Politics
- Advar News says 3,000 students participate in the Student Day demonstrations in Tehran. The students chanted: “Death to the dictator’, “Death to dictatorship”, “Shame on the Populist Government”, “Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Agent of Discrimination and Corruption,” “Women Rights, Human Rights.”
- 150 students at Tehran University stage a demonstration in front of the university’s main entrance, force their way though the gates and sing Yar-e Dabestani [My schoolmate].
- ISNA’s report
- Students at Tehran University raid the university’s security office.
- Students burn Swastika, which has become the symbol of government oppression.
- Allameh Faction of the Office of Consolidation of Unity student organization demonstrates at Tehran University against separation of male and female students, for academic freedom, and against former president Mohammad Khatami.
- Ardakan parliamentarian Mohammad-Reza Tabesh criticizes “securitization of the atmosphere at universities.”
- Agah-Sazi News claims the Student Day in Iran has been transformed into a day of protest against those “questioning Iran’s right to nuclear technology.”
- Head of the Association of the Professors at the Theological Seminary of Qom Ayatollah Yazdi: “The Supreme Leader’s defense of the ninth government [Ahmadinejad’s] is so strong that we…do not find it legal to choose another government.”
- Kahyan editor Shariatmadari claims that the national unity government scheme is “an American machination.”
- Fars News and Raja News make similar allegations.
- Kahyan editor Shariatmadari claims that the national unity government scheme is “an American machination.”
- Former parliamentarian Ahmad Shirzad says candidacy of Hojjat al-Eslam Hassan Rowhani or Hojjat al-Eslam Nateq Nouri is a sign of political bankruptcy of the reform movement.
- Deputy parliamentary speaker Ali Mottahari proposes candidacy of former foreign minister Ali-Akbar Velayati to foster unity among the principalists.
- Moetalefeh general secretary Habibollah Asgar-Owladi says political parties function as the experimental grounds for professional politicians.
- Tehran mayor Qalibaf speak at Research and Innovation in Urban Management in Tehran and says politics should not bar experts from contributing to city development.
- Combatant Clergy General Secretary Ayatollah Mousavi Khoeini-ha urges followers of the principle of Absolute Guardianship of the Supreme Jurist [Velayat-e Motlaqeh-ye Faqih] should also pay attention to Khomeini’s maxim that “Popular vote is the measure” [Mizan ra’-ye mardom ast.]
- Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi attacks critics of Ahmadinejad whom he calls “the Army of Satan,” and “the parties of unbelief and hypocrisy.”
- Ahmadinejad travels to Khuzistan.
- Former Acting Interior Minister Ali Kordan appointed presidential advisor for planning.
Diplomacy
- Reformist theoretician Mostafa Tajzadeh: “It seems that Mr. Ahmadinejad has finally understood that Holocaust denial has been a mistake from the very beginning. Therefore it is strange that his second rate supporters still support that position…Now that he [Ahmadinejad] has understood that discussing the issue is not to the benefit of the country or, for that sake, to the people of Palestine and is also to the detriment of his supporters, they must also not make such statements…Mr. President has given such a great gift to the Israeli regime which was otherwise blamed for genocide and occupation…”
- Khamenei’s message to Iranian pilgrims to Mecca: “Today, more than ever, Muslims from all countries and all races must cherish this ritual [of Hajj]. The horizon of the Islamic community of believers is brighter than ever…”
- Larijani, at Tehran’s Friday prayers: “When it comes to Iran’s nuclear issue, they have said that they [the U.S.] is pursuing the policy of bigger sticks and sweeter carrots. This rhetoric is only good for them, since they are former cowboys. Such words are not words of change, but all smell old and insult the nations.”
- Khamenei meets Ecuador’s president.
- Iran and Ecuador sign twelve cooperation agreements.
- Iranian students arrange demonstration in front of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran to protest Saudi-Israeli relations.
- Baztab News Agency says wife of the Danish Prime Minister contributes to the finances of her family by acting as a dancer at “private parties.”
- Former Iranian ambassador to the United Nations says both Iran and the U.S. suffer from lack of formal diplomatic relations.
- Entekhab publishes details from a letter of some U.S. congressmen to Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani in which they express hope for negotiations between the two parties.
- (E) Obama may continue Bush Iran policies.
- (E) Iran rejects Obama’s ideas.
- (E) Hero Ibrahim Ahmad, Jalal Talabani’s wife, invites Iranian comedian to Iraqi Kurdistan.
- (E) Herbert Honsowitz, Germany’s ambassador to Tehran (and a repeated opponent of sanctions and proponent of furthering business relations with the Islamic Republic regardless of its nuclear activity), announces that a German parliamentary delegation will travel to Iran.
Economy
- Former Central Bank Director General Tahmasb Mazaheri contradicts earlier official statements: ”The Foreign exchange reserve has not been converted to gold. This has never happened and it will never happen…The statements are either made because of the ignorance of the person who has made the statements because the issue is outside his field of expertise or the press has been wrong…”
- Academic Seyyed Hossein Qasemi says the Ahmadinejad government’s economic reform scheme is not properly planned.
- The Iranian government says it will build seven oil refineries.
Religion, Culture, and Society
- Tehran Municipality says it has started an “Academic Jihad” to make city planning and urban development more scientific.
- Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry endorses new Islamic fashion.
- Three minor earthquakes in Qeshm.
Military and Security
- Ali Shamkhani, head of the Strategic Studies Center of the Armed Forces, says the military threat against Iran has been reduced and that if “they wanted to do something, they would have done it by now.”
- Defense Minister Najjar says the war games and missile tests demonstrate Iran’s power and effectively of the Iran’s military industries.
Photos of the Day
- Student demonstrations at Tehran University
- Supreme Leader Khamenei meets Ecuador’s president.