Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 5.11.2005:

Wily Shark Resurfaces for Another Bite at Iran Presidency
Richard Beeston, The Times UK:

A founding leader of the Iranian revolution, who promoted militant Islam in the Middle East and led his country through a war, yesterday became the favourite to be elected President.

Hojatoleslam Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, 70, who left the presidency eight years ago, announced last night that he had joined the field for the election on June 17. ...

This article leaves out a few important facts. READ MORE

PS. A great blogosphere project would be to catalog Rafsanjani's statements for the world to see before placing their confidence in him. Is anyone willing to help?

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

• Tehran Times reports that Iran has dismissed as "propaganda" the threat of being hauled before the United Nations Security Council.
• Islamic Republic News Agency reports that Rafsanjani said the best strategy is continuation of Iran-EU3 talks.
• Reuters reports that Iran is expected to notify the United Nations by the end of the week that it is resuming sensitive nuclear work.
• IranMania reports that two of Iran's most senior dissident pro-reform Shiite clerics have hit out at the Islamic regime.
• Interfax reports that Russia and the United States are getting closer in their positions on Iran's nuclear program.
• Adnkronos International reports that Iranian students staged sit-in protests at university campuses in Tehran.
• International Confederation of Free Trade Unions reports that the an automobile factory worker was arrested and has been missing Since 12 April 2005, as well as an attack on premises of a Union.
• United Press International reports that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, "The Iranian people are a sophisticated people, they are worldly people."
• Inter Press Service reports that in Iran, at least 50 people were killed during week-long protests.
• Ha'aretz asks, "When will Iran reach the point of no return?"
• The Telegraph reports it's official: Iran's Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a veteran political cleric known as "The Shark", yesterday announced he would stand for next month's presidential election.
• Iran Focus reports that the murder of a prayer leader of the central prison of Karaj, west of Tehran.
• And finally, Cox and Forkum have another cartoon: Blame Games.