Friday's Daily Briefing on Iran - Election in Iran

DoctorZin reports, 6.17.2005:

First Reports on the Election - Why the media is getting it wrong

The western media is reporting a close election in Iran and some are claiming that it is so close that the government has extended the hours of the polling places in order to accommodate the voting public.
What is wrong with these reports? A lot! (Plus Photos) READ MORE

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

• Willisms.com reports Will was nearly arrested checking out an Iranian polling place in Houston, Texas.
• Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Iranian Foreign minister Kharrazi: Bush's comments on Iran election due to his ignorance.
• Yahoo News reports the Institute for Public Accuracy, has been in Iran during the final days of the presidential election, interviewing a wide range of people.
• Adnkronos International reported that Iranian police have manhandled the wife and brother of jailed journalist and dissident, Akbar Ganji, during the ninth straight day of protest in front of the notorious Evin prison.
• SMCCDI reported protest letters were faxed today, by the Movement, to several Hotel corporations in the U.S. following the use of several of their facilities as propaganda platforms by operatives of the Islamic regime.
• The Jerusalem Post reported Iranians began casting votes Friday in what could be the country's tightest presidential election since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
• The Daily Star reported the dark undemocratic cloud hanging over Iran has a silver lining.
• The NY Times reported an unusual campaign season for Iran wound down Thursday and was also marred by extraordinary violence.
• The Guardian reports why Iran's clerics fear this election.
• Christopher Hitchens takes a looks at Mind over Mullahs.
• Trita Parsi in a Part One Debate: Opinon - Sean Penn and the Neocons.
• Eli Lake in a Part Two Debate: Opinion - Anti-neocon rhetoric versus reality.
• Iran Focus reported that Mohsen Rezai Iran'’s ex-Revolutionary Guards chief abandons race.
• Iran Focus reported that Rafsanjani'’s publicity stunt turns into a flop.
• The Financial Express said the US cautioned India that it would be making a mistake if it went ahead with the gas pipeline project with Iran.
• Los Angeles Times reported that Iran is pulling out the stops to woo voters.
• Reuters reported the United States accused Tehran of deceiving the U.N. nuclear watchdog about its atomic ambitions.
• Khaleej Times reported Iran has announced it will make arrangements for polling in 33 US cities.
• VOA News says no matter who is elected, major changes are not expected because hard-line religious leaders will continue to rule the country with an iron hand.
• Stephen Schwartz worked as a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle for exactly ten years and looks at the Chronicles decision to send Sean Penn to Iran.
• Xinhuanet reported a bomb exploded in Iran's southeastern city of Zahedan, Iran.
• The Scotsman reported that Rafsanjani admitted that Iran may in the past have deceived the IAEA and the West.
• Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi reported on Sean Penn in Iran. Valuable insight into the thinking of the far left on Iran.
• The NY Sun reported that the leading "reformist" hinted that he may withdraw from the race. He didn't.
• CNN and the son of the former Shah, Reza Pahlavi, discuss the Iranian election. Video.
• Iranian Blogger Windseed provides an election update.
• Iranian Blogger Mr. Behi on the election eve.
  
• Iranian Blogger Wishmeluck on the night before the election.
• Iranian Blogger Arash Jalali says To vote or not to vote, that seems to be the question.
• Iranian Blogger Hoder discussed Iran's Unreliable polls.
• SMCCDI violent clashes rocked, yesterday evening, several areas of the Iranian Capital.

And finally, a few photos.

• Sean Penn, Iran next president?
• Torn election posters in Iran.