Rouhani's Promises to Qom's Religious Authorities

"Economic Peace Statement with Iran" is described by the newspaper Te'adol as a joint statement issued by "four major economic and political powers of the world to defend trade with Iran." According to this newspaper, "the US, France, Germany, and the UK stated in their joint statement that as long as Iran complies with all regulations, we will not hinder legitimate trade activities with Iran and will not stand in the way of international companies or financial institutions working with Iran." Te'adol emphasizes that this statement was issued "just hours after the remarks of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran at the conference on reconnecting Iran to the global financial community in London," where Valiollah Seif stated: "European bankers are afraid of American prosecutors" and "while all nuclear sanctions against Iran have been lifted, sanctions outside the scope of the JCPOA remain in effect." The newspaper reported that Valiollah Seif added, "This has made large commercial banks around the world reluctant to work with Iranian counterparts due to fear of penalties arising from unintentional violations of US regulations." However, the newspaper Javan, close to the Revolutionary Guards, accused the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran on its front page of having made "more promises to European banks during his trip to London to overcome America's broken promises" and even "instead of JCPOA-related claims, he has made new commitments." This newspaper wrote that Valiollah Seif, at the "reconnection of Iran to the global financial community" conference in London, called for "seriousness from the opposing parties in fulfilling their commitments related to the JCPOA in financial and banking matters, but what comes from the content of his remarks indicates that Seif has new commitments for implementing the JCPOA; commitments such as implementing the standards of the Basel Committee [a major international banking oversight body] and standards for combating money laundering and terrorism financing." This newspaper close to the Revolutionary Guards even criticized the location of this conference, namely "London," stating: "If we trace the history of the old colonial powers taking over the monetary market of the Middle East, we will understand why the President's office participates in an economic conference organized by a newspaper in London, or why the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran is present at this conference to solve banking problems," and "now London is likely focusing its negative attention on Iran's blocked funds abroad." The newspaper Etemad reported on "the possibility of setting a price of 1250 tomans for gasoline" and wrote that for determining the gasoline price this year, "the government considers a single equilibrium rate appropriate." This newspaper noted that according to a resolution by the ninth parliament, "the dual pricing of gasoline is certain," but "it is still unclear what the price of the two different rates of gasoline will be" as "the government has three major visible reasons for opposing dual pricing of gasoline; first, next year there is a presidential election, and any increase in gasoline prices could create public discontent. Second, the decision the government made last June to eliminate fuel cards becomes null with the new parliament's decision, and third, the 'corruption' that the government believes will arise from dual pricing of gasoline." The newspaper Etemad quoted Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the government spokesman, as saying: "If a percentage of the people consume gasoline at 1500 tomans, all decisions will focus on this 1500 tomans. Even if there are supposed to be rates of 1000 and 1500 tomans, the government will calculate the average, while the government believes that increasing the gasoline price beyond 1000 tomans is not cost-effective." This newspaper wrote: "Mohammad Baqer Nobakht's remarks clearly indicate that the government's view is on a single price of 1250 tomans for gasoline because the average of the two rates of 1000 and 1500 tomans is indeed 1250." The newspaper Kayhan focused on the "third anniversary ceremony of the political satire Dr. Salam" held on Thursday and named attendees including "Ahmad Tavakoli, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Parviz Davoodi, Abbasali Kadkhodai, Mohammad Mahdi Zahedi, Mohammad Hosseini, Mohammad Javad Larijani, Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi, Hassan Abbasi, Mohammad Hossein Safar Harandi, Mohammad Hossein Najat, Saeed Qasemi, and Hossein Shariatmadari" as well as Ali Fadavi, commander of the Navy of the Revolutionary Guards. According to this newspaper, Tehran's mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf recounted a memory from the war years, saying, "They said we want to issue a directive so that managers no longer go to Hajj and focus on their work, but I told them please do not do this because when managers are not present, work goes better," adding that now, "if some could not solve the country's problems with their keys, they should not create locks for their keys." Kayhan also reported that Hossein Shariatmadari, the director of this newspaper, stated at this ceremony: "Friends say the JCPOA is the shining sun and the greatest achievement not only in the revolution's era but the greatest achievement in the entire history of Iran; in this atmosphere, Hezbollah should not drown and must always keep its flag high and demand" because "gradually the cloud that some have scattered in the atmosphere will dissipate, and always around is around Hezbollah." The newspaper Shargh, while printing a caricature of Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf alongside Hossein Shariatmadari, referred to Qalibaf as the "Sardar Mayor" and described the Thursday celebration as "electoral" and "a gathering of government opponents with a touch of satire." This newspaper noted that "the third anniversary celebration of the internet satire program Dr. Salam was held on Thursday in the Hall of the Martyrs of the 7th of Tir, where the key word of all speakers was strong criticisms of the government," writing: "When the names of Hossein Shariatmadari and Hassan Abbasi are announced as speakers at a ceremony, there is no expectation other than attacks and assaults on the government, but when Tehran's mayor opens his mouth to make sharp criticisms of Hassan Rouhani and his government, a speculation arises: perhaps Sardar Mayor has presidential aspirations for the third time, as he showcases himself as the star of the parliament of government opponents, trying to outpace figures like Shariatmadari, Hassan Abbasi, and Saeed Qasemi in criticizing the government." Shargh pointed out that "the organizers of the ceremony presented a caricature of the mayor of Tehran, of course in Superman's outfit, as a gift" and "introduced him as a symbol of acceptability of criticism," writing: "It may be a good criterion to remind that Baqer Qalibaf, after Ahmadinejad, holds the record for suing media and journalists." The newspaper Iran, close to the government, highlighted Hassan Rouhani's trip to Qom on its front page and reported on the President's meeting with eight religious authorities based in Qom. This newspaper noted that Rouhani's previous three trips since winning the presidential election in 2013 occurred on July 4, 2014, August 26, 2014, and February 25, 2015, and that his fourth trip to Qom, nearly fifteen months later, emphasized "the cooperation of the clergy and the government" to "solve the people's problems." Abolhasan Navab, a member of the Combatant Clergy Association and President of the University of Religions and Denominations, evaluated the "messages of Rouhani's meeting with the religious authorities" as "positive," writing: "Although the visits of Mr. Rouhani and government members to Qom do not mean that all issues that may exist between the clergy and the government have been resolved, they will certainly minimize these problems. Because the clergy, regardless of conventional political boundaries, express concerns and criticisms that ultimately aim at the elevation of religion, government, and nation." The editorial writer of the newspaper Iran described the "relationship between Rouhani and the eleventh government with the religious authorities" as "one of the best relationships in the last 37 years," stating: "This does not mean ignoring the efforts of some to create margins or generate negative impressions and concerns among the clergy and seminaries." Abolhasan Navab noted that "some may be worried about opposing voices coming from parts of Qom," emphasizing that in "Qom, various currents are present, currents that have their own thoughts, beliefs, and even specific supporters. Although these voices should be listened to and legitimate concerns heard, the main current in this city and the overall output of Qom are the realities presented in the meeting with the clerics; viewpoints that indicate the approval of the government's domestic and foreign policies, especially constructive engagement with the world by the clerics." The newspaper Javan, close to the Revolutionary Guards, however, reported with the headline "The Clerics' Recommendations on Livelihood to Rouhani, Rouhani's Promises to the Clerics," stating: "The main focus of all the clerics' emphasis to the President was solving the problem of employment and public livelihood." This newspaper noted that Hassan Rouhani had included "solving these problems in his electoral slogans," writing that after Rouhani's presidency, "government officials stated that solving these problems was contingent on signing the JCPOA, but after the JCPOA was realized, no breakthrough occurred in this matter, prompting the clerics and scholars of Qom to emphasize solving these problems during their meeting with the President." The newspaper Hamdeli, in its front page title "Insult in Tehran, Tribute in Qom," wrote: "Despite the clerics' praise for the government's performance, opponents do not cease their attacks." The newspaper Vaghaye Ettefaghieh, in a note, accused reformists, especially supporters of Mohammad Reza Aref's presidency, of forgetting the "pragmatic position of the Esfand 7th" and accused them of "backbiting," writing: "Is it chivalrous to choose a principled conservative before the elections with mutual understanding and now, because our post-Esfand 7th expectations are not met, to fall into the trap of accusations and slander?" Sajjad Salek, a member of the Iranian Call Party, noted that "the day when Kazem Jalali and Behrouz Namati were to be included in the Hope list, it was clear to us that these two were close to Ali Larijani and not only showed more inclination to his views in the election of the Speaker of Parliament but also in other matters," writing: "If there is to be criticism, it should be directed at reformists who may wish to behave differently and in alignment with another faction, but the status of these moderate conservatives was clear from the beginning," and thus "this is not the custom of political games; either we should not go forward with a minimal and coalition view from the start, or if we do, at least do not backbite." The newspaper Vaghaye Ettefaghieh also dedicated its front page photo to Mahmoud Alavi, the Minister of Intelligence, introducing "the priority of a secure society over a security-based society" as the policy of this ministry. The newspaper Hamdeli dedicated its front page photo to Kayhan Kalhor, a renowned musician of traditional Iranian music, reporting under the title "The Sound of Kamancheh in the Garden of Silence" that "with Kayhan Kalhor's performance in Gorgan, the chain of concert cancellations was broken." According to this newspaper, "Although about ten days ago, Kayhan Kalhor's concert in Nishapur was canceled, this artist was able to hold his concert in Gorgan without any controversy, and if the situation continues this way, he will resume his concerts in Tehran from the first of Khordad." The newspaper Hamdeli recalled that "the concert of Shahram Nazeri, a prominent singer of traditional music in Iran, was also canceled by judicial authorities in Nishapur."