Tuesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 9.20.2005:

Refer at own peril, says Iran

Indian Express:

Iran warned the West on Tuesday it would start uranium enrichment and review its membership of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if sent to the UN Security Council.

Larijani also said the world’s fourth biggest oil producer would link its stance on foreign countries’ access to its energy resources to whether they stood with Iran on its nuclear plans.

‘‘Some countries have extensive economic relations with Iran, especially in the oil sector, but feel no responsibility to defend the rights of an oppressed nation. The Supreme National Security Council is determined to balance these two issues,’’ he said. READ MORE

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

• Iranian blogger, Morteza Abdolalian, Iran Watch Canada reported that a reporter in Iran exposing about the violation by members of city council and the officials of the municipality in Karaj was forced to resign from his job.
• Robert Gibbons, Reuters reported that Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said: U.S. policy in Iraq is widening sectarian divisions to the point of effectively handing the country to Iran.
• Richard Beeston, The Times UK reported that Britain, France and Germany signaled that they had had enough of Iran’s “failures and breaches” and urged the International Atomic Energy Agency to refer the country to the UN Security Council.
• Iran Press News reported that the Iran's Minister of Information and Security confessed to torturing prisoners.
• Iran Press News reported that Secretary of the High Council of National Security of the regime, Ali Larijani, said: The Security Council is indeed a big stick that's being held over our heads but this is no threat to us and it does not mean that the regime is on it's deathbed.
• Iran Press News reported that Ahmadinejad said about the EU3: They think they own the world; hopefully an enormous shock will bring them to their senses and they'll realize that things aren't what they think.
• Stefania Lapenna, Tech Central Station reported that after the London bombings, most of Europe has begun to wake up to the nature of the enemy.
• USMC_Vet, The Word Unheard argued that while it is being reported today that the EU is set to ask the IAEA to refer Iran to the UN Security Council, it should be noted by the careful observer that this is little more than a stage show worthy of Broadway.
• Agence France-Presse reported that US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned Iran overnight not to overplay its hand in southern Iraq.
• The Times UK reported that Iranian negotiators threatened to restart uranium enrichment and accused the West of trying to humiliate them.
• The Daily 'Cuz reports on the similarities between Ahmadinejad and Hitler.
• Iranian blogger, Arash Motamed, Rooz Online reported that Commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, an extremist in Iranian politics and the former Commander of the Passdaran Revolutionary Guards Corps has been appointed deputy to Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. He has vowed to destroy those whom he considers to be “enemies” of Islamic culture.
• Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Britain's Liberal Democrats suggested the European Union should offer Iran a new set of proposals to break the deadlock in negotiations over the country's nuclear program.
• Fox News produced an interview with Secretary Rice. Watch it here.
• Rooz Online reported that at the UN, Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's new president called for the establishment of democracy, justice and love of human beings. He asks whether Mr. President's sense of justice includes defending women’s rights.
• The Daily Times reported that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said his country will not follow Pakistan in making official contact with Israel.
• Aawsat.com reported that a teenager was forced against his will to bomb a Shi'a mosque in Iraq. The attack failed; he later admitted to being forced to carry out this mission after being kidnapped, badly beaten and drugged by terrorists.
• Reporters Without Borders noted that Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji has not been allowed any visits since his return to Evin prison, 25 days ago.
• Voice of America reported that President Bush has cautiously welcomed North Korea's pledge to give up its nuclear weapons.
• Iranian.ws reported that a South African Foreign Ministry spokeswoman dismissed claims of South Africa's participation in Iran's nuclear program.
• Islamic Republic News Agency reported that an Iranian nuclear official said that if Europeans wish to change the rule of the game, Tehran will reciprocate.
• Pink News reported that a 22 year old gay Iranian has escaped his home country after being subjected to 100 lashes.
• Time Magazine in an interview with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said U.S. and European diplomatic efforts will soon bear fruit.
• IranMania reported that France, England and Germany (EU3) distributed their proposed draft resolution against Iran among delegates of 35-member IAEA Governing Council.
• Peter Brookes, RealClearPolitics reported on the burning mysteries that concern world leaders about Iran's nuclear program.
• News Max reported that a Russian diplomat said: Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov is really pissed off with the Iranians.
• Telegraph UK reported a serious rift has opened between Tony Blair and Jack Straw over whether to retain the threat of military action against Iran.
• Reuters reported that top officials from the United States, European Union, Canada and Japan failed to persuade Russia that Iran's nuclear program should be reported to the U.N. Security Council.
• Reuters reported that Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said: Iran may be as little as six months away from completing the know-how to build a nuclear bomb.
• And finally, a Photo of the leaders of the world: Ahamidnejad Stands Out in a Crowd.