provinces.
Trade
- According to Asr-e Iran, Iranian investments in United Arab Emirates reach $760 million.
- (E) Poland signs a $2 billion liquefied natural gas contract with Iran.
Religion, Culture, and Society
- Commenting on the suicide of three workers at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Ministry claims their suicide was not due to poverty and, at any rate, one of the workers already had a weak heart.
- Commander Baqerzadeh of the Foundation for Preservation and Publication of Values of the Sacred Defense announces “an emergency plan to establish graveyards for 320,000 fallen Iraqi soldiers (headline says enemy soldiers) in the border areas of Iran and Iraq.”
Human Rights and Labor
- (E) Another labor leader arrested.
- (E) Sugarcane workers end strike, form independent union.
Media
- Critical television program, Glass Triangle, unexpectedly stops transmitting, may have been banned.
Photo of the Day
- Miners at end of shift.
