Politics
- Interim Tehran Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati praised the peoples participation in the 2013 elections, and discussed moderation andrelations with the United States:
- I view this discussed moderation as the Imam [Khomeinis] line, will, and Sahifeye Nour [collection of Khomeinis works and speeches], because the Imam stated opinions in all areas. Our position is clear against the hypocritical and anti-revolutionary Americans. Therefore, from my perspective, moderation is The Excellency Imams lighting line.
- After President-elect Hassan Rouhani criticized unemployment and economic conditions during his Parliamentary address earlier this week, MP Ali Asqar Zareicriticized Rouhanis blackeningand warned [Who knows,] this sort of blackening may entrap the new administration in a future not too far.
- The Front of theFollowers of the Lineof theImamand Supreme Leader Secretary Habibollah Asgar Owladi discussed theimplications of Rouhanis election and commented on imprisoned 2009 Presidential candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi:
- Rouhanis election fulfilled the prayers of the Supreme Leader.
- "If you pay attention to the media, Rouhani has taken a position regarding relationswith Lebanon and Syria alongside resistance in the region, and in my opinion his election was Gods will, and we must submit to Gods satisfaction.
- A cabinet should be formed that includes both Principlists and Reformists.
- Regarding Mousavi and Karoubi, he said, Regarding the Imam [Khomeini], Supreme Leader, and the system, in this month of Ramadan that is the month of repentance, [they] should create a situation inwhich during the Nights of Qadr they should take this peace that has emerged for the nation to the side of Perfection [God], and during the Eid-e Fitr this year, [pray that] a religious culture will be created for the nation.
- Mashhad Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Ahmad Alam ol-Hoda warned, Do not allow political events to change you and make you weak in your [faith]. [Political] currents that [change] should not [allow] youto let go of your values and your loyalty to the Supreme Leader and the revolution.
- Gorgan Province Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Kazem Nour Mofidi discussed the recent Egyptian unrest and said, If [Mohamed] Morsi had acted rationally he would be successful, but instead ofrelations with Iran and Syria, he continued relations with Israel
- Islamic Engineers Society Secretary MP Mohammad Reza Bahonar discussed2013 election implicationsand said, The people observed eight years of Reformist extremism and eight years of Principlist measures that were accompanied by their insular view. The people turned to moderation after these sixteen years. He then praised Rouhani and said, Not only was Rouhanis slogan moderation, Rouhanis [being] was also moderation.
- Head of the National Inspectorate Organization Mostafa Pour Mohammadi said thatPrinciplist thought was victoriousdue to the creation of a political epic in the elections, but that Principlist organizational activities were defeated in these elections and Reformist organizational activities were victorious.
- Father of slain Kahrizak detention center detainee Abdolhossein Rouholamini said, The Kahrizak case has not closedand we will certainly protest [former Tehran Prosecutor Saeed] Mortazavis verdict.
Regional Developments
- Iranian media reports that American-supportedtakfiriforceslaunched mortar shells at Seyyeda Zeinab Shia shrinenear Damascus, killing the shrines manager Anas Romani.
- Hassan Nasrallah responded to messages of congratulations by senior Iranian officials on the anniversary of the victory of the Resistance in the 33-day War [2006 Israel-Hezbollah War], and said, It is not possible for the Lebanese nation to forget the great Islamic Republic of Iran's support of Lebanons resistance.
- The Free Syria Army reportedlylaunched missiles at Damascus International Airport, killing at least twenty. The Syrian government has yet to confirm nor deny the report.
- Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA) reports thathead of the Lawa Dawood terrorist group Ahmad Mohammad Dak Zadehhas been killed by the Syrian army.
Diplomacy
- Lebanese President Michelle Suleiman thanked outgoing and incoming Presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Rouhani for their messages of congratulations on theanniversary of the victory of the Resistance in the 33-day War. He said, With Rouhanis election, the region has entered a new stage, and we hope that this new opportunity will set the stage for new evolutions toward the peace between regional nations.
- Special adviser to the Supreme Leader's Representation to the IRGC Hojjat al-Eslam Mojtabi Zolnour said, regarding reports of former British FMJack Straws possible attendance at Rouhanis inauguration, The policy of the Global Arrogant powers [West] toward other countries, including ours, is a policy of sticks and carrots that sometimes comes as a threat and sometimes as a deception....If the English want to express their honesty and happiness toward the rise of Rouhani [by using] the title selected by the people, [they should] not obstruct our countrys nuclear program; reduce and eliminate the evil sanctions; not strengthen the Islamic Republics opposition; and not interfere in the affairs of our nation. But [in order to] pretend, they have turned to such low cost measures."
- Iranian Ambassador to Jordan Mostafa Mosleh discussed the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran during a one-hour interview on Jordanian television and said, Although invasion is in their nature, they do not dare attack Iran because they fear Irans response.
- Deputy Foreign Minister for Middle East and African Affairs Amir Abdollahiancondemned the recent violence in Bahrain, and said, Paying attention to the peoples legitimate demands, which are being pursued democratically and peacefully, is the most appropriate solution.... The solution in Bahrain is purely political and consists of moving away from violence and suppression to respect for fundamental human rights; continuing the status quo will not help the security of Bahrain and the region.
- In a separate statement, Abdollahian said, American measures to implement the trend of compromise is doomed to defeat.
- Iran and Iraq have reportedly signed agreements to expand oil expansion activitiesin drilling industries.
- Iran-Iraq War researcher and author BG Nikkhah Bahrami suggested thatIran could seek war reparations from Iraq in international courtsin a special way.
Military and Security
- Minister of Intelligence Hojjat al-Eslam HeidarMoslehi reacted to recent reports of surveillance equipment found in MP Ali Motaharis officeand said, This important adventure raises questions from multiple dimensions..." He added that the ministry has been investigating this case since last Thursday.
Economy
- Minister of Economic Affairs Shamseddin Hosseini announced that non-oil exports have increased in the past year, adding that nothing is more difficult during sanctions than transferring and transporting currency.
- Mehr News reports that the Iranian Chamber of Commerce is takingmeasures to nullify the effects of the sanctions, while Iran's largest trade committee has traveled to Armenia.
- Civil activist Hossein Kanani Moghaddam said thatcivil societies and NGOs have an important role to play in combating sanctions.
- World Bank officials announced that Iran can no longerborrow moneyfrom the organization due to non-payment of $679 million of debt.
By Iran Tracker
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