Shargh (شرق in Persian, translated as East in English) is the most popular reformist newspaper in Iran (Persia). It is managed by Mehdi Rahmanian, and its chief editor is Mohammad Ghouchani. Mohammad Atrianfar, its head of "Policy-making Council" is also considered among the main influences. Persian is a language spoken in Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... For other uses of this term see: Persia (disambiguation) The Persian Empire is the name used to refer to a number of historic dynasties that have ruled the country of Persia (Iran). ... Mohammad Ghouchani (Persian: محمد قوچانی ) is an Iranian young journalist. ... Mohammad Atrianfar (محمد عطریانفر; born 1953) is an Iranian journalist and reformist politician, currently the head of the Policymaking Council of the daily newspaper Shargh. ...

Some people claim that the newspaper has a hidden agenda of helping the political goals of the Executives of Construction Party (Hezb-e Kaargozaaraan-e Saazandegi), including trying to nominate Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani for the 2005 Iranian presidential election and then making him win the popular vote. The Executives of Construction Party (حزب کارگزاران سازندگی) is a political party in Iran, founded by several members of the cabinet of the then-President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. ... Alī Akbar Hāschemī Rafsanjānī (Persian: اکبر هاشمی رفسنجانی), born as Hashemi Bahramani (هاشمی بهرمانی) , born August 25, 1934, is one of the most influential Iranian politicians, and is currently serving as the Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council of Iran. ... (Redirected from 2005 Iranian presidential election) Iranian presidential election of 2005 will take place on June 17, 2005. ...

Temporary ban

Shargh had published 141 editions before the temporary ban by the Iranian judiciary system on February 18, 2004, one day before the parliament election, after publishing an open letter from some members of the outgoing parliament to Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader. The letter was read to journalists by Mohsen Armin, one of the organizers of the MPs sit-in criticizing the vettings of the Council of Guardians. February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Politics of Iran Categories: Stub | 2004 elections | Elections in Iran ... Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (Persian: آیت‌الله سید علی خامنه‌ای) (born July 15, 1939) is the Iran. ... Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran. ... Mohsen Armin (Persian: محسن آرمین ) is an Iranian politician. ... The Guardian Council of the Constitution (شورای نگهبان قانون اساسی in Persian) is a high office within the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran which has the authority to interpret the constitution and to determine if the laws passed by the parliament are in line with the constitution of...

The situation got more interesting when Mehdi Rahmanian, Shargh's manager in charge, met Saeed Mortazavi, Tehran's general prosecutor, the next day to discuss a removal of the ban. After that, Rahmanian wrote a public letter asking for forgiveness, telling that he couldn't confirm that the letter was actually from the MPs and signed by them, and that even in the case it was, it would have been a non-professional act to publish "offensive" texts. Saeed Mortazavi (سعید مرتضوی in Persian) is as of 2003 the general prosecutor of Tehran. ... Map of Iran and surrounding lands, showing location of Tehran View from Jamaran looking southwest toward Elahiyeh, Jordan, and Shemiran districts of Tehran. ...

Mortazavi had announced that he had ordered the ban because of a request by the High Council of National Security, which Hassan Rowhani, the council's chair, and Mohammad Khatami, the president, later denied on February 20 and February 23 respectively, mentioning the matter was not even discussed at the council's meeting. Hassan Rowhani (حسن روحانی) is an Iranian politician and cleric, and as of July 2005, the Secretary of the High Council of National Security of Iran. ... Seyyed Mohammad Khatami (Persian : سید محمد خاتمی), born September 29, 1943 in Ardakan city of Yazd province, is an Iranian intellectual, philosopher and political figure. ... February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

The ban was removed on February 28, 2004, and Shargh was published again from March 3, 2004. February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Online version of the Shargh newspaper (in Persian)
• PBS - Wide Angle: Red Lines and Deadlines