Iran News Round Up (Oct. 19)

Economy

Central Bank Director Mahmoud Bahmani, commenting on the decline in oil prices, says one can’t “rule out $54 billion decline in exports” and urged stimulation of non-oil exports. More here. (E) And in English.
Introduction of the Value Added Tax suspended by presidential decree.
E’temad-e Melli’s panel of economists attacks Ahmadinejad’s economic policies, here and here.
Members of the Parliament’s Economics and Finance Committee warn that the budget deficit of the Ahmadinejad government is much greater than announced.
Shahab News accuses the Ahmadinejad government of having mismanaged oil revenue.
Housing prices rise in Sistan va Balouchestan province.
Resalat reports that the Islamic Republic is now self-sufficient in production of land based oil platforms.
Moe’talefeh’s Asgar-Owladi proposes a common theoretical approach to the issue of development in Iran. More here.
Ahmadinejad to inaugurate the 6th, 7th and 8th phases of South Pars Gas Field.

Politics

Kayhan warns Principalist movements against challenging Ahmadinejad’s second term.
Former speaker of the parliament Nateq Nouri may challenge Ahmadinejad in presidential elections.
Resalat interprets Khatami’s remarks on the power of the presidency as a sign he will not run for president.
E’temad Melli’s report on Khatami’s comments.
E’temad-e Melli publishes the names of its 55 central committee members.
(E) Parliament mulling impeachment of Interior Minister Ali Kordan.

Military and Security

Iranian Army Ground Forces chief Amir Ahmad Reza Pour Dastan says there has been a significant change and development of tactics and doctrine during the past thirty years and that the “enemy would be surprised” in case of aggression against Iran.
Iranian males who have not served their military service can obtain permission to leave the country prior to their service upon depositing 50,000,000 rials.
1,300 Basij members to stage war games in Gonbad Kavous.
Iranian Army stages aerial bombardment preparedness exercise.
Kayhan publishes an article on the role of the Jahad-e Sazandegi [Construction Jihad] during the Iran-Iraq war.

Diplomacy

(E) What was CIA director doing in Lebanon?
Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani says the “U.S. must pursue a different policy towards the Middle East.”
Kayhan slams U.S. support for Japan’s membership on the U.N. Security Council, suggests Japan has bribed or threatened U.N. member states to vote for Japan. More.
Tehran mayor Qalibaf, visiting Tokyo, urges Japan to protest against “double standards of the great powers” with regard to the Iranian nuclear issue.
(E) Iran opens cinemas in Afghanistan.
(E) Iran wants balanced strategic partnership with Russia.

Religion, Culture, and Society

Resalat runs a major article on millenarianism and those who claim to be the Mahdi’s intermediary.

Trade

Oil Minister Nowzari claims that in next 30 years, Iran will be the major natural gas exporter to Europe.
Communication and Information Technology minister Mohammad Soleymani visits Belarus.

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