TEHRAN PAPERS:

The new sanctions have no economic purpose

November 29, 2022 - 11:2

Most newspapers published photos of President Ebrahim Raisi’s attendance at the naval parade in Jask port, running headlines that Makran becomes an economic hub.

Arman Melli: Hitting reputation or economy?

Arman Melli, in its editorial, pointed to the impact of human rights sanctions against Iran under the headline “Hitting reputation or economy?”

Canada, the European Union and some other countries have started imposing sanctions against Iran since a few weeks ago, sanctions that seem to have no effect on Iran’s economy. It seems that the Westerners are trying to create some kind of psychological pressure on Iran so that eventually Tehran will fall short of some of its demands in a possible revitalization of the nuclear agreement, because they have not officially announced that diplomacy with Tehran has ended.

The sanctions may not affect the economic situation in Iran but it targets Iran’s position in the international scene, and may affect Iran’s communications with the world, Yousef Moulai, a distinguished professor of human rights, told Arman Melli.

In two notes, the pro-reform newspaper also highlighted the need to reform foreign policy and create an atmosphere for dialogue in the society.

Iran’s foreign policy in the current situation, due to the wave of Western attacks, needs to create new conditions. Part of these developments should be put on the agenda by Iran, former diplomat Abdolreza Faraji-Rad wrote.

Ahmed Shirzad, a reformist figure also wrote, “What is certain is that dialogues are very effective in different areas of society. One of the problems is that some young people feel that they are not heard at all.”

 Hamshahri: U.S. scored own goal

The conservative Hamshahri newspaper wrote an article headlined “The U.S. scored own goal” in which it criticized the U.S for displaying Iran’s national flag on social media without the emblem.

“America modified the flag of our country in social media. According to FIFA rules, there is still a possibility of fines and bans for American football. If someone tries to disrupt the focus of the national team with these acts, it only proves that they do not know the Iranian football. The national team always becomes a better team under pressure and in difficult situations, and the same thing will happen this time.

This time, the American-made trouble will also take their toll. It is predicted that the American Football Federation may be fined and banned for this action,” the report highlighted.

Sharq: Dialogue only solution to problems

In its first headline, the reformist Sharq newspaper reviewed the first visit of the new Iraqi Prime Minister to Iran with diplomatic, security goals and the prospect of strengthening peace.

Iraqi prime minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani is visiting Tehran at the invitation of President Ebrahim Raisi. The two issues of border security and the Baghdad meeting with the aim of reviving Tehran-Riyadh relations will prevail the talks, it said.

The newspaper also conducted an interview with Ahmad Mazani, a reformist cleric, titled “Dialogue, the only solution to the country’s problems”.

“In my opinion, the only solution to the country’s protests is ‘dialogue’ and any method other than dialogue will bring heavy costs to the country. If we do not take this path, we will inevitably heighten internal problems and create grounds for foreign interventions,” the former MP said.

“We were involved in the Iraq-imposed war for eight years… , which caused huge damage that created obstacles to advance the goals of the Islamic Revolution and our political, economic and cultural development,” he said, adding he believes that if violence is worsened, it will create a barrier to the “democratic process and slow down political and economic development.”

Kayhan: Nations show indignation toward Israel

In its first headline, Kayhan referred to the World Cup as an exhibition of nations’ disgust against Israel.

The 2022 World Cup in Doha is not only the record holder of the most expensive World Cup, but has become one of the most political. While during the first days, there was a lot of media pressure on some national teams, including the Iranian one, to show this team as isolated and marginalized, the continuation of the world competition in Doha turned the page to the other side and the name of Palestine was repeated more than any other event.

From armbands to flags and posters from the spectators in the stadiums, it has become a tool of solidarity with Palestine in the World Cup This is while Palestine does not have a team in this tournament. And even the number of its fans is more than all the famous football teams in the world.

As much as the support for Palestine is strong in the 2022 World Cup, indignation against the Zionist regime also surges in this event.

The paper also quoted Mick Wallace, a MEP for Ireland South, who has criticized protests in Iran in the European Parliament. He accused some demonstrators of violence and destruction and saying such civil unrest “would not be tolerated anywhere”.

Speaking in the European Parliament, Wallace told the debate there had been “violence and murders by some protesters, untold damage and destruction”.

He added there had been a “campaign of propaganda and destabilization” against Iran. “Iran is under attack,” Wallace said. “The media assault is intense.”