The column ‘Persian Press Review’ features the headlines and leading articles carried by Farsi dailies

Monday headlines
KAYHAN: U.S. officials are in Baghdad to weaken Maliki and support Allawi
IRAN: Two persons are hanged in Zahedan for corruption on earth
TAFAHOM: Deputy economy minister invites foreign banks for investment in Iran
TEHRAN-E EMROOZ: Plan to counter a freeze on Iranian nationals’ properties in abroad
IRAN: Border stations are equipped with drone aircrafts
TEHRAN-E EMROOZ in its editorial entitled “Sanctions and Anti-Sanctions” writes that it is almost three decades since the then Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Rajaei met former UN secretary general Kurt Waldheim in New York. Waldheim warns Rajaei of sanctioning and isolating Iran, and Rajaei in reply says: “Our isolation is by a government (he meant the U.S.) which has been plundering Iran before the revolution, and to achieve an independent, progressive and free Iran… this isolation is something inevitable.” The writer says the West’s approach toward Iran has not changed yet during the last 30 years and it is still using the same policy and language with Iran. However, the sanction or isolation of Iran is highly exaggerated by foreign-based opposition groups.
EBTAKAR in its commentary entitled “A Crucial Year for Iran’s Petroleum Industry” says the current situation of the oil market depends on sensitive decisions taken by authorities in Tehran because the slightest mistake on the part of officials, would threaten Iran’s position in the oil market as a major oil supplier to international markets. Some international energy companies insist on the great role of Iran in the coming years while some others argue that Iran would be omitted as an oil supplier in future years. However, companies share the view that the decisions by Iranian officials over the next five years will be highly important. If officials make the least mistake in oil investment oil exportation would become a dream for Iran.
MARDOMSALARY in an article headlined “Threats or Opportunity”, authored by Reza Jalali, says U.S. President Obama, by signing the comprehensive sanctions move, paved the way for implementation of the fourth round of sanctions against Iran. As a columnist in this newspaper in the last 8 years I have repeatedly reminded the Islamic Republic’s policymakers how to approach the nuclear dispute with the West.
JUMHURI-E ESLAMI in a commentary under the headline “The Main Political Deadlock in Iraq” says next week the Iraqi parliament will convene to name the president and speaker while serious differences still exist among political groups and formation of the new Iraqi government after four months still remains unresolved. Two days ago, Grand Ayatollah Sistani warned about the consequences of delaying the move to name a new prime minister. On Friday, Ammar Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, also called on the Iraqi political groups to appoint new premier. Next Wednesday, July 14, is the last deadline for the Iraqi parliament to appoint new parliament speaker, president and two vice-presidents. It is expected that in the next session the parliament, without any delay, do its duty in naming top officials as envisaged in the constitution.