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Spotlight: Getting Rid Of “Death to America”

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SUMMARY: Former President Hashemi Rafsanjani has launched a stinging attack on State media, “The people are no longer affected by Broadcasting and the censored box that it gives to the people. The Iranian people are aware today and do not give their mind to the hand of a box that censors.”

President Rouhani, Rafsanjani’s protegé, has promised a relaxation of censorship, but the former President’s latest challenge appears to have been sparked by an argument with State broadcaster IRIB in the “Death to America” debate.

See Iran Analysis: Getting Rid Of “Death to America”

Rafsanjani has reportedly been among those calling for an end to the slogan, prominent at Tehran Friday Prayers and other public gatherings. He claimed that the late Ayatollah Khomeini had recommended the elimination of the chant before his death in 1989.

On Sunday, IRIB’s main news bulletin lashed out at the former President, saying his invocation of Khomeini was not reliable. The next day, Rafsanjani’s speech at a mosque was interrupted by a group who shouted the slogan.

The head of a Revolutionary Guards research center, Reza Sarraj, also criticized Rafsanjani:

The current that is busy distorting the Imam [Khomeini] and the revolutionary ideals of His Eminence in these days is the same historical current that believes some of the fundamentals of the Imam’s doctrine and ideals of the Revolution should be reconsidered and modified to expand and advance the country.

On the agenda of this current is describing undocumented and unapproved memories from the mouth of those who were relatives and close and casual acquaintances of the Imam. Describing memories regarding the Imam’s opposition to the “Death to America” slogan and the insistence of this current on this great historical distortion despite statements by the Works of the Imam Publication Institute Deputy…is an example of these measures.

(Hat tip to Iran Tracker)

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Supreme Leader’s Representative Calls Geneva Negotiations a “Win”

Hojjat al-Eslam Mohammad Mohammadian, the Supreme Leader’s Representative to the Universities, has called the negotiations in Geneva over Iran’s nuclear programme a win for Tehran.

Mohammadian said, “These negotiations by our team were successful in proving to the West that they have oppressed the people of Iran and that they are decreasing their oppression. This is considered one of the successes and wins. Otherwise, it is again proven that they are untrustworthy and only think of their own illegitimate interests and bullying, which is also considered a win for the regime.”

He added, “There is no problem with communication or negotiation with even the most hostile of enemies. It is even possible to have an agreement with the enemy.”

However, he warned that “America’s view towards us has not changed, and their hostility towards us has increased. People that are now negotiating with America must pay attention to the fact that America is still against us.”

Iran in Talks with French Oil Company Total Over Investment?

Iranian officials claim that the French oil company Total has entered talks with Tehran about renewing investment in the Islamic Republic’s energy sector.

The officials aid Total’s Vice President for Exploration and Production, Arnaud Breuillac, met the head of the National Iranian Oil Company, Rokneddin Javadi, in Tehran.

According to the officials, Total said it was ready to resume development of oil and gas production in Iran as soon as sanctions are lifted.

Iran’s ambassador to France, Ali Ahani, has claimed, “A large number of French companies are seeking appointments [with him] to understand how to prepare” for a return to the country.

A representative of the French company said it does not comment on business trips.

Subsidies to Higher Income Groups May be Cut

Government-funded subsidies to higher income group families may be cut, according to Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli.

Fazli stated, “Cutting subsidies to higher income groups depends on the approval of Parliament. Here, cuts of one, two, or three deciles are proposed, which will probably be implemented in the [2014] budget.”

Fazli has also just been appointed as the Supreme Leader’s Deputy to the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), effectively handing over the Supreme Leader’s authority over LEF affairs to the Interior Ministry.

Tehran Stock Exchange Recovering

The Tehran Stock Exchange has reportedly increased its return on investment to 4.5%, marking an 88% increase since mid-March.

FM Zarif Distances Himself from Report of Iranian Nuclear Proposals

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has distanced himself from the leak of Tehran’s nuclear proposals, via an Iranian official, to Barbara Slavin of Al Monitor on Thursday:

See Iran Spotlight: Details of Tehran’s Nuclear Offer at Geneva Talks

The leaking official had said that Iran proposed suspension of its enrichment of 20% uranium, with conversion of existing stock to fuel plates. He said Tehran would also consider tighter inspections of its heavy-water nuclear plant at Arak, due to open in late 2014, and might accede to the Additional Protocols of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Zarif’s comment is not as much a denial as respect for the call of Catherine Ashton, the lead negotiator of the 5+1 Powers, for confidentiality to protect the negotiators. Hard-liners in Iran are also trying to press the Rouhani Government, demanding full disclosure of this week’s discussions.

Top Economic Outlet: 5.8% Fall in GDP in 2012-2013

The leading economic newspaper Donya-e Eqtesad says Iran’s economy contracted by 5.8% in 2012-2013.

The outlet also cited a fall of 21.9% in fixed capital formation, including a 32% decline in the construction sector. Private sector consumption slumped by 1.9%.

The average rate of inflation was 30.5% during the year.

Hard-line Keyhan Criticizes Engagement with US: “Iran Doesn’t Need That Much Money to Survive”

The hard-line newspaper Keyhan has linked an attack on President Rouhani’s engagement of the US with an interesting defense of the “resistance economy”.

Its editorial began, “Instead of creating confidence in the enemy, belief must be created. Belief that despite all of these oppositions and position takings you can continue your path. The enemy must believe that the effect of its pressures and capability of exerting its pressures is not to such an extent that it can force the opposing side to surrender.”

Keyhan then tried to explain why Iran did not need to negotiate because of economic pressures, claiming that the country doesn’t need that much money to survive:

Many of the country’s economic specialists and officials, including the country’s Economy Minister, say that Iran can easily be managed with $35 billion and there is no need for the current $120 billion. This $35 billion can easily be secured through the country’s two to three neighbors who have a relatively strategic relationship with Iran.