US and Europe at odds over strategy for dealing with Iran - Financial Times

Iran's talks this weekend with the EU is making little progress, but revealing none the less. For instance, Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser to president Jimmy Carter said today that:

He believes that the west may even have to learn to live with a nuclear-armed Iran as it did with China, and later with India and Pakistan.

But the EU appears to need the US to make clear its position on Iran.

The US disagrees with EU3 proposals that Iran be offered assistance with a civilian nuclear programme as part of a deal to persuade Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. Washington is instead pressing its allies to start working on a Security Council resolution of condemnation that would pave the way towards sanctions.

"This is going to be the first test. It goes beyond Iran," said a European diplomat in Washington. "We have to figure out how a new Bush administration will behave and look at the first signals."

Equally, the diplomat said, the EU is not going to allow Iran to "hijack" its relationship with the Bush administration over the next four years. "The ball is in Iran's court," he said.

Top News Updates:

Guardian Angels - Once again, our enemies save America. Michael Ledeen, National Review

Worldwide Value - Bush’s appreciation of freedom shapes his foreign policy. Frank Gaffney Jr, National Review


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

China: Don't refer Iran to U.N. - CNN

A multilateral solution to the Iranian threat just became more unlikely. Today Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said:

"I also told these colleagues that, to my knowledge, Iran is having a pretty good cooperation with the IAEA," he said.

"And I also opened my mind to them that according to my reading of the pictures, according to my analysis, to bring the matter to the Security Council will only make the issue more complicated and more complex than necessary and more difficult to work out." more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Dutch political leader cites 'arrival of jihad' - Boston Globe

With the murder of Van Gogh in Holland this past week some in Europe appear to be waking up to the threat of Islamofacism.

Jozias van Aartsen, parliamentary speaker for the right-wing free market VVD party, said: ''The jihad has come to the Netherlands and a small group of jihadist terrorists is attacking the principles of our country. I hope the Netherlands will now move beyond denial and do what is fitting in a democracy; take action.

''These people don't want to change our society, they want to destroy it," he said. more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Bush win puts US on collision course with Iran - Sydney Morning Hearld

Here are a few excerpts.

Last week the Los Angeles Times quoted Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA Middle East analyst turned conservative commentator, as saying: "I've heard discussion of between 20 and 40 [suspected Iranian nuclear] sites you'd want to hit to deter the program."

The Administration was "very seriously" studying the possibility of military action against Iran, said Michael Rubin, a former US adviser in Baghdad who is a scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute in Washington. ...

British, French and German diplomats were downcast about the prospects for a meeting in Paris yesterday, at which they would again offer an Iranian delegation a range of incentives if Tehran agreed to abandon its plans for enriching uranium.

These talks have been going on for three years, but all Straw would say before the Paris meeting was: "It is difficult negotiating with Iran." more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Former Iran Hostage Recalls Harrowing Experience - WISH TV

There were few new stories on the anniversary of the hostage taking of US Embassy workers in Iran twenty five years ago. Here is one of the few.

Twenty-five years ago today, a group of students took dozens of Americans hostage at the US embassy in Tehran, Iran.

One of those former hostages is a retired Navy pilot who lives in the southern Indiana community of Bedford. more

NPR had a report as well.

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iran and Europe Locked in Nuclear Talks - NY Times

Anyone who thinks the Mullahs of Iran are going to give up on their nuclear ambitions is living in fantasty land and trusting them even more so.

In the negotiations, which stretched late into the night, the Iranians were willing only to consider a temporary suspension of perhaps six months to buy time for a broader agreement and avoid the threat of sanctions, according to officials involved in the negotiations. One European official labeled the Iranian position "suspension minus." more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Mock War Game Shows Limited U.S. Options on Iran - NPR

Atlantic Monthly magazine recently arranged a mock war
game to examine U.S. options if military force is used to prevent Iran
from becoming a nuclear power. NPR is providing a slideshow of the report.

Top News Updates:

Chinese FM discusses North Korea, Iran with Powell Yahoo News

Iran top leader insists Iran is not after nuclear weapon Haaretz

The Nuclear Case of Iran and the Survival of the Islamic Regime Payvand News

IRAN, EU TRIO IN "COMPLICATED" TALKS IN PARIS Iran Press Service

Inside Track / The fire next time Haaretz

Heading off a nuclear Iran National Post - Editorial


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

U.S. prefers diplomacy with Iran, but conflict possible - USA Today

Iran is becoming the top priority of the US.

Of all the foreign policy challenges facing President Bush in his second term, none — apart from Iraq — looms larger than Iran.

Iran is a top priority for at least three reasons:

•Nuclear proliferation. U.S. estimates of how long it will take Iran to be able to make a nuclear weapon range from one to four years.

•Iraq. Iran, which shares a lengthy border with Iraq, has close ties to Iraqi Shiite groups that could determine Iraq's political future. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told the Council on Foreign Relations, a New York-based think tank, Oct. 4 that the Iranians "clearly want to affect the outcome of the (Iraqi) election, and they are aggressively trying to do that. They're sending money in. They're sending weapons in." Iraq's elections are set for January.

•Terrorism. Iran supports Hezbollah and other anti-Israeli groups that have conducted numerous attacks and suicide bombings in Israel. Iran has also said it is holding al-Qaeda members who escaped from Afghanistan. In return for them, Iran wants the United States to hand over leaders of an Iranian opposition group based in Iraq. more

Top News Updates:

China's FM due in Iran Saturday Payvand News

Iran torn between pride, compromise in N-dispute Dawn

Beaten Iranian university chancellor says his capture was pre-planned Payvand News


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

US Elections: A win for violence - Iranian Press

The Iranian controlled newspapers reaction to the reelection of President Bush.

"Bush's victory proves that Americans themselves naturally lean towards violence," the Siassat Rouz (Politics of the Day) newspaper charged.

The reformist Shargh (East) newspaper said that "The American people have re-elected a man who not only has enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in Iran, France, Germany and even England." more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iran and EU "Big 3" to meet for nuke talks - Reuters

Time is runnng out for a compromise between the EU and Iran. Europe is desperately seeking a compromise before the November 25 meeting of the IAEA. If a breakthrough does not come before this meeting, Iran will be referred to the UN Security Council. .

Diplomats from France, Britain and Germany will meet their Iranian counterparts today to discuss an EU offer of incentives in exchange for a termination of Iran's uranium enrichment programme. ...

"We still want a termination of the enrichment programme and all related activities," a Western diplomat close to the EU-Iran talks said in Vienna. "I don't expect a breakthrough (on Friday)." more

Top News Updates:

Iran torn between pride, compromise in N-dispute Dawn

Iranians are Bush's biggest fans BBC Poll


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Remembering the Iran hostage crisis - BBC

To commemorate the occasion, BBCPersian.com spoke to two men involved - one an Iranian hostage-taker, the other one of his former captives.

They spoke of the traumatic events of that day and its lasting repercussions, both in their personal lives and for the two countries. more


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Analyst raises prospect of strikes on Iran - ABC News

Correspondent Martin Walker, now a senior editor with United Press International, says Mr Bush will pursue his conservative agenda with a strong mandate.

"I think we're also going to see, very, very quickly a real crisis with the rest of the world as George Bush carries out that pledge he made in the debates that Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

"How he does that, we don't know, but my guess is we could well be seeing Israeli war planes, with US support, hitting Iranian nuclear facilities within the next three or four months." more

Top News Updates:

Iran and EU hold last-chance meeting on Tehran's nuclear program Turkish Press

Iran's Nuclear Debate The Economist

Bush's First Test The Jerusalem Post

Librarian of Congress Visits Tehran AP

The Chinese Dream Iran va Jahan

IRANIAN MILITARY RHETORIC REFLECTS OUTSIDE PRESSURES RFEL

For ex-hostages, terrorism began in '79 - 66 Americans were held captive at U.S. Embassy in Iran AP

US stand on Iran crucial in oil issue Economic Times

A RUDE AWAKENING Amir Taheri, NY Post

Hellish elections Al-Ahram

W2: But Who Is He? Amir Taheri, Arab News

The deplorable condition of a group of Iranian refugees in France Iran Press News


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Britain: US attack on Iran 'inconceivable' - BBC

Britain makes it's postion clear.

UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw... said: "I don't see any circumstances in which military action would be justified against Iran, full stop." ...

Asked if it was inconceivable that the world would support US military action against Iran, presumably bombings or using Israel as a "proxy", Mr Straw replied: "Not only is that inconceivable but I think the prospect of it happening is inconceivable." ... The chances of another conflict in the wake of the Iraq war "pretty remote", he said.

"I don't think, please God, that we are going to see in the next four years the most cataclysmic event for international relations that we have seen in 60 years which occurred on 11 September 2001," he said. more

Top News Updates:

Britain will not back Iran war, says Straw Telegraph.co.uk

Germany pledges to work with U.S. on Iraq, Iran Reuters

Israel wants UN sanctions on Iran over nuclear programme AFP

EU presidency rejects talk of military strikes on Iran Turkish Press


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

FOR BUSH, IRAN WILL BE LEADING ISSUE - MENL

Time is running out for the Mullahs of Iran.

President George Bush was expected to make Iran his leading foreign policy concern during any second term in office.

Officials said the White House and other departments in the administration have already discussed U.S. options to halt or delay Iranian nuclear weapons production. They said the options would be examined and developed during 2005.

"The president knows about Iran and is worried about Iran, but has set aside this issue for his second term," an official said. "By next year, it will clearly be a leading national security issue." more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iranians welcome massively Bush's re-election - SMCCDI

In contrast to a few thousand Iranians got attention yesterday celebrating the anniversary of the hostage taking of the American embassy workers in 1979...

Millions of Iranians expressed their satisfaction on the outcome of the US Presidential elections and George W. Bush's victory by calling and congratulating each other. Many were seen walking in the streets and shaking each others hands or showing a discret V sign.

Many are speaking about the promises made by Mr. Bush to back the Iranian Nation in its quest for freedom and democracy. As Iranians and especially the younger generations have become happy, those affiliated to the Islamic regime are seen deeply worried about their future.

The regime and its US based known apologists and lobbyists had tried hard to make fear to Iranians on the outcome of a Bush win. Money was poured by controversial individuals, such as Akbar Ghahary the treasurer of IAPAC, to money oriented TV and radio networks, such as, 670 AM, Tamasha TV, Melli TV and a specific program of Apadana TV hosted by an ideologist named Faramarz Foroozandeh.

But all these desperate tries were not able to lure the Iranians of inside and nor especially the members of the Diaspora.

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iranian official: Iran can make atom bomb but does not plan to - Interactive Investor

More spin fron the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran has the capacity to produce nuclear weapons but does not
intend to do so, Ali Akbar Soltan, deputy director-general of Iran's foreign
ministry political department, was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

"We do not intend making nuclear weapons," he said. ...more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iran Celebrates Day It Humiliated 'Great Satan' - Reuters

Hardliners were unable to create the huge anti-American demonstrations that were once common in Iran.

Several thousand Iranians burned U.S. flags and George W. Bush effigies Wednesday, marking the 25th anniversary of the storming of the U.S. embassy in Tehran just as the U.S. presidential race neared its climax. ...

Enmity between the United States and Iran dates back to the 1979 seizure of the embassy by radical Islamic students who held 52 hostages there for 444 days. Washington severed ties with Tehran in 1980. ...

"The U.S. is now the most hated regime in the world," said cleric Mostafa Sadat-Beheshti, 46, who was among the crowd in front of the former diplomatic compound, now home to the Revolutionary Guards, in central Tehran. more

Top News Updates:

Demonstrations Throughout Iran Marking the Anniversary of the American Embassy Takeover in 1979 MemriTV Video Clip

Campaign against "Al-Quds Day" 2004 Official Website of Opposition Iranian Groups

Iran to fingerprint visitors from US Daily Times


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

UN nuclear report on Iran may weaken US case - Iran Press News

For those following Iran's nuclear crisis here are a few important developments.

A new report on UN nuclear inspections in Iran may be worded in a way that undermines the US case for reporting Tehran to the Security Council this month, diplomats said on Wednesday. United Nations nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei is due to present a report next week ...

“ElBaradei plans to say in his November report on Iran that the agency has so far found no evidence of diversion (to a nuclear weapons programme),” a diplomat who follows the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) probe told Reuters.

“But he will balance that by saying that Iran’s fuel cycle activities would appear to be out of proportion with the other parts of its nuclear programme,” the diplomat added, referring to Iran’s controversial uranium enrichment activities....

“ElBaradei told the Iranians that if the atmosphere in the EU three talks is positive, then his report on Iran will also be positive,” a diplomat said. “That is quite a carrot for Iran.” more

Top News Updates:

France demands halt to Iran's nuclear drive Expatica

Questions on the nuclear program in Iran French Foreign Ministry

German FM warns mullahs of Iran Persian Journal

EU foreign ministers tackle Iran, Iraq ahead of summit SpaceWar

Russia, Iran to sign nuclear deal in December Daily Times


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Death of a “Blasphemer” - FrontPage.com

I am posting Robert Spencer's article about the murder of van Gogh who produced a film (Real Video clip) about Islam's view of women. Here is his conclusion.

After van Gogh was killed, thousands of people took to the streets of Amsterdam to pay him homage. Among them, according to Agence France Presse, was a Muslim woman who stated: “I didn’t really agree with van Gogh but he was a person who used his freedom of expression.” She held up a sign saying, “Muslims Against Violence,” explaining: “I decided that as a Muslim and a Moroccan I should take up my responsibility to show that we do not support this act.” ...

If Western countries continue, out of ignorance, fear, or narrow self-interest, to refuse to find out, they will find themselves playing host to many more incidents like the bloody scene in Amsterdam Tuesday morning. The longer this question is ignored, or attributed only to “racist” sensibilities, the more likely it becomes that the killing of Theo van Gogh will not be a tragic anomaly, but a harbinger of things to come. more

Top News Updates:

Iran, India Reach Accord to Work On Gas Deposits Wallstreet Journal


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iran to upgrade its deterrent defense capability - Tehran Times

Further confirmation that Iran is an increasing danger to the west.

Minister of Defense Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani said here Tuesday that Iran's Organization of Aerospace Industries was to upgrade its defense capability so as to increase the vulnerability of countries that threaten Iran. ...

It goes without saying, Shamkhani said, that national security cannot be maintained without having the necessary strategic and military facilities. "Iran is located in a daunting geo-political environment" said the minister, arguing that with the increasing, international threats to its national security, Iran's acquisition of a modern defense system is an imperative." more

Top News Updates:

No place for weapons of mass destruction in Iran's military doctrine: UN envoy Tehran Times


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Khatami sees no bright outlook for Iran-US relations - Payvand News

Iran hopes for a return to detente policy. Don't bet on it, Khatami!

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said in Tehran on Tuesday
there is no bright perspective for Iran-US relations and expressed the
hope that great changes will be made in the US policies and
principles.

Talking to domestic and foreign reporters after delivering his
annual report on the performance of his government under the Third
Five-Year Development Plan (March 2000-March 2005) at the Majlis, he
also hoped that whoever is to be elected as the US president, would
move towards detente policy, securing national interest of the
American people, and adopting non-intervention policy regarding
domestic affairs of other countries. more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

EU softens demand on Iran for uranium enrichment suspension - Yahoo

The big three are caving into Iranian threats...

The European Union is no longer explicitly calling for an indefinite suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment, diplomats said, outlining a compromise proposal ahead of a crucial meeting with the Iranians on their nuclear programme.

The diplomats said ambassadors from Britain, France and Germany were Tuesday to hand over in Tehran the EU's written offer, ahead of a scheduled meeting with Iran in Paris on Friday on Europe's request for Iran to halt uranium enrichment, which can be used to make nuclear weapons.

"This paper fudges the uranium enrichment question by saying suspension needs to hold until the conclusion of negotiations over the long-term status of Iran's program," said a Western diplomat who requested anonymity. more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Controversial Dutch filmmaker shot dead - Reuters

A controversial Dutch filmmaker accused by Muslims of ridiculing their religion has been stabbed and shot dead on his bicycle, shocking the Netherlands where the murder was denounced as an attack on free speech. ... Police said the murder was clearly premeditated.

A note was found at the scene and, Dutch media said, it contained lines from the Koran, the Muslim holy book. more

Follow-Up Story:

Outside View: Challenging Islam is risky UPI


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Americans Rank Iran as the Greatest Threat - The Wall Street Journal

Interesting analysis and polling data...

Americans today reach the end of their first wartime presidential campaign in more than a generation, and the most pressing question on their minds is the obvious one: Who will win? But though it's been obscured by the fog of the campaign, an equally momentous question lurks in the background: Have Americans agreed on the role they want to play in the post-9/11 world?

The answer, at least in some broad ways, is yes. ...when Republican pollster Frank Luntz canvassed Americans at one point this year, they ranked Iran, with its nuclear potential, as the greatest threat. more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iran to U.S. winner: Keep away - CNN

Excerpt:

Iran's President Mohammad Khatami says he hopes the winner of the U.S. presidential election will not interfere in Iran's affairs. ...

"But I hope whoever is the winner, either Bush or Kerry will act realistically and rationally in the long-term interest of the United States to reduce tension by not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries," Khatami said. ...

Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the Iranian delegates told the Europeans that "restricting Iran's access to nuclear technology marks a red line for the country and it would not be acceptable at all." more

Top News Updates:

Call against the international “Al-Quds Day” on November 12, 2004 Banafsheh

An Iranian Animated Clip about the Bush-Kerry Race MemriTV

PLEASE VOTE FOR BUSH From a student inside of Iran another story

Iranian money financed suicide attack WorldNetDaily.com

Khatami rejects halt to uranium enrichment but optimistic on talks AFP

North Korea, Iran Respond To UN Nuclear Chiefs Challenge Wallstreet Journal

Iraq, Iran, Middle East Dominate EU Foreign Mins Talks Wallstreet Journal


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

IAEA Chief Presses North Korea, Iran on Nuclear Threat - VOA

On Iran, Mr. Baradei reported some progress. But he said movement was slow, and urged the Tehran government to halt its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities.

"Iran has reversed some of the suspension measures initially undertaken in November, 2003 and the board has called on Iran again to suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities as a confidence-building measure," Mr. ElBaradei says. more

Top News Updates:

Yawar accuses Iran of orchestrating attacks The Peninsula

Iran's Afghan refugees feel pressure to leave Iran Press News


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iran warns of $US100 oil price - The Australian

A top aide to Iran's supreme leader today declared Tehran did not fear
being taken to the UN security council over its nuclear program and
warned any resulting oil embargo would see world prices top $US100 a
barrel. ...

Questioned about a possible UN embargo on Tehran's oil exports, the
former parliamentary speaker said: "The big loser will be them, not us.
"If an oil embargo is slapped on Iran, the price of oil will exceed
$US100 per barrel, with a potential to paralyse the West's economy." more


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Brutal pressure leads to sporadic clashes in Ahwaz - SMCCDI

The brutal pressure, made by the Islamic regime's militiamen and the City Council, lead today in sporadic and violent clashes in the southern City of Ahwaz.

Tens of residents rushed to rescue the ambulant sellers, located in the Imam Khomeini (former Pahlavi) avenue, in order to oppose the regime's militiamen who were seen attacking them and trying to confiscate their assets.

Stones and sticks responded to the militiamen's tear gas and heavy clubs while slogans were shouted against the Islamic regime and its leaders.

Several protesters and militiamen were seen injured. more


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Buying Time in Tehran - Foreign Affairs

The Iranian regime is running out of time and options and has therefore been looking for an alternative political/economic model to American/Western democracy. Foreign Affairs journal discusses the problems Iran will face pursuing this model.

[Iranian hardliners] now want to embark on a program dubbed the "China model" by Iran's media. The idea--which is neither new nor profound nor uniquely Chinese--is to offer economic growth, jobs, and limited social freedom in exchange for continued control of the political sphere. The conservatives are betting that Iran's citizens will be satisfied with consumerism and thus give up their demands for pluralism. Will the Islamic Republic pull it off? more

Top News Updates:

Iran Would Freeze Enrichment for 6 Months at Most Parisa Hafezi, Reuters

Iran: 'Hey World, Pay Attention to Us!' Newsweek


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iran denies sheltering Laden - China View

Iran distances themselves from Osama Bin Laden.

Iran has denied reports that it is sheltering Osama bin Laden, leader of the terrorist Al-Qaida group.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi was quoted as saying that "American papers always manage to come up with such juicy news when an important event such as the presidential election is near."

Asefi stressed that neither Bin Laden nor any other extremist from Al-Qaida is in Iran. However, he acknowledged that a number of low-rank al-Qaida operatives were in Iranian prisons. more

Top News Updates:

China signs giant oil deal with Iran Washington Times

Compromise Said Possible on Iran Nukes Guardian

Analysis: Iranian Military Rhetoric Reflects Outside Pressures RFERL

What the Russian Papers Say: Iran Has a Secular Government! WPS Russian Media Monitoring Agency


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Red States Targeted By Al Qaeda - DoctorZin

The U.S. media made a huge error in its translation of Osama Bin Laden'smost recent speech.

Bin Laden was not offering to spare the United States from more terrorism, if President Bush is not reelected. Rather, he was warning that those states that vote for John Kerry in Tuesday's election will be spared terrorist attacks.

According to the Middle East Media Research Institute,

"the words "ay wilaya" (which means "each U.S. state")to mean a "country" or "nation" other than the U.S., while in fact the threat was directed specifically at each individual U.S. state.

This suggests some knowledge by bin Laden of the U.S. electoral college system. ...

"This message was a warning to every U.S. state separately... it means that any U.S. state that will choose to vote for the white thug Bush as president has chosen to fight us, and we will consider it our enemy, and any state that will vote against Bush has chosen to make peace with us, and we will not characterize it as an enemy.

By this characterization, Sheikh Osama wants to drive a wedge in the American body, to weaken it, and he wants to divide the American people... more

Our friend Dan Darling has produced a analysis and interpreation that is a must read.

The ever popular Little green footballs and Powerline are discussing this newstory also.


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iran denies European allegations regarding human rights

The Mullahs of Iran are in denial..

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi... said on Sunday there is no need for it to pre-judge issues or tell Iran what to do. "If the European Parliament desires to talk about current issues, it would do better by paying due attention to the situation of religious minorities and Muslims in Europe," more

I guess they learned the best defense is a good offense.


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Powell and Rice Explain America's Middle East Policies to the Arab Media - Memri

Here are a few excerpts:

Colin Powell:

"Every day as we go about this conflict, as we go about resolving this conflict, we work to strengthen our international partnerships. ...

"We do this for their sake, we do it for our own, because if we make this work - and we will make it work - we will have an entirely new image in that part of the world: democracy, freedom, people selecting their own leaders ...

"It is America's destiny, it is the fate that has been given to us, to be that nation that people look to solve the problems and challenges of the world. We like to do it with partners. ...

Condoleezza Rice:

"Since 9/11, America has built a coalition of some 90 countries that are sharing intelligence and working closely to combat the threat from transnational terrorism. Together, we have captured or killed thousands of terrorists. ...

Already our commitment to freedom is helping to spur a great debate throughout the broader Middle East. From Morocco to Jordan to Qatar, we are seeing elections and new protections for women, and the beginnings of political pluralism. ...

And in Afghanistan last week we witnessed extraordinary testimony to the power of the vote. A U.S. soldier in Afghanistan reported with awe what he witnessed... he talked about former Taliban elements who came into one Afghan town to try to intimidate the local citizens into not voting, but were met by the village population and refused entry into the village. ...

"Next year, an elected transitional assembly will draft a new constitution with a bill of rights that provides the framework for a permanent government. ... Iraqis will have achieved for themselves what people all over the world have sought for centuries ... more


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

OSAMA THE IMPOTENT - Amir Taheri, NY Post

As always, Amir Taheri brings his insight into the Middle Eastern mind...

The timing was no coincidence. The fugitive meant to influence the outcome of the American presidential election. He couched his message in such a way that, whoever wins next Tuesday, he would be able to claim part of the credit. ...

A MORE careful reading of bin La den's text, however, reveals his no torious thirst for publicity and self-aggrandizement. more

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iraqi Forces Capture 94 Infiltrators Crossing From Iran - Saudi Press Agency

Iraq's border forces arrested 94 infiltrators who illegally crossed into the country from Iran, a commander said Sunday. Staff Brig. Gen. Ali al-Moussawi, commander of the southern borders, said the infiltrators, all Afghans and Iranians, were arrested on Saturday, crossing into southern Basra and Amarah.

Al-Moussawi said most of them had no travel documents and the rest didn't have proper ones.

An Iraqi court has ruled that they will be deported to Iran, he said.

Top News Updates:

An Iranian with influence Arizona Daily Star

Iran demands commitments from EU on nuclear energy Channel NewsAsia


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iranian Americans Join to Promote Political Activism - Washington Post

The Washington Post concludes that how the Iranian/American community will vote is an unknown factor:

Some Iranian Americans said they are planning to vote for the Democratic nominee, Sen. John F. Kerry (Mass.), because of concern about civil liberties. But the community is by no means aligned with one political party.

Many say they prefer President Bush because of his firm stand toward the Iranian government. The Iranian American PAC, which focuses on domestic issues, has given funds to Democrats and Republicans.

Mehdi Bozorgmehr, a professor at the City University of New York who has studied Iranian Americans, said little information is available on their voting patterns.

"What is important is for the first time, you really are seeing a movement in the community to get the vote out," he said. more

But recent California poll of immigrants appears to give the advantage to the Republican party.

Now it’s the Democrats who are sweating, not the once-divided Republicans. Lately, noted Republican pollster Stephen Kinney, large numbers of Latinos — especially Latinas — have begun registering as “decline-to-state” voters and rejecting the Democratic Party.

Kinney and many others believe the Democrats have taken immigrants for granted for too long. Nobody knows if the move by Latinos toward “decline to state” is a harbinger of a sea change in immigrant voter sympathies in other immigrant groups, but Kinney noted, “It’s definitely not good news for the Democrats.”

With immigrant interest in the Democrats waning somewhat, some GOP groups and activists are using the opening to interest immigrants in voting for and contributing money to Bush. Although Latinos get much of the attention, because they represent a potentially vast voting bloc, the Iraq War has enlivened Middle Eastern immigrant groups as well, and some are clearly siding with the GOP. more

We will know soon enough.

TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

Iran MPs, crying 'Death to America,' pass nuclear bill - Haaretz.com

The Iranian parliment took a hard line today in support of their efforts to develop their nuclear programs.

To cries of "Death to America" and "God is Greatest" Iran's hardline-dominated parliament passed a bill on Sunday obliging the government to continue efforts to develop a civilian nuclear energy program. more

So much for a reformist movement in Iran.

Top News Updates:

Israel Would Consider Strike Against Iran StarTribune.com

Gender equality is tyranny against men: Iranian MP The Peninsula


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!

US election campaign puts key foreign policy briefs on hold - Yahoo News

If President George W. Bush is re-elected, there will be a certain continuity, although experts say the choices and changes sidelined for the moment will quickly demand
attention.

During that two-and-a-half-month transition period, government business would be conducted by a "lame duck" Bush administration still legally in charge but realistically drained of much of the weight and authority of office. more

Top News Updates:

US Election Campaign Puts Key Foreign Policy Briefs on Hold AFP-World News

Iran, Russia to sign deal on spent nuclear fuel early December Tehran Times

ZHILA IZADI CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES FOR HELP Iran Press Service

Iran terms Afghan election as significant development Xinhuanet.com

Stop Terror Sheikhs, Muslim Academics Demand ArabNews


TO SEE ALL THE MAJOR NEWS ON IRAN, CLICK HERE!