Iran News Round Up

(Thanks to Ali Alfoneh for his assistance in compiling)

Economy and Trade

• Gholam-Hossein Elham, government spokesman, says: 17 percent inflation should not be the standard in budget planning in Iran.
• Blames growth of prices in the international market for Iranian inflation.
• New budgeting methods introduced by president Ahmadinejad’s government “bomb our methods back to the Qajar era,” writes E’temad.
• Vice Director of Central Bank of the Islamic Republic: “Foreign currency reserve reaches $8 billion.”
• Iran to invest $8 billion in industry and mining.
• More privatization planned?
• The Islamic Republic of Iran imports red meat from “communist states in Central Asia,” a source of worry for devout Muslims.
• Tehran Muncipality wonders why Ahmadinejad’s government has failed to fulfill its commitment to finance Tehran metro.
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel: “Germany is to reduce level of trade with Iran because of the nuclear crisis.”
• But German ambassador in Tehran says it’s all smoke and mirrors:

“Statistics of the past year and half show that the major part of Germany’s exports to Iran has been through the [United Arab] Emirates, therefore, we believe that there has been no reduction in trade relations between Germany and Iran. Pointing at Four Billion [U.S.] Dollars [worth of] exports to Iran through the Emirates during the past year, he refused any claim of decrease in Iran-German trades and said: Direct trade exchanges between the two countries through the past year and half has evolved into trade per middleman and German machinery enters Iran through the Emirates. Therefore I stress the fact that Germany still is Iran’s trade partner. Honsowitz added: At present time the Economic Affairs Section of the German Embassy is working on taking the necessary measures to preserve and improve economic relations between the private sector in Germany and Iran. In addition to this, the German Chamber [of Commerce] in Iran and Iran’s Chamber [of Commerce] in Germany are planning for necessary measures in support of economic actors.”

• Mohammad-Reza Bahonar, an influential Iranian parliamentarians on economic affairs: “Our goal is not to become a new Japan… but we do also not want to become a North Korea.”
• Turkish minister of energy: “Turkey will sign more contracts with Iran in the field of energy cooperation regardless of the United States’ position.”
• Iran to build two electrical plants in Turkey.
• Governor of Khorasan Province: Mashhad City monorail project to start with Chinese assistance.
• China to renew fuel deal with Iran.
• Working on oil field in Khuzistan.
• Trade complaint to be lodged against French company Peugot.

Diplomacy

• Ahmadinejad in a meeting with Tanzanian vice president: “Iran wants to develop its relations with African countries.”
• The Islamic Republic to issue guarantees for Iranian companies doing business in Africa; promises a major housing project in Tanzania.
• Iran and the United States to start the fourth round (.pdf) of negotiations in Iraq.
• Iraqi foreign minister says a new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States to be held in Iraq on Saturday, but the Iranian ambassador to Iraq claims he has no knowledge of such a meeting.
• Iranian foreign minister discusses internal developments in Lebanon (.pdf) with his Syrian counter part.

Nuclear Issue

• Ahmadinejad visits Ardebil, says “no man can deny Iran nuclear energy….”
• Vows no concessions.
• Parliamentarian says IAEA approves of Iran’s nuclear activities.
• Adds: Iran is ready to negotiate “with all the countries in the world with the exception of the Zionist regime.”
• Jalili and Javier Solana to meet on November 30 re: nuclear issue.
• Jalili outlines terms of Iranian nuclear cooperation with world.
• New Zealand and Cuba favor abandoning UN Security Council involvement and resolutions on Iranian nuclear enrichment.

Military

• Deputy Commander of Basij Resistance Force, Seyyed Majid Mir-Ahmadi: “Nations and countries who want to preserve their independence and export the message of their revolution to the world – thereby challenging ‘World Imperialism’ – need to be prepared and deter the enemy.”
• The Islamic Republic begins a week of celebration of the Basij Militia.

Politics

• Commander Bahman Kargar of the Islamic Republic’s Law Enforcement Forces suggests commemoration of the day of Ahmadinejad’s speech at Columbia University as “The Day of National Myth” in the official calendar of the Islamic Republic.
• Partov-e Sokhan, mouth piece of hard line Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi hails Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s threats of “uncovering nuclear spies” and “economic corruption.”
• Head of Strategic Studies Center of Discernment Council, Hasan Rowhani indirectly attacks Ahmadinejad: “With spread of superstition, accusations and slogans alone, we will not achieve our goals…Three or four people don’t make a good advisory team, broader consensus is needed to improve our foreign policy.”
• Rowhani also lashed out at Intelligence Ministry because of their allegations against former nuclear negotiator, Mousavian.
• Partov-e Sokan, mouthpiece of Mesbah Yazdi: “Council of Guardians should thoroughly scrutinize candidates (.pdf) for the parliamentary elections.”
• Iranian parliamentarians protest against “narrowing the room for criticizing the government” without being accused of “Velvet Revolutionaries.”

Photo of the Day

• Tomb of Imam Reza in Mashhad.