The official candidacy of Ayatollah Rafsanjani and President Rouhani for the Assembly of Experts elections in late February dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Tuesday. Also on the cover of dailies was the stifling air pollution in the capital which prompted the closure of schools for a third day.
Ettela’at: Iran is the first regional country in which administration of affairs is based on the vote of people, President Rouhani said as he visited the Electoral Headquarters.
The president vowed that his government and the Guardian Council will act on the basis of law in the upcoming elections, urging those who deem themselves competent for public office to ignore “marginal questions” and field their candidacy.
Ettela’at: President Rouhani has ordered past failures to raise wages redressed in the Sixth Development Plan.
Ettela’at: The Palestine Liberation Front has fired missiles at northern Israel.
The Lebanese parliament speaker, prime minister and the Christian Council as well as Yemen’s Houthis and Iraq’s Badr Organization have condemned the assassination of veteran Lebanese fighter Samir Kuntar.
Ettela’at: The Supreme Leader has likened poetry-reading in seminary schools to breathing in fresh air.
Ettela’at: An order has been issued to raise Iran’s daily crude oil production by 500,000 barrels.
A senior oil official has said there are no concerns about the sale and exports of the additional oil Iran will produce in the post-sanctions era.
Ettela’at: Foreign Minister Zarif has said that Iran is moving toward more rational ties with other countries.
The top diplomat further said the US Congress has created a hurdle in the way of the nuclear deal by voting to tweak the US Visa Waiver law.
Abrar: Foreign Minister Zarif says he hopes sanctions are lifted next month.
Abrar: The commander of the Army ground forces has said his men upgrade their capabilities proportionate to threats.
Abrar-e Eghtesadi: The economic damage air pollution in Tehran has caused adds up to more than $2.1 billion.
Afkar: Neither Iran nor any other government is the custodian of Syria, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said.
Amin: Two-hundred-and-twelve MPs have released a statement in condemnation of the assassination of Lebanese fighter Samir Kuntar at the hands of the Zionist regime.
Arman-e Emrooz: The triangle of moderation [a reference to Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, Ayatollah Rafsanjani and Hassan Rouhani] is now complete in the upcoming Assembly of Experts elections.
Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani has said that the country is in a crucial juncture.
President Rouhani has urged women to field their candidacy for Assembly of Experts elections.
Arman-e Emrooz: Speaker Ali Larijani said no to the coalition of principlists.
No white smoke emerged from the chimney of principlists.
Asr-e Rasaneh: Yalda Night [an age-old Iranian tradition which coincides with the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere] is to be registered at UNESCO.
Asrar: If the US fails to keep its end of the bargain [under the nuclear deal], we won’t remain committed to our obligations either, said Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Asrar: The director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has said Tehran stands ready to transact with the US on heavy water.
Ebtekar: There seems to be no end in sight to air pollution in Tehran.
The daily has a report on high levels of air pollution in the capital and other Iranian metropolises.
Hamshahri: A report on the gradual deaths of thousands
The dramatic rise in air pollution levels in Tehran has left no ICU beds available at the hospitals of the capital.
Hemayat: Had it not been for the decision of the Supreme National Security Council, the seditionist leaders [a reference to those who sparked massive unrest in the wake of the 2009 presidential elections by doubting the results] would have received maximum punishment, said the judiciary spokesman.
Hemayat: Don’t interpret the Constitution based on your imaginations, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani said as he took a swipe at those who “seek to polarize society in the run-up to elections.”
Iran: The letter Secretary Kerry has sent to Foreign Minister Zarif amounts to a firm guarantee by the Americans, said Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Iran: Deals will be cut with foreign investors before the actual termination of sanctions.
Jahan-e Sanat: Saeed Mortazavi [a former judge who is on trial for corruption] has admitted that he has paid more than $300,000 to some MPs.
Javan: President Rouhani took the first step toward reelection to the Assembly of Experts.
After fielding his candidacy for the upcoming elections, he told reporters that the country can ride out the storms through the rule of religious jurisprudent.
Jomhouri Islami: Azerbaijan says it is ready to transit Iranian products to Russia and Europe.
Jomhouri Islami: The minister of communications has said that the banking restrictions Iranian businesses have been facing will be lifted in three weeks.
Kaenat: An image of Foreign Minister Zarif laughing has landed on CNN’s The Year in Laughter page.
Kayhan: A vessel carrying 10,000 tons of American rice has docked at Chabahar Port in southeastern Iran.
Resalat: The Nigerian Army has demolished a Shiite religious site in Zaria.
The total number of Shiites killed in the crackdown now runs into 2,000.
Rooyesh Mellat: The recent decision of the US Congress to restrict travel to Iran has raised the level of mistrust, said Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.
Roozan: The recent decision of the US Congress amounts to violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
Saheb Ghalam: Air pollution in Tehran is set to get worse.
[Schools in the capital remained closed for a third day in a row on Tuesday.]
Setareh Sobh: Those who commit electoral offenses will be seriously dealt with, President Rouhani said.
Shahrvand: A cooperation MOU has been signed by the Health Ministry and the Red Crescent Society to implement a healthcare volunteer program.
SMT: Iran and Russia have signed two economic cooperation MOUs.
Taadol: The education minister has been yellow-carded by parliament for a third time [paving the way for his impeachment.]
