The comments of President Hassan Rouhani on the impartiality of the Intelligence Ministry in vetting the candidates for the upcoming elections dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Wednesday. Continued registration of potential candidates was also a hot topic. Reformist-leaning and sport newspapers lashed out at IRIB for its failure to air a pre-recorded interview with Foreign Minister Zarif.
Ettela’at: Widening divisions is no skill; social cohesion should not be harmed, President Rouhani said in a meeting with the managers, advisors and staff members of the Ministry of Intelligence.
He further said the administration’s main responsibility is to ensure the security of all members of the public.
Ettela’at: The minister of science has said that overexpansion of universities poses a serious challenge to higher education.
Dr. Farhadi further said quality is the most important aspect of higher education; the country has as many as 4.8 million university students and around 2,000 institutes of higher education.
Ettela’at: The secretary of the Lebanese Hezbollah has said the movement reserves the right to retaliate against Israel for the assassination of Samir Kuntar.
He further said the message Kuntar’s blood sends [to the world] is that the flag of resistance will keep flying.
Ettela’at: First Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri has said that public hope and confidence has prevented an economic turmoil in the country.
Ettela’at: The government spokesman has said economic growth will hit 6 percent next year.
Ettela’at: The increase in birth rate continues, said a spokesman of the Organization for Civil Registration.
He further said the number of births in the first nine months of the year [started March 21, 2015] was up 4.5 percent over the similar period last year.
Ettela’at: Registration of candidates for Assembly of Experts elections comes to an end Wednesday.
Ettela’at: The top seven books of a book critique festival have been named.
Abrar: Iran’s support for Syrian strategy is unchangeable, said Brigadier General Jazayeri, the deputy chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces.
Afarinesh: Some 100 MPs have sent a notice to the president about unprecedented, deep recession gripping the country’s economy.
Afkar: Next year’s spending bill and a draft of the Sixth Development Plan will be presented to parliament in two weeks.
Afkar: The Danish foreign minister is due in Tehran in January.
Afkar: Iran has made it to the list of top 10 countries in the world when it comes to maritime science.
Arman-e Emrooz: The president has ordered an investigation into a $57 billion offense by the previous government.
Arman-e Emrooz: Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting would not allow Ferdowsipour [the host of its widely-viewed sport program] to broadcast a previously-recorded interview with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Asrar: The government spokesman has said that the national broadcaster should not allow its position to plunge to the level of representing a single political taste.
Mohammad Bagher Nobakht said the administration will use all legal tools to ensure the rights of all candidates.
Bahar: Behind the scenes of a decision not to air an interview with Foreign Minister Zarif
Sadegh Zibakalam, a political analyst, has said that IRIB belongs to the supporters of Saeed Jalili.
Ali Motahari, an MP, has said one needs to cry over the country’s political atmosphere.
Etemad: A second grandson of the late Imam Khomeini [Morteza Eshraghi] has fielded his candidacy for upcoming elections.
Tehran principlist MP Ahamd Tavakoli has said that Ahmadinejad is not qualified to enter parliament.
Sadegh Kharrazi, a former Iranian ambassador, went to the Electoral Headquarters but did not sign up.
Ghanoon: The National Security Committee has not called for the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to stop.
The announcement came after opponents of the government falsely claimed such an appeal has been made by the parliamentary committee.
Hamdeli: Foreign Minister Zarif has texted Ferdowsipour [the host of a widely-watched late-night sport program that airs on IRIB Channel Three].
That my interview was not aired is not important; do not get involved in a fight.
The Foreign Ministry has urged the national broadcaster to provide explanation to the public for its decision not to air the interview with Foreign Minister Zarif.
Hamdeli: Iran has made [CNN’s] list of 2016 tourist destinations.
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Hemayat: The interior minister has said thanks to the efforts of the Judiciary, illegal appropriation of land has decreased by 70 percent.
Iran: The number of hopefuls [in the upcoming parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections] has set a record. Women have a strong presence on the list of potential candidates.
Iran: The government spokesman has slammed IRIB [the national broadcaster] as playing the role of the opposition.
Javan: The Oil Ministry has put forth a suggestion that would make gasoline prices competitive.
Jomhouri Islami: Some talk about the leader in a way that suggests they are his representatives, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said.
Kayhan: In Iraq, a very important operation to wrest control of Ramadi from Daesh terrorists has gotten underway.
Mardomsalari: Joint construction by Iran and Russia of two nuclear power plants on Iranian soil gets underway next week, said the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.
Resalat: Former MP Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh has said if Iran files a complaint, the US will back down.
Saheb Ghalam: The director of the Trade Promotion Organization has said that there are no restrictions in doing business with the United States.
Sharq: The oil minister has taken a swipe at privatization of the oil industry.
Sharq: A spokesman for the Guardian Council has said laws do not ban women from the Assembly of Experts.
Sobh-e Eghtesad: No Islamic sect favors the ideologies championed by terrorists, said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
