This column features excerpts from news articles, editorials, commentaries, and interviews of the leading Iranian newspapers and websites. 

HEMAYAT: It has been decided to slash four zeros off the national currency

JAVAN: Davutoglu reaffirms allegiance to Tehran

KHORASAN: Some persons fear to announce Iran’s economic growth is above 10%, president says

JAME JAM: Recent arrests not political, Mohseni-Ejei says

TEHRAN-E EMROOZ: PJAK group provided with parts of Iraq’s Kurdistan territory

HAMSHAHRI: Go to cinema and buy goods with metro card 

KAYHAN: Four large projects inaugurated in West Azerbaijan Province

TAFAHOM: Iran’s population is 74.5 million, director of National Organization for Civil Registration announces

SHARQ: Negotiation with U.S. is possible on an equal footing, says Rafsanjani

QODS: Syria, Iran, Turkey are members of one family, Salehi says in the meeting with Turkish FM

MELLATEMA: Majlis strongly warns Bahrain 

KHORASAN published excerpts of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani’s interview with ‘Iranian Diplomacy’ website. In the interview Rafsanjani expressed dissatisfaction at Iran’s foreign policy, saying, “We can utilize Iran’s potential much better”. “Personally I think the current trend is not a pleasant one. Of course, officials say they want to have relations and cooperation with the entire world. In words, it (the remarks) does not differ from previous governments,” he said. However, he said, they are not putting those ideas into practice. He went on to say that there is no reason why Iran does not enjoy satisfactory relations with the neighboring countries. Iran is a country with which many world powers and regional nations seek to establish close relations for various reasons, he noted. “Actually we could have used Iran’s potential much better. We must follow diplomatic principles,” and act in a way that is appropriate to the country’s history and dignity, Rafsanjani, a former president, noted. He said the incumbent officials are placing even greater emphasis on interactions with the U.S., but in fact they use the same unwise internal strategies for foreign policy. “I think now (we) can hold talks with the U.S. on an equal footing based on mutual respect.” Rafsanjani said the incumbent officials, at least in words, broke the taboo of holding dialogue with Washington. During Khatami’s presidency, however, the atmosphere was so tense that on a trip to the U.N., in order not to face the American officials, Khatami redirected his path. But now the situation is the opposite.

In an interview with HAMSHAHRI, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ramin Mehmanparast said that imposing sanctions on a country and limiting the rights of a nation will inflict damage on that state. The fact that the United States and its allies are pressuring other countries with the aim of pushing ahead with their attempts to create problems for the Iranian nation may cause damage to the nation, but they should know that the pressure cannot hinder the great nation of Iran and deprive it from its rights. “But when our people are aware that sanctions and pressures are being used under political pretexts and that they have no logical or legal basis, they will pay the price to maintain their independence,” Mehmanparast said. The sanctions inflict loss on the country, but that should not prevent the Islamic establishment from realizing its main objectives, he concluded.

 

TEHRAN-E EMROOZ, in a commentary, discusses the trip that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu made to Iran. Following are excerpts of the commentary: Davutoglu’s trip, which followed his visit to Saudi Arabia, is very important at this critical juncture when regional uprisings are underway. Various issues were discussed in negotiations, including Tehran-Riyadh ties and Ankara’s positions on developments in Syria as well as the formation of a new government in Lebanon under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Mikati. However, popular uprisings in the Arab world have caused Ankara to adopt an ambiguous stance. For example, Ankara made a U-turn and adopted a position similar to the United States and certain European countries toward Gaddafi’s regime. And while Turkey had warned against interference in Syria’s internal affairs, it has offered refuge to the Syrian opposition. And above all, they supported Saudi Arabia’s military and political intervention in Bahrain.

 

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