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

Thursday’s headlines
TAFAHOM: 10,000 worn-out taxis would be replaced with Iran Khodro products
JAM-E JAM: Majlis and government hold meeting to allay concerns on subsidy reform plan
JAVAN: 4 opinion polls show 96 percent of Tehranis favor subsidy reform plan
JAVAN: China, Russia and China in a joint statement back Iran’s right to nuclear energy
JAHAN SANAT: Probable change in controversial Majlis approval as (central banker) Bahmani threatens to quit
SHARQ: Tehran IRGC commander warns if people pour to streets in protest to subsidy reform plan ‘we are responsible’
SOBHE EQTESAD: Government’s comprehensive plan to resolve unemployment problem once and for ever
FARHIKHTEGAN: High Council of Nurses asks why three orders of president went unnoticed
KAYHAN: Intimate meeting of Majlis and government at the presence of Larijani and Ahmadinejad
Leading articles
HAMSHAHRI in a news article says the Tehran City Council (TCC) has strongly opposed the separation of Shahr Ray from the capital city of Tehran. TTC chief Mahdi Chamran has called the move a disaster. According to Hamshahri, the council members received SMS on Monday confirming the separation. Masouma Ebtekar, head of the TCC environment committee, said such sudden decisions will have serious consequences in the future. Mortaza Talaei, head of the council cultural and social committee, likened the decision to “taking people under rain to under chimney.” Ahmad Masjid-Jamei, a member of the cultural commission, said the plan is an introduction to the disintegration of the capital. Hamzeh Shakib, head of the technical and development committee, suggested the formation of a five-member panel to discuss the various aspects of the plan. Abbas Sheibani called on his fellow councilors not to bother themselves because “gentlemen” have taken their decision and they will declare the separation of Shahr Ray from Tehran soon.
KHORASAN in a report discusses the NATO summit in Lisbon which was set to debate the proposed missile-defense shield in Turkey under the pretext to protect the West from perceived Iran’s missiles. Turkish authorities have reacted with a softer language toward the proposal. However, the Islamic Republic has strongly opposed the idea. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Tuesday that the plan has raised concerns in the region and the Muslim world. He said Iran is not a threat to regional countries, adding the “Zionist regime” of Israel is the only threat to the region. The spokesperson said the proposed plan is intended to meet the interests of the Zionist regime and some extra-regional powers.