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A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15

The top story today was the presidential candidates’ trips to various cities and the remarks they made in their stump speeches.
Hassan Rouhani’s trip to Isfahan was particularly highlighted in today’s media, where reformist and pro-government papers released photos of the ‘huge’ number of people who welcomed Rouhani, and conservative papers published photos of the same ceremony from another point of view to show the ‘weak’ reception.

Conservative media also blasted Rouhani’s government for an alleged resumption of paying cash subsidies to those whose payments had been earlier cut. They criticized Rouhani for making such moves ahead of the Friday election in a bid to buy votes.

The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:

 

19 Dey:

1- Rouhani: We’ll Remove Other Sanctions with Zarif

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Abrar:

1- Iran, Austria Start Construction of Nuclear Hospital

2- 40 Million Iranians Expected to Cast Votes in Iran Elections: Officials

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Afkar:

1- Don’t Forget Our Deal: 4-Percenters Should Go

2- People in Varamin, Shiraz Warmly Receive Qalibaf

3- Qalibaf: A Government Engaged in Real Estate Business Can’t Know Workers’ Pains

4- Raisi: Rouhani’s Gov’t Not Capable of Fighting Corruption

5- Living Conditions of Artists Deteriorated during Rouhani’s Term: Actor

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Meeting with Fans under Open Sky

2- Rouhani in Isfahan: They Say We Accept Nuclear Deal, Should We Believe It?

3- I’ll Vote for Rouhani Because of Iranian Children

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Arman-e Melli:

1- Glorious Reception of Rouhani in Isfahan, Lorestan

2- People Should Know Even One Single Vote Counts: Reformist Figure

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Asr-e Iranian:

1- Raisi: Everything Will Change If I Open My Mouth

2- Government Distributes Money ahead of Election

  • Rouhani’s Gov’t Resumes Payment of Previously-Cut Cash Subsidies

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Ebtekar:

1- Parliament Speaker: People’s Turnout Serves as a Shield for Iran

2- Purple Flood

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Etemad:

1- People in Isfahan Chant ‘We Won’t Come Back to the Past’

2- Rouhani Warmly Received in Khorramabad, Isfahan

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Ettela’at:

1- 70-Fold Increase in Budget Allocated to Youths: Sports Minister

2- Biggest Deal Signed for Construction of Ocean Liners in Iran

3- Syrian Army Liberates New Area near Damascus

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Ghanoon:

1- Caption Lies in the Photo

2- If Qalibaf Refuses to Withdraw, Conservatives Will Be Defeated

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Haft-e Sobh:

1- Fate of Tehran to Be Decided Friday: Different Parties Battling for City Council

2- Female Truck Driver Who Transfers Cargos to Europe with Husband

3- Architects of New World

  • Macron Begins New Era for French People
  • Eastern Superpowers Cooperating to Revive Silk Road

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Hemayat:

1- Judiciary Proud of Fighting Corruption for 38 Years: Spokesman

2- 2 Killed, 400 Injured in 5.7-Magnitude Quake in NE Iran

3- Prosecutor General Urges Executives Not to Support Candidates

4- Le Monde: Major General Soleimani, Most Powerful Man in Middle East

5- Implementation of UNESCO 2030 Document is Cultural Infiltration: Clerics

6- World Media Worried about Similarities between Bin Salman, Trump

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Iran:

1- Political Passion for a Big Choice

2- Candidates Making Stump Speeches across Iran in Run-up to Election

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Jame Jam:

1- Social Vitality, Electoral Passion

2- Iran’s Wrestling Team Wins Asian Title

3- Spokesman: Judiciary to Counter All High-Ranking Corrupt People

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Javan:

1- Moderate Approach Turning to Radicalism

2- Senior Conservative Bahonar: Presidential Votes Will Head to Run-Off

3- Ahead of Election, Gov’t Resumes Paying Cash Subsidies to Those Who Weren’t Eligible

4- Oil Minister Neglecting Crescent Company’s Blackmail against Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Kayhan:

1- Public Organizations Have Turned to Rouhani’s Campaign HQ

2- US-North Korea War Will Have No Winner, Both Will Be Destructed: American Analyst

3- Gov’t Resumes Paying Previously-Cut Cash Subsidies While it Had Called it Great Disaster

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Kelid:

1- Raisi: Improving Ties with Neighbours Top Priority of My Gov’t

2- Rouhani Cancels Trip to Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari Province due to Cold Welcome

3- Judiciary Spokesman: Some Candidates Keep Blaming Previous Gov’t

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Khorasan:

1- Reports Show Gov’t Is Resuming Payment of Cash Subsidies to Those Whose Payment Was Cut

2- 2 Killed, 400 Wounded in Bojnourd Quake; 40% Damage to Some Villages

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Quds:

1- Face-to-Face Promotion: Supporters of Candidates Convincing People in Streets

2- Bahonar: Raisi, Qalibaf’s Votes in Sum More than that of Rouhani, Jahangiri

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Resalat:

1- Qalibaf: The Four-Percenters Created Economic Downturn

2- Raisi: I Don’t Know the Diplomacy Where We’re Helped by Foreigners in Election

3- Lie-Detector Should Be Used for Certain Candidates in Debate: Bahonar

4- Mirsalim: Rouhani’s Gov’t Is Government of Rejection, Not Prudence

5- We Should Choose between Supporters of Poor People, Aristocrats in Friday Election

6- Rouhani’s Gov’t Has Failed to Attract Foreign Investment

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Rooyesh-e Mellat:

1- Qalibaf: Iran’s Problem is Incompetence of Incumbent Executives

2- Raisi: Ties with Europe Can Be Improved

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Shargh:

1- You Stabbed us in the Back, Now You’re Supporting JCPOA: Rouhani

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Siasat-e Rooz:

1- Judiciary Spokesman Vows to Respond to Rouhani’s Claims after Elections

2- Experts’ Evaluation of Iran’s Religious Democracy

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15


 

Sobh-e Now:

1- 70 Lawsuits Filed against Critical Media Outlets in 10 Days: Rouhani Breaks Records

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 15

 

Tehran Ready for Talks with Saudis If They Stop Anti-Iran Policies

“We do not want our problems to continue with neighboring states and our foreign policy is based on the establishment of constructive relations with other countries, including the Persian Gulf littoral states,” Qassemi said in an interview with the London-based al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper.

He added that the issues between Tehran and Riyadh are not very complicated, saying, “What undermined mutual relations was misunderstanding and unfounded accusations against Iran.”

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia soured after a deadly human crush occurred during Hajj rituals in Mina, near Mecca, in September 2015. Saudi Arabia initially published a death toll of 770, but refused to update it despite gradually surging fatality figures from individual countries whose nationals had been among the victims of the crush.

Tehran Ready for Talks with Saudis If They Stop Anti-Iran Policies

Iran said about 4,700 people, including over 465 of its nationals, lost their lives in the incident.

Mutual ties deteriorated further when Riyadh executed prominent Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, in January 2016. Saudi Arabia unilaterally severed its diplomatic ties with Iran after protests in front of its diplomatic premises in the cities of Tehran and Mashhad against Nimr’s execution.

In response to a question about the dispute between Iran and Saudi Arabia over the war on Yemen, the spokesperson said Riyadh had made a big mistake by attacking Yemen.

“This issue is not acceptable to Iran,” Qassemi pointed out.

Tehran Ready for Talks with Saudis If They Stop Anti-Iran Policies

He said that the Yemenis were in possession of a huge amount of arms, adding that the Al Saud regime had wrongly believed that everything would end in its own favor; however, it faced the Yemeni people’s resistance.

“Iran has neither military nor financial intervention in Yemen,” the spokesman said.

Since March 2015, the Saudi regime has been engaged in a brutal campaign against Yemen in an attempt to reinstall Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, the former Yemeni president who resigned and is a staunch ally of Riyadh. The campaign also aims to crush the Houthi Ansarullah movement. The Saudi regime has failed to achieve its objectives.

Latest tallies show that the Saudi war on Yemen has so far killed over 12,000 Yemenis and wounded thousands more.

Qalibaf Vows to Declare Number of Created Jobs on Billboard

Qalibaf

Qalibaf, who is one of the six Iranian candidates contesting the country’s May 19 election, has, in a stump speech in Shiraz in the southern Iranian province of Fars on Sunday (May 14), promised to create 5 million jobs if elected as president.

Based on the feasibility studies and plans, Qalibaf said, 1.2 million will be generated in the villages and deprived areas based on each district’s comparative advantages, to develop small industries and improve the agro sector.

According to a report by IFP, he added he will also install a digital billboard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, to publicly announce the number of jobs created by his administration on a daily basis after he is elected as president.

He said Rouhani’s administration has failed to produce any favourable outcome for the people during its four-year opportunity.

Commenting on the blocking of his registration website for entrepreneurs and job seekers, the candidate said, the website was blocked due to the dissent expressed by the 4-percent affluent population of Iran.

He added this is while, now, they (President Hassan Rouhani’s administration) have set up and launched a similar website called ‘internship’.

Qalibaf also promised to pay a monthly amount of close to $70 to unemployed people until they find job.

Iranian Maestro Who Learned to Play without Teacher

Osman Mohammadparast, a professional player of the dotar, an Iranian traditional musical instrument, says society will lose its identity without artists.

The 89-year-old virtuoso musician, who has been in hospital for quite some time due to an illness, says he has not charged anyone a single penny for playing the dotar. However, the musician says, “I have built hundreds of schools with this very instrument.”

Mohammadparast was hospitalized with a spine disc condition and joint pain in the northeastern city of Mashhad several days ago. Doctors had instructed him not to even sit up to welcome visitors.

He was interviewed while in bed after undergoing surgery. He smiled despite all the pain he was in.

“As soon as I return home, I will greet my dotar again,” said the musician.

He said dotar players have something missing if they do not have the instrument with them.

Mohammadparast was born in 1928 in the ancient city of Khaaf in northeastern Iran. He fell in love with the dotar when he was a child and began to learn to play it without having a teacher.

“When I was 12, I picked up the dotar and promised myself never to put it down till the end of my life,” he says.

He believes the dotar gives one peace of mind and is part of Iran’s culture. According to him, the dotar is associated with a kind of music known as “Maqami” or Mugham in Farsi. He says this kind of music goes back generations, and that “we should complete and bequeath it to our children.”

He says the Maqami music has been institutionalized in the hearts of Iranian people.

The virtuoso musician has numerous performances on his track record.

Here is a short video of him playing the dotar in a highly skilled way:

Rouhani Urges Iranians to Choose between Regression, Progression

Rouhani Campaign in Azadi

Rouhani, who is one of the six candidates contesting Iran’s May 19 presidential election, has urged the Iranian people to decide on Friday (the Election Day) whether they want to experience regression or progression in the next four years.

He called on them to announce whether they want to tread the path of peace and tranquillity or to take the road to tension.

Addressing nearly 20,000 of his supporters, who had convened in Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Saturday, Rouhani said what people demand is not just respecting the youths.

“They want the country to be managed and run using young people’s thoughts and ideas. We are required to announce to the world that we are determined to construct Iran, not to destroy it.”

He said his administration has managed to transform the image some used to present of Iran to the world, adding Iran is now known internationally as a land of hope and moderation, instead of a violent and extremist state.

“We, despite the disposition of a minority group, chose our path together and want to continue it for another four-year term. There were a large number of problems, but I refrained from talking about them to keep the peace and ensure security in the society.”

He said his administration respects critics, adding, however, that slandering fails to be a wise move in the long-term and does not guarantee a bright future for the country.

“Let’s tell the truth to the people. Did you know that during the days we were in [nuclear] talks with the world powers (P5+1), a number of people prioritized factional issues over national interests and stabbed [the government] in the back.”

“I [publically] announce that the ‘Moderation and Reforms Government’ [the name given to Rouhani’s government] belongs to the entire Iranian nation. I have not forgotten the promises I made in 2013. I have either fulfilled them or have been prevented [by some] from honouring them.”

Rouhani stressed that the government resisted against those who put it under pressure to block Iranians’ access to a number of social media, adding a number of people were against providing people with free access to the internet to prevent the dissemination of information about their corruption and exploitation of public properties.

 

‘All Anti-Iran Sanctions Must Be Lifted’

“Has the removal of Western sanctions worked to the detriment of the Iranian people? Of course, those who benefited from the embargoes are not happy [with their lifting]. We do not content ourselves with the removal of only the nuclear restrictions. [We maintain that] all the sanctions [nuclear and non-nuclear] must be lifted,” Rouhani stressed.

Remarks about the removal of all sanctions on Iran made by Rouhani at Azadi stadium came as a day earlier (May 12), he had made the same pledge in the third and last live election TV debate, before the eyes of millions of television viewers as well as his three conservative rivals. The fact that Rouhani reiterated the promise a day later in front of nearly 20,000 of his supporters, implies that the pledge has not been a bluff at all.

Iranian Presidential Candidates Vow to Tackle Economic Woes

Incumbent Hassan Rouhani pledged to eradicate “abject poverty” over the next four years if he is re-elected as he addressed a crowd of thousands at Azadi Stadium Tehran.

Speaking to the audience, Rouhani called on them “to declare to the world in this election that we are determined to build our future, not to destroy Iran’s future.”

The president also defended his performance in the face of scathing criticism, saying his administration had managed to establish “economic stability” in the country.

Rouhani said inflation for foodstuff stood at 51 percent at the start of his mandate, adding his administration had brought it below eight percent.

Low-income families had to pay up as much as 200 million rials ($5,000) for a surgical operation, but they can receive the same service at less than one-twentieth of the cost now, he said.

Rouhani further said his government would not be cutting monthly subsidies as rumored in some rural areas.

The issue of monthly handouts has become a hot subject, with one candidate pledging to raise them five-fold.

The president also touched on corruption, saying it is rooted in lack of transparency. His government, he added, has submitted a bill to Parliament, obliging all organizations to present their track record for audit.

Rouhani also pledged to root out smuggling, saying the problems had to be tackled through producing quality goods and making them competitive. Border provinces, he said, should become hubs for exports instead of being a haven for smuggled commodities.

Fear of technology has become another impediment for the country, the president said. “One cannot avoid using the cyberspace and the technologies related to it,” he said.

Qalibaf: Govt. created class divide

Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, who has emerged as the biggest critic of the administration, told his female supporters in Tehran that the government was favoring certain people and creating a class divide.

Iranian Presidential Candidates Vow to Tackle Economic Woes

He cited unemployment, inflation, and high prices at the heart of the country’s “economic crisis.”

Separately, Qalibaf said in televised remarks that the management system governing the country was outdated, related to 60 years ago.

He said liquidity under President Rouhani had ballooned by 8,000 trillion rials ($246 billion), becoming a burden for the country and preventing it from turning its economic maladies around.

Raeisi decries ‘mismanagement’

Another candidate, Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi (seen below) likewise said Iran suffered from economic mismanagement, while the country had everything it needed for progress at its disposal.

Iranian Presidential Candidates Vow to Tackle Economic Woes

He was speaking in the city of Urmia in northwestern Iran, where he said his government would instill the culture of “Yes, we can” in the society.

The slogan, he said, would manifest itself in the government resorting to popular resources and “not eyeing foreigners [for assistance].”

No reliance on foreigners

Another candidate Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim (seen below), the current member of Iran’s Expediency Council, blamed Rouhani’s government for a “belief that we cannot do anything without foreigners.”

Iranian Presidential Candidates Vow to Tackle Economic Woes

The incumbent government, he said, was not one of “prudence, but one of denial” of the country’s problems, adding people’s troubles were now worse than the 1980s when Iran was fighting a war against former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Crocodiles Eat Pastor Who Tried to Walk on Water like Jesus

The pastor, identified as Jonathan Mthethwa, of the Saint of the Last Days Church, tried the demonstration at a river known as Crocodile River.

Mthethwa, from a local church in White River Mpumalanga, died Saturday morning trying to demonstrate the biblical miracle to his congregants.

According to The Herald Zimbabwe, he drowned into the Crocodile River and was seen by his church members getting eaten by 3 crocodiles.

Deacon Nkosi, a member of the church, told the newspaper, “The pastor taught us about faith on Sunday last week.

“He promised he would demonstrate his faith to us today, but he unfortunately ended up drowning and getting eaten by 3 large crocodiles in front of us.

“We still don’t understand how this happened because he fasted and prayed the whole week.”

Pastor Mthethwa was said to have walked into the water and when he was 30 meters inside the river, attempted to ascend above the water so he can start walking, but the 3 crocodile appeared from nowhere and started feasting on him.

Deacon Nkosi added, “They finished him in a couple of minutes.”

“All that was left of him when they finished eating him is a pair of sandals and his underwear floating above the water.”

The country’s emergency agency, ER24 responded to the scene 30 minutes after, but upon arrival, there was not much they could do as the pastor was already dead.

Stunning Ceilings of Iranian Mosques

Iranian mosque ceilings are usually ornamented with beautiful mosaics enhanced by the well-known Iranian-Islamic architecture.

Here are stunning photos of Persian mosque ceilings taken by Iranian photographer Mehrdad Rasoulifard:

40 Million Expected to Cast Votes in Iran Election: Official

The Interior Ministry’s director general for political affairs, Mohammad-Amin Rezazadeh, says among the positive features of Iran’s May 19 elections is that none of the country’s political trends and parties have boycotted the votes and all of them will take part in them at full capacity.

According to a report by IFP, he said given the intense competition between the country’s two major political factions – conservative and reformist parties – 40 million people (70 percent of the total number of the Iranians eligible to vote) are anticipated to cast their votes in the elections.

“Iran ranks among the world’s top countries in terms of turnout in its elections. Iranians have always shown they understand the special international and regional conditions and have managed to pass their tests [through their maximum turnout in the previous elections].”

According to Rezazadeh, 34 elections have so far been held in Iran. The average turnout in Iranian elections stands at 67.7 percent. Average turnout in the past 11 editions of the country’s presidential votes is 66.7 percent. People’s average turnout in the previous editions of city and village councils election also amounts to more than 60.5 percent.

Iran’s presidential and City and Village Councils elections are going to be held on Friday, May 19.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14

The stump speeches by Iranian presidential candidates Ebrahim Raisi and Hassan Rouhani were widely covered by Iranian newspapers today.

Many papers highlighted Rouhani’s address to the gathering of his fans and celebrities in Azadi Stadium in Tehran, and Raisi’s speech in the gathering of his fans in Ardabil.

Another top story was the remarks made by presidential candidate Mostafa Hashemitaba in support for Rouhani. Hashemitaba clearly stated that he will vote for Rouhani in May 19 elections, but stressed that he won’t withdraw.

The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:

 

19 Dey:

1- Rouhani: Some Stabbed Us in the Back; I’m Sacrificing My Reputation for People

2- Jahangiri: Dialogue for Coalition Has Started between Candidates

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14

 


Abrar:

1- Rouhani: We’ll Double Non-Oil Exports, Eradicate Poverty in Next 4 Years

2- IRGC Navy Commander: Iran’s Deterrent Power Incomparable with Past

3- Raisi: We Can Save the Country under Current Circumstances

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14

 


Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Hello to Reformists

  • Rouhani Attends Huge Gathering of Fans, Celebrities

2- Rouhani: I’ll Make People Needless of State TV

3- Actor Shahab Hosseini: I’ll Vote to Support Rouhani

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14


Asrar:

1- Jahangiri: Reformism Movement is within Establishment

2- Raisi: We Should Work Honestly for People

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14


Ebtekar:

1- Hashemitaba: I’ll Vote for Rouhani, but I Won’t Withdraw

2- Rouhani Fans Shout: We’ll Never Return to the Past

3- Iran Leader Pays Visit to Former Judiciary Chief in Hospital

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14


Ettela’at:

1- Fight against Contrabands Needs Cooperation of All Bodies: Official

2- MP: Tripling Cash Handouts Only Possible by 10-Fold Increase in Fuel Price

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14

 


Haft-e Sobh:

1- Main Rivals

  • Amid Recession in Qalibaf’s Camp, Rouhani Addressed Huge Gathering of Fans
  • Raisi Also Became Rouhani’s Main Rival by Appearing in 3 Cities within Hours

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14

 


Hemayat:

1- Former US Treasure Official Admits Iran New Sanctions Violate JCPOA

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14

 


Iran:

1- Top Sunni Cleric: Rouhani’s Gov’t Facilitated Sunnis’ Greater Role in Iran

2- End of Annual Book Festival: Tehran Book Fair Wrapped up

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14

 


Javan:

1- Rouhani Invited to Head-to-Head Debates

2- Leader’s Representative in IRGC: IRGC Won’t Interfere in Elections

3- IMF Statistics Show Rouhani Gov’t Has Spent More Money than Previous Gov’ts

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14

 


Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Rouhani: We’ll Continue Path of Respecting Entire Nation’s Rights

2- Iran to Receive 4 ATR Planes This Week

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14

 


Kayhan:

1- Government Fails in Test of Honesty, Accountability Due to Its Blatant Lies

2- Fear of People’s Awareness: 60 Lawsuits Filed against Kayhan in 10 Days

  • Rouhani’s Gov’t Moves Borders of Freedom of Speech

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14


Resalat:

1- Raisi: Four Years Were Wasted Because of Dependence on Foreigners

2- Mirsalim: Rouhani Administration’s Look Only on US

3- Nasrallah: Bin Salman Should Know Imam Mahdi Will Definitely Reappear in Mecca

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14


Shahrvand:

1- MPs Working on a Plan that Prevents Officials from Telling Lies

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 14