Darius Karimian

Thereby circumventing US sanctions that prohibit the use of the dollar in transactions with Iran. A tip for other nations. Three Korean banks have opened an office in Tehran.

Yesterday, Iran’s foreign minister began a six-nation mission to Latin America centred on trade and diplomacy. Oil, energy, and maritime issues will dominate meetings. The region is vital for Iran’s domestic economy. The nuclear deal has not brought real benefits, helping domestic hard-liners (and Ahmadinejad). Norway opens a US$ 1 billion line of credit.

After the second round of the elections two days ago, the reformists can count on 133 seats; the conservatives 125 and for the first time they lose their majority. There are also 17 women, mostly reformist. A female member of parliament was blocked by the Guardian Council for having shaken hands with a man. The doubts of Khamenei.

A letter from Javad Zarif to Ban Ki-moon, recalls the injustices suffered by the people of Iran because of US policy. Criticism of the Supreme Court that allows the release of frozen funds to compensate victims of terrorism in Beirut.

The reformer-moderate block tripled its seats over previous elections. They also improved their results in the election to the Assembly of Experts. In the new parliament, there are 14 women, mostly reformist. The more conservative and radicals leaders have been ousted. Iranians approve Rouhani’s line, the nuclear deal, a normalised foreign policy and a revamped economy. Some doubts remain about to Khamenei and the Pasdaran.

Iranians tomorrow pick a new parliament (Majlis) and a new Assembly of Experts. The latter will likely choose a new supreme leader. Moderates and conservatives are in a competitive race only in Tehran. The former want to continue a policy of openness to the world and find diplomatic solutions to Mideast wars; however, the latter control the media, Friday prayers, the army and the Pasdaran.

The country’s papers carry front-page photos of the Vatican meeting, except for Keyhan, a paper close to Khamenei. Foreign Minister Zarif comments meeting on Twitter. Online paper Asriran publishes photo gallery. Iranian intellectuals criticise the Italian government for covering nude statues at the Capitoline Museums to "avoid a little embarrassment for the sake of economic contracts with Iran."

The US has imposed new sanctions on groups linked to the missile tests. But Obama emphasizes the "historic progress" made by Iran. In Tehran the stock exchange reacted well; the rial has increased its value; economic newspapers all sold out. Fears for the upcoming elections of the Council of Experts and parliament.