U.S. strike on Iran really 'inconceivable'? - WND

This is an important must read article. It contains details most of the media has failed to report. Here are a few excerpts:

Not declaring all "nuclear materials" is merely a violation of the Safeguards Agreement. Diverting "nuclear materials" to the production of nukes is a violation of the Treaty. ...

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei will report that Iran has been fully cooperating and has made complete disclosures. ...

The IAEA uncovered some past failures – of the sort it recently uncovered in South Korea – to promptly and fully declare all "nuclear materials." But there are no outstanding issues to be resolved. The IAEA has found no indication that Iran has diverted or attempted to divert "nuclear materials" to the production of nukes. Therefore, there is no NPT violation for the IAEA Board to refer to the Security Council. ...

A senior U.S. diplomat – who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity – said that even if the IAEA Board balks, the United States will still seek a referral to the Security Council – based on Iran's "past record of deception on its nuclear activities" – and that the matter could be referred to the council "in different ways." ...

But, absent an NPT violation, it appears that Bolton will have to convince the Security Council that Iran's safeguarded nuclear programs constitute a "threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression." If he can do that, then it will be up to the Security Council to "make recommendations, or decide what measures shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to maintain or restore international peace and security."

Under Article 41, the Security Council may "call upon the members to impose complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations."

Under Article 42 the Security Council may conclude that measures provided for in Article 41 would be inadequate. It may then call upon members to take "such action by air, sea or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security."

If Iran refuses to accede to U.S. demands that they "suspend" the nuclear energy programs – which the NPT gives them an "inalienable right" to have – Bolton has reportedly written his counterparts in Paris, London and Berlin that he "expects" them to back his request for "action by the Security Council." ...

Well, apparently the neo-crazies are seriously considering launching – or condoning – a pre-emptive strike against Iran's safeguarded facilities, in flagrant violation of the U.N. Charter.

Perhaps that is what prompted British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to declare this week that such an attack was "inconceivable." "I don't see any circumstances in which military action would be justified against Iran, full stop." more

US military action must be a last resort. Military action will likely turn the Iranian people against the US. Although the Iranian people are pro-US they are even more pro-Iranian. Lets hope our leaders are correctly reading the extent of the threat. We are living in dangerous times.

Have we waited too long to support the people of Iran in overthrowing their unpopular government? I hope not. As Michael Ledden has been saying repeatedly to the US administration, "Faster please."


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

Enough Brinksmanship - Weekly Standard

This is a must read article for those interested in Iran's nuclear program. It is good to see the Weekly Standard publishing it, at this time. Excerpt:

The key problem is that our current policy concedes too much. ...more

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

Iran says nuke talks in final stages - Yahoo News

Are negotiations with the Iranian mullahs ever final? They are masters of renegotiation.

EU diplomats say Iran has been trying to change some of the terms of the deal, including the scope of the enrichment suspension. ...

Diplomats said IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei had told the Iranians that if the results of their negotiations with the EU were positive, he would be able to present a relatively upbeat report to the agency's 35-member board on November 25. ...

Kharrazi said it was time for Iran's case to be closed.

"We have done all we could to cooperate with the agency. Most of the questions are addressed now. There is nothing more Iran can do... We think it is time to close Iran's case with the agency," he said. more

Most of the questions have addressed? What are they still hiding?

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

Bush lends support to Europe on Iran nuclear talks - Reuters

Bush reaffirmed his support for the European effort.

"We don't want Iran to have a nuclear weapon and we're working toward that end," Bush said. "And the truth of the matter is the prime minister gets a lot of credit for working with France and Germany to convince the Iranians to get rid of the processes that would enable them to develop a nuclear weapon." more

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

Iran vows to resist pressure on nuclear programme - AFP

Iranians support the mullahs on their nuclear programs?

Speaking in a Friday prayer sermon, the top advisor to Iran's supreme leader called for "resistance" and complained that Tehran was subject to "idiotic and childish" demands.

The Europeans "have told us to stop our nuclear programme and in return they will sell us commercial jets and trains", Ali Akbar Nateq Nuri said. "This is an idiotic and childish thing.

"Fortunately, the opinion polls show that 75 to 80 percent of Iranians want to resist, and that we continue our programme and reject humiliation." more

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

Iranian official [Rafsanjani] proposes one-state solution - Jerusalem Post

Iran's new policy:

"Let's organize free elections in Palestine under the auspices of Islamic countries and the United Nations," Rafsanjani told tens of thousands of worshippers at his Friday prayers sermon in Tehran. "Let the Jews brought (to Palestine) be there, and also Palestinian refugees ... all Palestinians."

"Let them all participate in elections, and choose their government democratically, which would be acceptable to the whole world.

"Let Jews, Christians and Muslims live together. The United Nations, world powers and Muslims would guarantee the security of this government," he said. more

If Rafsanjani really believes in allowing everyone to participate in free elections, he should propose the same thing in Iran where people can only vote for those the mullahs of Iran allow to run.


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

Iran Lied! - Captains Quarters Blog

I am shocked! Not really.

The AP reports that a deal supposedly hammered out by the EU is collapsing due to Iran's renuncuiation of the agreement:

A deal committing Iran to suspend activities that Washington says are part of a nuclear arms program was close to collapse Friday, with diplomats suggesting that Tehran had reneged on an agreement reached with European negotiators just days ago. ...

The deal leaves open the exact length of the suspension but says it will be in effect at least as long as it takes for the two sides to negotiate a deal on European technical and financial aid, including help in the development of Iranian nuclear energy for power generation.

But on Friday the diplomats told The Associated Press that Iranian officials had presented British, French and German envoys in Tehran with a version of the agreement that was unacceptable to the three European powers. more

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

Millions of Iranians boycott the anti-Semite "Ghods" rallies - SMCCDI

Further evidence that the Iranian people do not support the mad mullahs of Iran.

Millions of Iranians boycotted today the sham show of force and anti-Semite "Ghods" rally, organized by the Islamic republic regime forcing it to bring more "professional" demonstrators and forced young school students and governmental employees, especially from the security forces and army, to compensate the lack of popular support. ...

The recorded program is available in the archive section of Radio Israel's website (Part III of Wednesday from minute 12':40"): Click Here ... more

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

UN Iran report held up as nuke freeze talks stall - Reuters

Still no agreement and no report.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog has held up a new report on inspections in Iran while Tehran and the EU's "big three" try to break a deadlock in talks aimed at freezing Iran's uranium enrichment programme, diplomats said on Friday.

France, Britain and Germany had urged Iran to announce the suspension by Thursday for it to be included in the new report. However, no announcement was made and it was unclear if Iran was ready to halt its enrichment programme, which could be used to make fissile uranium for atomic weapons. more

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

The nuclear squeeze - The Economist

The subtitle of the article is appropriate: But who is squeezing whom?

One of Iran's negotiating team threatened it would pull out of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if western countries piled on the pressure.

Nor is Iran sounding conciliatory in other ways. Its defence minister said pointedly this week that it could now mass-produce missiles (by churning them out just like cars, he joked) that it has in the past claimed are capable of striking both Israel and American bases in the Gulf. Another spokesman was reported to say that Iran had the technical know-how to build a bomb, while still denying that it had any intention of doing so. Iran appears also to have helped Hizbullah, to which it has long sent cash and arms, launch an unmanned aerial vehicle from Lebanon on a photographic mission over northern Israel. Such drones can also carry bombs. more

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

Appeasing Iran - Opinion Journal

A sobering look at the situation.

So can anyone explain the difference between the nuclear deal the Europeans are now waiting for--indeed, practically begging--Iran to accept and the 1994 Agreed Framework with North Korea? ...

Among other pieces of information Iran has since failed to volunteer is the fact that they possess advanced P-2 centrifuges of the type peddled by Pakistani A-bomb merchant A.Q. Khan. They've been found to be working with polonium-210, an element whose primary use is as a bomb trigger. And IAEA inspectors have found traces of uranium enriched far beyond the grade needed for use in a civilian power reactor. Consider also Iran's rapid advance in the field of medium- to long-range ballistic missile technology, which surely isn't meant for carrying conventional warheads.

The only question is whether the world is going to do anything about all this. more

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

Iran pays rare tribute to Arafat

Iran changes its position on Arafat???

IRAN today offered rare praise for Yasser Arafat, calling him a
defender of the Palestinian people, and said his efforts for
Palestinian rights should be clear to all.

The comments, issued by the Iranian Cabinet, were a far cry from
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's criticism of Mr Arafat
in 1998, when he described him as "shameless" and a "traitor". more

Top News Update:

IRAN CALLS ON THE PALESTINIANS TO KEEP THE STRUGGLE ALIVE Iran Press Service


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

Iran nuke freeze answer falls short says diplomat - Reuters

Mullahs playing hard to get?

Iran has failed to give a definitive answer to an EU demand it freeze sensitive nuclear activities or face referral to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions, a diplomat familiar with the talks says. ...

Tehran's response to a tentative agreement... while "not too disappointing" had not produced the clear and final answer the EU had wanted.

The diplomat declined to comment further on the contents of the Iranian answer, which he said was now being studied in the capitals of Britain, Germany and France after being handed to their ambassadors at a meeting in Tehran. ...

"Iran wants something up front if it's going to suspend enrichment, not just promises. But the Europeans have refused," a diplomat said. more

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

Iran Will Likely Freeze Nuke Enrichment - Official - NY Times

Will Iran make more promises?

Hossein Mousavian, secretary of the foreign policy committee of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

``In the next few hours I will inform the three EU ambassadors in Tehran of Iran's response,'' he told Reuters, referring to the ambassadors of Britain, Germany and France which have conducted the EU talks in Paris with Iran. ...

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer told Germany's parliament the talks with Iran were ``anything but easy.''

``Only the full and lasting suspension of enrichment activities ... by Iran can open the way for results-oriented talks on long-term cooperation,'' Fischer said. more

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

Iran heading towards conflict - Janes

Janes Intellegence Digest has just released a report that supports the US's contention that Iran is developing nuclear weapons.

The risk of a confrontation between Iran and the international community is set to escalate as it becomes likely that the Islamic Republic will soon possess its own nuclear weapon. JID's nuclear expert reviews the evidence and warns of a hardening attitude in Washington. more

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

China's Dangerous Game - Wall Street Journal

Is China ready to play superpower?

China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing warned during a visit to Tehran last week that China might block referring Iran to the council. Negotiations with Iran, Mr. Li said, were best handled within the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency, which is led by a man, Mohammed El Baradei, who has all but accepted that Iran has a right to enrich uranium. ...

It has escaped no one that energy-poor China buys about 17% of its oil from Iran. Just to make that lure all the shinier, Iran signed a major oil and gas investment deal with China a week before Mr. Li visited. more

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

Lecturer: Iran needs nukes - WND

Abumohammad Asgarkhani a professor of international relations in Tehran:

"There are a few shameful treaties in Iran's history, and [the endorsing of] the Additional Protocol [to the NPT] is one of them," he is quoted as saying, "more shameful than the [1828] Torkmanchai Treaty [with Russia] and the [1975] Algiers Agreement [with Iraq], and only the people of Iran will face its consequences, the first of which will be the change of regime in Iran and the second one, the tearing of Iran into pieces." more

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

Iran ready with engines for its missiles - Washington Times

Iran can now produce its own engines for its Shihab-3 missles.

"Iran has obtained the expertise and equipment to produce variants of North Korean engines for the Shihab-3," a senior Western intelligence analyst said. "Teheran has sought this capability for a long time and we believe they have achieved it." more

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

Arafat is dead! - DoctorZin

Now watch the Mullahs of Iran attempt to grab power amongst the Palestinians. Arafat had limited Iranian influence. That may change now that he is gone.

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

Iran in Deadlock With Europe on Halting Production of Uranium - NY Times

Excerpt:

One outstanding issue is highly technical but considered important by the Europeans. They have demanded that Iran stop its program to convert raw uranium into uranium tetrafluoride. Uranium tetrafluoride is a precursor to the form of uranium that is fed into centrifuges to enrich it for use as fuel that can be used either for peaceful purposes or to develop nuclear weapons, European officials said.

That demand goes beyond what the United Nations' watchdog agency requires, and the Iranians are arguing that they are being asked to do too much. more

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

Iran ready with engines for its missiles - Washington Times

Iran can now produce its own engines for its Shihab-3 missles.

"Iran has obtained the expertise and equipment to produce variants of North Korean engines for the Shihab-3," a senior Western intelligence analyst said. "Teheran has sought this capability for a long time and we believe they have achieved it." more

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

Iran's Nuclear News Briefing - DoctorZin

Nuclear fissures in Iran Asia Times

"An intense debate is raging among Iranian ruling clerics over the issue of nuclear programs. On the one hand you have the so-called ultras... On the other, there are the so-called pragmatists...

Ironically, it appears that the ultras are after a "catastrophe scenario", hoping that in the event of harsh sanctions or even an attack on its nuclear facilities by the US or Israel, the population, now massively against the regime, would fall in line behind the ruling mullahs and their nuclear ambitions. more

Iran nuclear plan more like N. Korea than Libya: US Khaleej

US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control Stephen Rademaker said Iran was more like North Korea, which expelled UN nuclear inspectors almost two years ago and Washington believes has up to nine warheads, than Libya, which voluntarily abandoned its nuclear arms programme in December 2003.

“Iran is a lot more like North Korea than like Libya,” Rademaker said in answer to reporters’ questions during a briefing at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. “We do not expect Iran to comply over the long-term with any commitment not to develop nuclear weapons.” ...

However, a member of Tehran’s negotiating team, Sirus Naseri, said Iran would never agree to the Europeans’ ultimate goal -- that it scrap uranium enrichment for good. ... Naseri said the EU trio had made a preliminary commitment to oppose referring Iran to the Security Council at the November board meeting and to push for an end to the IAEA special investigation of Iran’s nuclear programme. more

EU Believes Iran Is 5 to 6 Years From Atom Bomb Wallstreet Journal

Gary Milhollin, head of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control in Washington, says the Europeans' time frame is too long and the U.S. "one year to a bomb" estimate is too short. He thinks Iran could have enough material and the design for one bomb in 1½ to two years.

The current deal sets no expiration date on Iran's suspension of enrichment activities, the European official said. It would launch new negotiations to secure a permanent solution. "There's quite a debate going on in Tehran about this," the official said. But he added: "This negotiation is over. They need to make a decision, and they need to make it this week." more

War Not an Option Against Iran - Germany's Fischer Reuters

"I don't see that we're immediately heading for an Iraq-like confrontation," Fischer said. "I believe that it's clear to all parties involved that war is not an option." more

Iran Official Warns of NPT Pull-Out if West Presses Reuters

"If they start to pressure or threaten us, then we will put aside the treaty and go underground," the semi-official Mehr news agency quoted him as saying.

"In that case, after one or two years, America and the EU will send mediators to talk to us and find a solution," he said. more

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

Bush's Next Few Years - DoctorZin

A few thoughts on the next 4 years of the Bush administration.

WARGAMING IRAN Willian F Buckley, Yahoo News

"About Iran's intentions there is no disagreement. Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, and unless its policy is changed by the incentives it is offered or the warnings it receives, it will succeed."

Moreover, if we undertook preliminary military moves, what makes us certain that the Iranians would sit still for it? "'We never "red-celled" the enemy in this exercise' (that is, let him have the first move) (one participant warned). 'What if they try to pre-empt us? What if we threaten them, and the next day we find mines in Baltimore Harbor and the Golden Gate, with a warning that there will be more?'"
more

Celebrating W., the Sequel — all around the world. Barbara Lerner, National Review

In the Middle East, large percentages of the people in three key countries are celebrating too. In Iraq, it's mainly the leaders and the middle classes who share our joy at the president's decisive election victory. In Iran, it's the opposite: Ordinary people of all classes had their hopes rekindled; only the fanatic Mullahs who misrule them are gnashing their teeth, along with the EuroArab axis. more

The Region: Six Mideast challenges for a second-term Bush Barry Rubin, Jerusalem Post

Iran's nuclear weapons: It seems likely that Teheran will get the bomb during Bush's term. US policy takes a tough stand against this proliferation, but what exactly can Bush do about it? He isn't going to attack Iran, and the Europeans are not going to go along with any meaningful sanctions. more

Can Bush Afford to Stay the Course? Stan Crock, Business Week

The Bush Administration believes that, at some point, it will end up bringing Iran before the U.N. Security Council, an institution the Bush team derided in its first term, and seek sanctions. But Iran has cards to play, too: Its strong economic ties to Europe and Asia could make U.N. support for sanctions problematical. more

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

Europe and Iran - Washington Times

Is the EU's proposal to Iran repeating the Clinton Administrations mistake it made with North Korea? Excerpt:

Iran has been demanding an exemption for part of the uranium conversion process which could move it closer to production of bomb-grade uranium. Such an arrangement would make it "too easy for Iran to conduct the next conversion step in secret," said physicist David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security.

...recent history suggests that it would likely violate such a deal anyway. Over the past year, the IAEA has issued at least three reports documenting Iranian cheating. One such report, issued last November, showed that Iran has been deceiving the international community about its efforts to develop nuclear weapons for almost 20 years. In June, two months after Iran agreed to suspend its nuclear program, the IAEA issued a report suggesting that Iran continued to produce items that can be used to build nuclear weapons. In April, that report noted, Iran promised to suspend production of centrifuge parts. Two months later, while the centrifuge production had been halted at three state-run facilities, it continued at three private companies, the IAEA reported. more

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

Iranian-Made Drones Flew Over Isreal - IPS

Iran is pouring its finances and technology into the conflict with Isreal.

“The drone was Iranian made. It was developed and built in Iranian plants in the 1990s. The aircraft is considered technologically very simple, with a pre-programmed route that is installed before launch. During the flight, a camera sends images back to a ground station, which was supposedly manned by Iranians, and the plane is apparently supposed to land by parachute”, the Israeli military journalist revealed. more

More News Updates on the Drones:

Iran has supplied Hezbollah with eight drones Maariv

Report: Iran admits to supplying Hezbollah with drones Haazretz


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

Advancing Democracy - Iran Institute for Democracy

US efforts to encourage the spread of democracy are largely ignored by the media. For example:

Yemen recently hosted a major international conference on democracy in the Middle East that brought together delegates from more than 50 countries as well as international and regional organizations. The final declaration stressed that "human rights [and] application of the rule of law" are "compatible with all faiths and cultures" and essential to "any meaningful conception of democracy."

If you are interested in understanding these efforts and their implications for the Middle East and Iran read this report.

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

Powell to Meet Iranian Officials - Voice of America

Is this the beginning of direct talks with Iran?

Secretary of State Colin Powell says he expects to meet Iranian officials later this month at the Egyptian-hosted international conference aimed at building support for elections in Iraq. more

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

[Tony Blair] Friend and Foe - Center for Security Policy

Excerpt:

The Prime Minister will also be seeking Mr. Bush's support for the latest in a series of unsavory diplomatic efforts undertaken by Britain, France and Germany and aimed at preventing Islamist Iran from realizing its ill-concealed nuclear weapons ambitions. The Associated Press reported on Monday that "a major breakthrough" was achieved in negotiations last weekend resulting in "a preliminary agreement at the expert level."

Unfortunately, it is absolutely predictable that this "breakthrough" ... more

Top News Updates:
Sanctions on Iran - Press Briefing by Scott McClellan White House

Russia Plays Major Role in Iran's Foreign Policy Russian Information Agency

'Blast' in Isfahan ammunition plant AFP

Iran cracks down on Internet: rights watchdog Yahoo News

Iran bars showing of 'insulting' photos in Paris AFP

VIDEO: TORTURE AND BEHEADINGS DURING SADDAM's REGIME Benador & Associates



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

Special Report - DEFENSE and FOREIGN AFFAIRS DAILY

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

Iran's Nuclear News Briefing - DoctorZin

Excerpts of today's major news developments on Iran's nuclear program:

US says any Iran accord must end nuclear weapons EU Business:

"The international community is resolved not to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. And we are committed to pursuing this through peaceful diplomatic means and this is what we are continuing to do," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.

Diplomats: Iran expected to suspend nuclear plan Jerusalem Post

But hard-liners in Teheran called on the government to ignore demands it suspend nuclear activities...
"Despite the fact that the Europeans cannot be trusted has been proven to all, unfortunately these people (Iranian negotiators) have again reached agreement with these three traitor European countries," the daily said.

Iran Claims Draft Accord With Europe on Uranium NY Times

Mr. Kharrazi's comments in Tehran to state-run television underscored the fact that the Europeans had given in on the issue of whether Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment would be permanent, European officials said. But the Europeans also resisted Iran's demand that the suspension last only six months, the officials added.

Instead, the suspension will continue only as long as Iran and the Europeans are involved in negotiations for a comprehensive package of rewards for Iran in exchange for a suspension of its production of enriched uranium, which can be used in civilian and military nuclear programs.

USING NUCLEAR WEAPONS BRINGS HAVOC FOR IRAN Iran Press Service

A high-ranking officer of the Iranian revolutionary Guards admitted Monday for the first time that using atomic weapons by Iran would have “adverse results” for the country. ...

“Using non conventional weapons is in contradiction with the fundaments of our religion and in military dimension, such arms would produce adverse effects for the nation”, the acting commander in chief of the ruling ayatollah’s Praetorian Guard General Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr ...

Bush ‘will still pursue aggressive' foreign policy Financial Times

Mr Powell said there was no agreement yet between Iran and the European Union three of Britain, France and Germany on its nuclear programme. The US had not endorsed a European proposal and Iran should not be given another chance to “slip away” from referral to the United Nations Security Council, he said, while confirming that “regime change” was not the US policy towards Iran. Iran and the US will be sitting at the same table in Egypt later this month at a conference on Iraq. ...

US Doubts Iran's Good Faith in Nuclear Talks WSJ

The U.S. doubts Iran's good faith in talks with three European powers trying to persuade the country to suspend activities that can help make nuclear arms, Stephen G. Rademaker, an assistant U.S. secretary of state for arms control said Tuesday.

"We are very skeptical of Iran's long-term intentions, and we do not expect Iran to comply over the long term with any commitment not to develop nuclear weapons," Rademaker told reporters in Vienna. ...

"We've told our European allies that we will not stand in the way of their effort to come to some diplomatic understanding with Iran," Rademaker said. However, the U.S. view is that "Iran is seriously embarked on an effort to develop nuclear weapons," he said.

Iran Demands More EU Flexibility on Nuke Deal Deutsche Welle

"Ultimately, we shall see not only if Iran and the Europeans are able to reach agreement on how Iran can comply with the (IAEA) board's requirements, but whether the IAEA was able to verify that," Boucher said.

Top News Update

DISPATCH FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: WILL IRAN BE NEXT? Consrvative Voice

Constitutionalist Party of Iran's letter to President Bush CPI

British PM backs Fallujah assault; warns Iran, Syria AFP

Iran students protest over assault on academic IranMania

3 killed in clashes in central Iran's Rafsanjan IranMania

The War Cabinet Michael Ledeen, National Review

What the Mullahs Learned From the Neighbors NY Times

Blair brings Mideast hopes to Bush summit Financial Times


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

Iran Says Can Mass Produce Medium-Range Missiles - Reuters

Excerpts:

Iran said on Tuesday it was now able to make large numbers of its medium-range Shahab-3 ballistic missile, which defense experts say is capable of hitting Israel or U.S. bases in the Gulf. ...

[Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani] joked that Iran could now produce the missiles like its auto industry churns out the country's best-selling car, the Paykan. His comments, reported on several local news agencies, were confirmed by the Defense Ministry. ...

He also denied accusations that Iran is developing a long-range missile with a range of up to 2,500 miles. ...

Iran insists the Shahab-3 is purely a deterrent and Shamkhani played down the likelihood that Iran's nuclear plants would ever come under attack.

"I say with confidence that there is no possibility for such an attack. If such an attack happens its negative consequences for the attacker would be greater that the advantages." more

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

Iran: Web Writers Purge Underway - Reuters

Our blogger friends in Iran are in real danger. Here is a update:

The Iranian government is moving to silence Internet and Web-log communications, the last remaining outlet for freedom of expression in the country, Human Rights Watch said today. more

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

US says any Iran accord must end nuclear weapons

Does the US already have evidence of Iran's noncompliance?

The United States accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons under cover of its civilian atomic energy program and wants the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to refer Tehran to the Security Council when the agency meets in Vienna on November 25.

McClellan highlighted that the IAEA board has five times called on Iran to fully cooperate with the international community and to suspend all enrichment and reprocessing activities.

"The board set the November deadline and this is a time when Iran should take this opportunity and comply," added the spokesman. more

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

Iranian economists sound alarm - Daily Star

The Iranian economy is in trouble.

A group of 11 prominent Iranian economists issued a dire warning to the Islamic Republic's leadership Monday, complaining that political squabbling had left fundamental weaknesses in the economy ignored. ...

In an open letter carried in several national newspapers, the group of top university academics lashed out at what they said was a "society infected by politics" and policies dictated by "emotions and idealism regardless of their economic consequences." The professors also cautioned over continued "isolation in the international arena and blanket state administration in the manufacturing, industrial and service sectors."

Iran is also over-dependent on oil revenues and suffers from budget shortfalls, financial and administrative corruption, stubbornly high unemployment, lofty state subsidies, technological underdevelopment, smuggling and uncompetitive manufactured products, they said. more

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

Militiaman and villagers killed in armed clash - SMCCDI

Further evidence of popular unrest in Iran.

A militiaman has been killed and several other wounded following an armed clash with the residents of the Esmaeel-Abad village of Rafsanjan located in central Iran. Other reports are stating about several villagers killed or injured during the bloody turmoil by the regime forces. more

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

More on the Van Gogh Murder - Winds of Change

Our friend, Dan Darling has written an excellent piece on the Van Gogh murder and possible connections to Iran. Must Read! Here is his conclusion:

if you want to stretch the casuality even further, you can link it all the way back to Saif al-Adel and the rest of the al-Qaeda ruling council in Iran. Because as long as that chain of command remains intact, what we've seen so far is only the tip of the iceberg.

Faster please, in Europe as well as in Iran. more

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

Iran nuclear deal seen doomed without - Reuters

Excerpts:

"In the long run, I don't think this deal can work without the U.S. buying into it," David Albright, a former U.N. weapons inspector and head of the Institute for Science and International Security think-tank, told Reuters. "It can work for six months or so, but not for the medium or long term." ...

But Washington's hardliners have refused to join forces with the EU, insisting that Tehran forfeited the right to a nuclear programme by keeping its nuclear fuel production research hidden from the IAEA for almost two decades.

Another diplomat said the EU-Iran agreement was "purely political" and that all it really amounted to was a declaration of support for Russian nuclear activity in Iran. more

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

Iran says will retaliate if nuclear plants hit - Reuters

Iran's military threatens attacks:

"If Israel or any other country attacks any site in Iran, we know no limits to threaten their interests," Deputy Revolutionary Guards Commander Mohammad-Baqer Zolqadr said.

"That means anywhere in the world, within their borders or outside it," he told reporters on Monday on the sidelines of an anti-U.S. conference in Tehran. more

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

Iran Jails More Journalists and Blocks Web Sites - NY Times

The regime in Iran is cracking down on the opposition bloggers. Many have gone underground.

Iran has continued its crackdown on journalists, with two arrests in the past week, and has moved against pro-democracy Web sites, blocking hundreds of sites in recent months and making several arrests. more

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

A Preemptive Attack on Iran's Nuclear Facilities: Possible Consequences - CNS

The Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) has released a report, A Preemptive Attack on Iran's Nuclear Facilities: Possible Consequences. To read the report click here.

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

Two Issues Could Hinder Deal to Freeze Iran's Nuclear Program - Washington Post

Details to be announced:

A European deal to freeze Iran's nuclear program, provide the Islamic republic with lucrative trade incentives and avoid sanctions by the U.N. Security Council could be signed by midweek if two critical issues can be quickly resolved... more

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

Is Europe Waking Up? The death of Van Gogh - DoctorZin

The blogosphere is a buzz with news and analysis on the death of Van Gogh, the European film maker who exposed the truth about women and Islam.

Check out the following blogs to catch up on the story; see Captains Quarters, Winds of Change, Little Green Footballs and Jihad Watch.

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

`Chatter' hints of strike on Iran's nuclear sites - Mercury News

Excerpt:

There is a lot of chatter going on today in Washington -- only this time, it is about an American attack on Iran.

In seminars and hallways, there is eager anticipation of an airstrike against Iran's nuclear facilities. Sure, the talk goes, we may not get all those buried nuclear labs. But a few waves of cruise missiles and bombers will set Iran's program back several years, enough time to pursue regime change in Tehran. more

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

US and Iran: An Undeclared War in Iraq - Arab News

The Mullahs of Iran cannnot tolerate a free Iraq and Afghanistan on its borders. The pressure for a free Iran wil become overwhelming.

While the Bush administration routinely accused Iran of helping insurgents in Iraq, the real battle between Washington and Tehran over who will control Baghdad is taking place in the political arena. Both Iran and the United States are spending vast sums of money and exerting growing pressure on Iraqi political parties likely to do well in the projected elections. more

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

Iran Gives Boost to Iraq Uprising - Boston Globe

Still more reports of Iran's support to the terrorists in Iraq:

Iran denies supporting Iraqi insurgents, and has declared its support for a peaceful, democratic Iraq. Tehran has argued that an unstable, violent neighbor would undermine Iran's security. ...

According to information gleaned from questioning of the arrested Ansar members, Othman said, former Ansar fighters are now based in the Iranian border towns of Marivan (home to about 60 Kurdish Islamists), Sanandaj, Dezli (where about 30 Iranian villagers have joined the Islamist cause) and Orumiyeh (the base for up to 300 Islamists, including Gulf Arabs, Afghans and Kurds). They have a training camp in Dolanau, just a few kilometers from the Iraqi border. Three other leading officials have confirmed this....

"The Iranians are worried," he said. "They don't want a pro-American government in Iraq. The Iranians want neighboring countries to be full of anarchy, violence, and chaos." ...

"They would have run out of ammunition . . . without the supplies they got from Iran," he said. more

Top News Updates:

Cautious Mid-East optimism greets Bush win BBC

Secularist dissidents agressed by Islamists in London SMCCDI

A New Beginning in Washington, an Old Menace from Tehran USADI

Islamic Republic's Qods Day March in London Disrupted by Iranian Dissidents Iran va Jahan

Iran wants China its top oil importer China Daily

The next surprise Lee Hamilton, The Enquirer

Confessions Show Terror's Spread in Iraq Washington Times


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

North Korea Exported Nuclear Materials to Iran - Donga.com

While much of the world denies the Mullahs of Iran's intention to create a nuclear bomb:

Japan’s Sankei Shimbun, citing Japan’s military sources, reported on Sunday that North Korea exported fluorine gas, one of the ingredients for building a nuclear weapon, to Iran in May of this year.

According to the Shimbun, North Korea air transported several kilograms of fluorine gas, a requisite material for producing the “fluorinated uranium (UF6),” a material needed for making enriched uranium, to Iran on May 20.

The sources asserted that “Iran entered into a treaty with North Korea due to the fluorine import difficulties arising from international trading restrictions, indicating that North Korea is participating in Iran’s nuclear development program.” more

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

Britain offers Iran nuclear plant aid - Times UK

Excerpts:

The deal — discussed at talks that ended in Paris yesterday — would require Iran to abandon its own efforts to enrich uranium for six months and to stop other controversial work at its nuclear facilities.

In return, provided the regime in Tehran meets the terms of the probationary period, British and other western European technicians will help to construct a light-water research reactor there.

Work would start next summer after Iran has started to dismantle some of its own nuclear installations. It would also be supplied with reactor fuel for the plant. more

Britain assumes that we can trust the Mullahs of Iran. Where is the verification that President Reagan required of the Soviets? Have we learned nothing from the North Korean experience?

But the CNN report ends with an important question:

It was not clear just how the two sides have resolved their difference over the EU demand that Iran suspend uranium enrichment activities -- something Iran has repeatedly said that it would not do for a sustained period. more

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

News on Iran-EU Big 3 Talks Contradictory - IRNA

Another round of talks in the making?

The diplomat predicted that another meeting would be held between representatives of the two sides before the November 25th meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors to be held in Vienna.

Meanwhile, Iran`s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said Sunday that negotiations between Iran and the European trio in Paris were "complicated and difficult but constructive and progressing." more

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

Iran Nuclear Talks End with No Agreement - Reuters

Bottom line:

"Nothing is settled ... The discussions were difficult, very difficult. The Iranians struggled hard."

"Everyone has to touch base now," the source added after the second day of talks. "That's the end of this meeting ... There is no (further) meeting planned." more

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

Bush Vows No Letup in War on Terror - Fox News

Fresh off his re-election victory, President Bush vowed the United States would not retreat from trying to spread democracy through the Middle East and would continue to pursue a no-holds-barred approach to Iraq and the War on Terror.

"I understand, in certain capitals and certain countries, those decisions were not popular," Bush said at his first post-election news conference Thursday. But he made no apologizes about the course he had set and said he would not back down. more

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