Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 6.8.2005:

Iran set to win a spot on the World Cup - Massive Celebrations and Unrest Expected

Gulf Times:

Iran is looking for a comfortable home draw against Bahrain tomorrow and the one point needed to secure qualification for the 2006 World Cup (WC) in Germany. READ MORE

I am told we should expect huge celebrations across Iran, if today, they win a place in the World Cup. Iranian opposition groups are poised to take advantage of the celebrations to voice their anger at the regime and need for real democracy in Iran. Things are heating up.

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

• Iran va Jahan reports that most observers seem to be missing a veritable seismic popular movement for radical change in Iran.
• Khaleej Times reports that Iran gave the EU3 one last chance to strike a deal.
• Khaleej Times reported that a senior Iranian envoy urged Washington to make a courageous first move for reconciliation.
• Axis Globe reported on Russia and the Development of the Iranian Missile Program.
• Iran Focus reported that Iranian students booed Rafsanjani ally at election rally.
• Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Iran's Interior Ministry threatened to disclose 'startling' tactics which 'certain candidates' had adopted.
• Financial Times reported that the Iranian election throws spotlight on small-town politics.
• Committee to Protect Bloggers reported that a threatened Iranian blogger asks for legal help.
• Washington Post reported that the Bush administration, has given up on its attempt to force out Mohamed ElBaradei as director general of the IAEA.
• Tribune News Service reported that the Iran-India gas pipeline gets Musharraf's nod.
• Press Trust of India reported that US not pressuring Pak over Indo-Iran pipeline: Croker.
• FrontPageMag.com asks Is Europe Dying?
• Victor Davis Hanson published an analysis of our strange war - Looking ahead, our options.
• The Washington Post reported the CIA would be given authority to coordinate all human intelligence activities overseas, including those carried out by Pentagon and FBI personnel, in legislation pending in Congress.
• Daily Star reported the Rafsanjani campaign complains of arson and graffiti attacks.
• And finally, more photos of Iran's election campaigning.