A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by AEI Critical Threats Project Iran Analyst Mehrdad Moarefian and Iran Intern Amir Toumaj, with contributors Chris Rawlins, Diana Timmerman, and Marie Donovan.

Regional Developments and Diplomacy

• Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Shamkhani met with Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. Shamkhani praised the Lebanese resistance forces and said:
  
  
  
  • “Lebanese society is undoubtedly indebted to the selfless efforts and the great heroic youth of Hezbollah for its unparalleled proactive fight against terrorism.”
  
  
  • “The people’s trust in Hezbollah authorities is the greatest source of wealth…”
  
  
  • Nasrallah added, “Hezbollah's priority in its confrontation against the threats of Takfiri terrorism is preventing the spread of crisis and insecurity to the Lebanese community and maintaining and strengthening the stability and national unity of the country."
  
  
  • Nasrallah gave praise for its continued support: "Fighting the growing threats of Takfiri terrorism needs non-theatrical moves and avoidance of double-standard and suspicious behavior." (Tasnim News Agency)
  
  
  
  


• SNSC Secretary Shamkhani also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Tamam Salam to discuss regional threats. Shamkhani announced that Iran will supply the Lebanese army with military equipment. Shamkhani said:
  
  
  
  • “I will confer with Lebanese officials on the framework of defense cooperation between Iran and Lebanon as well as providing the Lebanese army with its equipment needs.”
  
  
  • “Iran’s assistance will be delivered to Beirut during an upcoming visit by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan to Lebanon.”
  
  
  • “The Islamic Republic has no red lines for providing military aid to Lebanon to help it in the fight against terror and consolidate stability and security in the country.” (Mehr News)
  
  
  • Following his meetings with Lebanese officials, Shamkhani traveled to Syria. (Fars News Agency)
  
  
  
  


• SNSC Secretary Shamkhani met with Syrian President Bashar al Assad in Damascus. During the meeting Assad thanked Shamkhani and praised Iran for its support to Syria. The two discussed the threat posed by ISIL and its regional supporters. Shamkhani also met with Syria’s Security Council Secretary General Ali Mamluk to discuss political and security developments. (IRNA)


• In an interview with a Russian news network, President Hassan Rouhani said the outrageous and blind sanctions against different countries should stop:
  
  
  
  • “Sanctions are the wrong tool, and if countries do not stand against them, everyday they will be applied more strongly against a single country.”
  
  
  • “Sanctions are a loss for every country, but countries who are under sanctions should fight against them, and other countries should help.”
  
  
  • “Before the announcement of sanctions against Russia, the Islamic Republic of Iran developed a relationship and arrived at an agreement for the exchange of goods that will be implemented soon.” (ISNA)
  
  
  
  


• Head of the Expediency Discernment Council Strategic Research Center and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Velayati met with senior research fellow at China’s Renmin University Wang Wen and discussed diplomatic and strategic ties between Iran and China:
  
  
  
  • Wang Wen noted that, “After the Islamic Revolution, Iran has been the only country which has been stable and a real power in the region; relations with Iran are of great importance to China’s foreign policy.”
  
  
  • Velayati stated, “Iran and China are very close on global issues and regional perspectives and interests; based on this, they have taken steps in order to develop cooperation at the strategic level…. Cooperation between these two countries on joint projects and various fields creates long-standing relations between the two countries, as well as cooperation and consultation of Iran and China particularly in regional areas and in the fight against terrorism which will be very helpful, because the region of the Middle East has become of great importance as the world’s energy supplier.”   (ISNA)
  
  
  
  


• President Rouhani’s Advisor for Executive Affairs Mohammad Shariatmadari met with former Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments. (Nividar)


• Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani met with Irish Parliament Minister Sean Barret and spoke about potential economic relations between the two countries, the nuclear negotiations, and terrorism:
  
  
  
  • “Of course in the past there have been economic relations between the two countries, but today we discussed other ways to increase economic activity.”
  
  
  • “Ireland is a member of the European Union and as such their stance on peace-keeping issues is closer to reality.”
  
  
  • “At the meeting we discussed the nuclear issues and also regional issues, particularly on how the fight against terrorism must be done wisely and precisely.” (Fars News Agency)
  
  
  
  

• Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Air Force Commander Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Haji Zadeh announced plans for the development of a new combat helicopter and said "As soon as the manufacturing phases are completed, we will publicize it.” (Tasnim News Agency)


• Artesh Commander Maj. Gen. Ataollah Salehi visited the “second division of the maritime provinces” to monitor the “process of progress of working plans and developmental projects in the area of construction and infrastructural works.” Salehi also visited the Second Commando Hazrat Rasul Akram Brigade Camp and examined “the rate of the brigade’s combat readiness and capability.”  The brigade performed tactical exercises and “displayed [its] mastery in light and heavy weapons” as well as its “readiness and combat capability.”   (Defa Press)

• Coordination Deputy for the Supreme Leader’s Representation to the IRGC Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Sepehr discussed  the global quality of the values of the Islamic Revolution:
  
  
  
  • “Today, our mission is not limited to the borders of the Islamic Republic; but to achieve the formation of a new Islamic civilization and the continuation of the way of the martyr, we must insert piety into the law and strengthen spiritualty in our work agenda.”
  
  
  • “…we proved that [our] religion and religious leadership is the best and most perfect strategic management for the redemption of mankind, the economy, and peace in the world. We proved that Islam is the best and most sublime and has the best policies and programs for the peace and defense of the world.” (Sepah News)
  
  
  
  

• Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced that nuclear negotiations will resume within the next ten days. International and Legal Affairs Deputy to the Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously announced that negotiations will resume in a European country. In New York Aragchi stated:
  
  
  
  • “We were able to be in an environment that is much more conducive for reaching an understanding, but there remain significant differences…some of the ideas presented in New York are still promising, but none of them could bring us to a common understanding on key issues, and we could not achieve tangible progress in the talks.” (Tasnim News Agency)
  
  
  
  

• Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi signed a contract for the construction of an irradiation facility in Qazvin Province. Construction is to begin soon. In this facility an industrial accelerator with the capacity of producing 100 Kilowatts and 10 MeV of energy will be placed in the facility. The applications for this technology include the production of polymers and industrial materials, sterilization of disposable medical equipment, and the decontamination of agricultural products.  (ISNA)