Iranian newspaper front pages were dominated on Sunday by speculations on whether the Islamic Consultative Assembly will endorse President Rouhani’s fourth nominee to take over the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. Another pervasive front-page headline was the confirmation by the Supreme Court of a lower court verdict barring Saeed Mortazavi, a former Tehran prosecutor, from the bench for life and from public office for five years.
Afkar: The Middle East’s largest gold factory has been inaugurated in northwestern Iran.
Asr-e Eghtesad: “Iran is 17th in the world when it comes to tourist security,” said the director of the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization.
Asr-e Iranian: Some 100 MPs have signed a petition to question Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on parliament floor.
Asrar: “The government [of President Rouhani] will not change its nominee for minister of science,” said the president’s deputy.
Asrar: “I hope the culture minister does not give in to pressures when it comes to defending press freedom,” said Rasoul Montajabnia, a reformist activist.
Ebtekar: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has once again been summoned to appear before parliament.
Ebtekar: Pressure is building on President Rouhani to change his pick for the science ministry. Jafar Nili-Monfared, the deputy science minister and Saeed Semnanian, an advisor to the minister, have both resigned their posts amid a showdown between the Cabinet and parliament on who will take over the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.
Emtiaz: “Iran has the tools to minimize the damage caused by a slump in oil prices,” said Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.
Esfahan Emrooz: “Officials have discovered some leads based on victim accounts about acid attacks in Isfahan,” said an MP representing the central city where the attacks took place.
Etemad: “Some members of parliament desire to become minister of science,” said Ali Motahari, a Tehran MP, in an interview with the daily.
Etemad: Iran Air, Iran’s flagship carrier, says it has built on the Geneva Interim Agreement between Iran and P5+1 to purchase spare parts from Boeing.
Ettela’at: Fierce clashes have broken out between the Palestinians and the Israeli police in the West Bank and Quds.
Farhikhtegan: “Iran’s oil revenues have plummeted to $26 billion from a previous $110 billion,” said Government Spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht.
Financial Tribune: Gasoline imports halved on lower consumption.
Hambastegi: “A draft bill on parties has been submitted to the government,” said Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli.
Hambastegi: “Proper management is needed to promote the public culture,” said Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati.
Hambastegi: “The reform camp is moving according to the law and in line with Islam and Iran’s interests,” said Hadi Khamenei, a reformist cleric.
Hamshahri: Renowned Iranian director Majid Majidi is to head the jury of the upcoming Fajr International Film Festival.
Hemayat: “The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of Saeed Mortazavi [a former Tehran prosecutor],” said a deputy Judiciary chief, confirming that the former Tehran prosecutor will be banned from judicial positions for ever. Other reports also indicate that he will be barred from all government portfolios for five years.
Hosban: A historical gate dating back to the Achaemenian era has been discovered 3 km away from Takht-e Jamshid (a.k.a. Persepolis) in southern Iran.
Iran: Global leaders meet in a tense atmosphere for the annual G20 summit in Australia.
Iran Daily: IAEA removes UAE’s fake Iran map.
Jamejam: Air pollution has made a comeback to metropolises.
Jomhouri Islami: “The government will draw up the country’s spending package for next year (starting March 21, 2015) based on an oil price of $70-80 per barrel,” said the vice-president for planning affairs.
Kaenat: Efforts are underway to implement the National Document on Senior Citizens.
Kaenat: Access to Viber and Instagram will not be banned.
Kar va Kargar: “More time is needed [for Iran and P5+1] to reach a final nuclear agreement,” said the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Kasbokar: Truck transit is cut in half between Iran and Turkey following a rise in tariffs.
Kayhan: Iran and China have concluded a major economic and industrial deal, the Iranian Energy Ministry announced.
Khorasan: Iran and China have inked a $50-billion agreement.
Mardomsalari: “Gastric cancer is the number one killer cancer in Iran,” said the health minister, offering condolences on the death of pop singer Morteza Pashaei [who died on Friday at the age of 30].
Payam-e Zaman: “Efforts should be made to set balanced prices for oil,” said President Rouhani in a meeting with the Venezuelan foreign minister.
Payam-e Zaman: “We will offer a clear report on recent acid attacks to people,” the interior minister told reporters.
Resalat: “Political bickering counters production and justice,” said Ahmad Tavakoli, a Tehran MP.
Resalat: The Iraqi Army and people are getting prepared to liberate Tikrit in northern Iraq. It comes as reports indicate that ISIL terrorists have lost ground in Baiji.
Roozan: “Efforts to dispute the nuclear talks [between Iran and P5+1] run counter to the policies of the establishment,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi.
Sepid reported that the country’s complementary insurance companies have lent overwhelming support to the [government’s] Healthcare Transformation Plan.
Shahrvand: A deputy foreign minister has warned Iranian nationals that they risk death by trying to illegally find their way to Australia.
Sharq: The chairman of the Iranian National Olympic Committee has said in an exclusive that in some sports women’s presence in arenas is acceptable.
Taadol: “The Supreme National Security Council makes the final decision on a final nuclear deal,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi, in response to calls by some MPs that any possible deal should secure parliament’s approval.
Tafahom: Record stagnation in ten years has hit the Iranian car market.
Tejarat: Interest rates might change in the next six months.
Vatan-e Emrooz: Some Iranian MPs say the parliament should confirm the final nuclear agreement between Iran and P5+1.
