Tuesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 5.24.2005:
Rice Tells Mullahs That Democracy On the Way to Iran - A Policy Shift?

Eli Lake, NY Sun:

Secretary of State Rice yesterday warned Iran's "unelected leaders" that the day will come when their people will demand the same rights and liberties recently sought by Iraqis and Lebanese. ...

But her warning to Iran's mullahs represented the most potentially significant policy shift for the administration. READ MORE

The article also discusses Richard Perle's recent conversations with the famous student dissident Mr. Batebi.

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

• CNN News reports that nuclear talks between Iran and the European Union are proving more difficult than ever, "Tomorrow's session could bring an end to the extensive talks we have had with the Europeans if they don't have a clear proposal."
• Khaleej Times reports that Iran’s reformist President Mohammad Khatami called on the armed forces, police and hardline militias on Tuesday to keep out of the presidential election next month.
• SMCCDI reports that hundreds of students of Tehran University gathered, yesterday night, in order to protest against the Islamic regime. Plus photos.
• SMCCDI reports that four militiamen and a man qualified as an armed assailant were killed, today.
• International Institute of Strategic Studies reports that prospects that the current negotiations between the EU and Iran will produce a lasting resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue are not encouraging.
• Reuters reports that signs of a split between the European Union's three biggest powers have emerged on the eve of nuclear talks with Iran, with Germany opposing British and French preparations to take action against Tehran.
• BBC News reports that Iran's Guardian Council has reinstated two leading reformists to the race for the presidency.
• Reporters Without Borders today voiced strong support for the Iranian journalists who yesterday began a series of daily demonstrations outside the parliament.
• MosNews reports that Iran said it had not considered a proposal that Russia could enrich uranium for it. Moscow rejects claims that the proposal came from Russia.
• ABC News reports that Brazil said it was unlikely to cooperate with Venezuela on nuclear energy if any such program involved Iran.
• The NY Times reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme religious leader ordered a watchdog group dominated by his hard-line allies to review its decision blocking two reformist candidates from running in presidential elections next month.
• Middle East Newsline reports that the United Arab Emirates has seized three Iranian boats amid increased military tensions. Earlier, Iran seized a UAE fishing boat.
• VOA News reports that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday said the world must not tolerate any Iranian attempt to develop a nuclear weapon.
• And finally, Frontline/World will air a special on Iran's nuclear program, May 23, 2005, Iran: Going Nuclear.