Saturday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 5.21.2005:

Iran douses hope of compromise in nuclear talks

Reuters:

Iran said on Saturday it had not considered a proposal that Russia enrich uranium for it -- an idea floated as a way out of a deadlock in talks with the EU over Tehran's nuclear program.

Britain, France and Germany were due to resume talks with Iran next week, aiming to persuade it to abandon uranium enrichment -- a process needed to make nuclear bombs -- in return for economic incentives.

Though Tehran has said repeatedly that it will not give up uranium enrichment, diplomats said one idea being floated was for Russia to temporarily enrich uranium for Iran. READ MORE

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Iran Focus reports that dozens of workers in Mashad gathered outside the provincial headquarters of the Department of Labour, protesting overdue wages.
• IranMania reports that EU3 diplomatic sources said that no final decision has yet been taken on the venue of next week's talks.
• The Washington Times in an Op-Ed says that Hezbollah is believed to have cells in at least 10 U.S. cities.
• Adnkronos International reports that the body search and interrogation of a Dutch lawmaker at Tehran airport has prompted her colleagues to request the recall of their ambassador in Iran.
• The American Thinker provides a brief review of activities and statements concerning Iran’s existing capacities.
• IranMania reports that a leading reformist has warned voter apathy and an undemocratic election would give rise to large-scale crises at the national and international levels.
• Islamic Republic News Agency reports that Iranian Communications and Information Technology Minister met with the head of China's Aerospace Organization to discuss Iran's joint satellite project with China.
• Voice of America News reports that a new book by Anthony Cordesman details Iran's military capabilities and its efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction.
• The Ledger reports that the Iraqi government publicly acknowledged for the first time on Thursday that Iraq was the aggressor in 1980 when it touched off a bloody eight-year war with Iran.
• Radio Free Europe reports that journalist Akbar Ganji announced he has begun "an unlimited hunger strike" to protest against his imprisonment.
• Globe and Mail reports that a doctor who treated Montreal photojournalist Zahra Kazemi has reportedly been arrested by Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
• And finally, The Committee to Protect Bloggers is discussing U.S. Congressman Christopher Cox's bill called the Global Internet Freedom Act.