The comments the minister of culture and Islamic guidance made at a ceremony to mark Reporter’s Day dominated the front pages of Iranians newspapers on Sunday. Reformist-leaning dailies also gave front-page coverage to the “propaganda blitz” launched by hardliners against Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani for his announcement that he is running for the Assembly of Experts.
Ettela’at: “In the absence of lively media, societies drift toward dictatorship,” the minister of culture and Islamic guidance told a ceremony marking Reporter’s Day.
Ali Jannati further said that government intervention in media outlets runs counter to national security.
The police chief, meanwhile, said reporters play a very important role in promoting a sense of security in society.
Abrar: “Parliament deputies won’t be issued a license to launch their own newspapers,” said the minister of culture and Islamic Guidance.
Aftab-e Yazd: The price [Ayatollah Rafsanjani has to pay] for fielding his candidacy [for upcoming elections for the Assembly of Experts]
The daily has a report on the propaganda blitz launched against the chairman of the Expediency Council after he said he would run for the assembly.
Aftab-e Yazd: “One single individual did not make decisions on nuclear talks,” Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said.
Aftab-e Yazd: “The critics of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action fail to pay attention to positive aspects of the deal,” said the chief of staff of the armed forces.
Arman-e Emrooz: The first vice-president has said that there are no leads about the money received by Babak Zanjani [a young billionaire who stands accused of committing massive embezzlement when Ahmadinejad was in office].
Arman-e Emrooz: The justice minister has welcomed the lawsuit Rahim Mashaei [a close confidant of Ahmadinejad] has filed against him.
Mostafa Pourmohammadi said some individuals do not tolerate others talk about corruption.
Asr-e Iranian: “Why does IRIB [state-run radio and TV organization] air programs critical of the nuclear deal?” asked an aide to President Rouhani.
Asr-e Rasaneh: Phase 12 of South Pars gas field is 98 percent complete.
Asrar: “Hardliners are using parliament floor to push their factional agenda,” said the chairman of the Expediency Council.
Asrar: A meeting between the governor of the Central Bank of Iran and a visiting Japanese delegation has looked, among other things, into the issue of Japanese banks setting up branches in Iran.
Asrar: “It was the 2013 election [which saw Hassan Rouhani elected as president] that brought the West to the negotiating table,” Foreign Minister Zarif said.
Ebtekar: A jointly-built wall against [principlist] hardliners
The supporters of the Rouhani administration may form a political-electoral coalition with Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani [a principlist himself].
Ebtekar: “No one has the right to speak for the Guardian Council,” said the spokesman of the council which vets candidates for general elections.
Nejatollah Ebrahimian further said that the red lines are well defined.
Emtiaz: The Italians are ready to build power plants in Iran.
Emtiaz: The police chief has said that road fatalities are down by five percent.
Etemad: Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is to launch a new political party.
Etemad: The case involving scholarships granted to unqualified individuals [when Ahmadinejad was president] is now closed.
The science minister has said he swears unauthorized scholarships no longer exist.
Hambastegi: Foreign Minister Zarif has advised political parties against trampling on the message of the Iranian nation’s glory simply for their own political goals.
Hemayat: At a meeting with the Belarusian attorney general, the Iranian Judiciary chief has underlined bilateral cooperation on human rights and the fight against terrorism.
Iran: “The nuclear deal is not going to have harmful consequences,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in a speech at a ceremony to mark Reporter’s Day.
Jomhouri Islami: “Absence of powerful parties is a major problem the country is suffering from,” said Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Jomhouri Islami: “Water scarcity and drought are very serious problems,” said the first vice-president.
Kayhan: You call continued sanctions and an uptick in threats an achievement?
[The daily has come out swinging again, targeting the nuclear deal Iran and P5+1 struck in Vienna last month.]
Mardomsalari: “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was a victory for the discourse of self-confidence,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Rooyesh Mellat: Reports that [the commander of IRGC’s Quds Force Major General] Ghasem Soleimani has visited Russia have proved controversial.
Setareh Sobh: Iran lost to Japan 3-1 to finish second in the Asian Volleyball Championships.
