Al-Monitor - Although he likely meant to touch upon a vast array ofissues of concern to Iranians,President HassanRouhanicouldn't help but focus on Donald Trump's recent offer of talks and on Iran's economic problems during hislive interview on state TV on Aug. 6.
Almost all Iranian newspapers covered the interview on their front pages the next day, with headlines focusing on the parts of the interview that best matched their editorial lines. Papers representing the pro-reform campsuch asAftab,EtemadandSharghhighlighted the president's comments onholding referendums to settle major domestic disputes, as enshrined in Article 59 of the Iranian Constitution.
Rouhani sparked controversy earlier this yearin a speechon the anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution by unearthing the same proposal.