Week in Review

DoctorZin provides a review of this past week's [9/04-9/10] major news events regarding Iran. (The reports are listed in chronological order, not by importance)

Ahmadinejad - A dangerous terrorist is flying into NY City next week.

• Iran Press News reported that Hamidreza Assefi, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran said: The U.S.'s refusal to grant a visa to the Islamic Republic's Parliamentary delegation to attend the world conference of international parliamentarians is considered exceedingly rude. Adding: The United States with this action has proven itself unqualified to host international networks.
• Iran Press News reported Shokrollah Attaarzadeh, member of a division the Islamic regime's majority, in reaction to the United States refusal to grant Haddad Adel and his delegation visas said: Ahmadinejad must order Iran's extrication from the United Nations charter and have the embassies of countries who associate with America, closed.
• Mehr News reported that Ahmadinejad who is going to attend the summit of the United Nations General Assembly in New York will travel to there directly from Tehran. In a reversal, the State Department will let him bring with him the Majlis speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel and his parliamentary entourage.
• Reuters reported that the United States granted a visa to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
• The Peninsula reported that the speaker of Iran's parliament yesterday cancelled plans to visit New York for a UN meeting because of delays in receiving a US visa.
• Nasser Rashidi, The Global Politician reminded us that the State Department says Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a terrorist, but will grant him a visa anyway.
• SMCCDI has obtained a permit for protest by the UN for the September 14th protests of Ahmadinejad in NYC. They need our support.
• SMCCDI released a public letter to John Bolton, the US Ambassador at the UN regarding Ahmadinejad's visit to the UN.
• Political Prisoner, Mehrdad Haydarpour, Iran Press News writing from Evin Prison asked: What could the decrepit wolf, Ahmadinejad, have to say at the U.N.?
• Iran Press News reported that the Democratic Front of Iranian Kurds called for New York demonstrations against Ahmadinejad's presence at the U.N.

Iran's Nuclear Program.

• Reuters reported that the IRI said threats of U.N. Security Council referral would not persuade it to abandon its nuclear program.
• Chicago Tribune provided a recap of the major evidence of Iran secret nuclear program.
• Ha'aretz reported that the IRI rejected a European threat that Tehran had less than two weeks to freeze uranium conversion or face referral to the UN Security Council.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that the European Union felt betrayed by the IRI's restarting its uranium enrichment process. One diplomat saying: The Iranians have destroyed the basis for dialogue.
• Iran Press News reported that Mohammad Saeedi, the deputy of the Iranian Nuclear Energy Agency, warned Europe saying: they should know that the regime also has plans in place in response to each one of the step that they take; it will all be scrutinized and enforced.
• Reuters said that Russia opposes reporting Iran to the U.N. Security Council.
• Agence France-Presse: The European Union has lost hope that Iran will again suspend its uranium conversion activities.
• BBC News reported that London-based think tank, The International Institute for Strategic Studies, has assessed that Iran is still several years away from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. But takes no comfort in this.
• Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor believes Iran has changed its tack in its nuclear standoff with the west.
• And finally, Financial Times reported that Russia on Monday ruled out an early decision to report the Iran nuclear controversy to the United Nations Security Council.
• Reuters reported that Seoul acknowledged that a South Korean firm had nearly sold Iran a substance that can be used to boost a nuclear explosion.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that a senior European Union diplomat said two years of talks with Iran are basically in the rubbish bin.
• Asia Times Online reported that in the high-stakes nuclear poker game between Iran and the EU-3, Tehran has decided to call the EU's bluff and turn the game around.
• Reuters reported that Iran's top nuclear negotiator's visit to Pakistan sought to soothe growing international unease over its nuclear program.
• Gulf Daily News reported that top deputies in Iran's parliament have threatened to limit UN inspectors' access to nuclear sites and even revoke its commitment to an additional protocol of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• Iran Press News reported on the Iranian regime's anxiety in the face of U.N. Security Council referral.
• Bernard Gwertzman, The Council on Foreign Relations an interview with Ray Takeyh, the Council’s top expert on Iran.
• Media Line reported that Germany wants Iran to be referred to the United Nations Security Council.
• Louis Charbonneau, Reuters reported Iran threatened that: many countries will sustain a loss if Iran's nuclear dossier is securitized (by the UN Security Council).
  
• The Guardian reported that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Russia, China and India to support threatening Iran with sanctions for refusing to halt its nuclear program, saying: Iran needs to get a message from the international community that is a unified message.
• Reuters reported that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: The United States expects Iran will be referred to the U.N. Security council.
  
• Reuters reported that Rafsanjani called on the western countries to stop making a fuss over Iran's atomic activities, warning: If they make immature decisions or implement their threats, Iran will not be the only country to be harmed.
• And finally, The Guardian reported that the British government softened its stance on the Iranian nuclear issue yesterday, for the first time, shifting the emphasis away from sanctions.
• The Indian Express reported that the US is turning the screws on Iran.
• Xinhuanet reported that Moscow rejected on Saturday appeals from the United States and other Western countries to support an initiative to submit Iran's nuclear problem to the UN Security Council.
• The Economist asked: Why is the pressure suddenly seeming to leak out of the diplomacy to persuade Iran to end its nuclear dabbling—just when the regime is flaunting its defiance?
• The New York Times reported the Bush administration has opened an unusual diplomatic struggle with Russia, China and India to have Iran's suspected nuclear weapons activities brought before the United Nations Security Council.
• Iran Press News reported a representative of the Islamic Parliament said: one cannot trust the Russians, Chinese, Germans, French and British.
• Iran Press News reported that Hassan Rowhani, the regime's ex-nuclear negotiator said: The conditions being set by Europeans for the continuation of discussions are unacceptable.
  

Akbar Ganji - Back in Jail.

• Reuters reported that Akbar Ganji was returned to prison.
• Iran Press News quoted Akbar Ganji's wife as saying: The regime's authorities had promised Ganji that with the various conditions in place and his hunger strike terminated, that he would be handed his release orders within 10 days; however as usual, the so-called Gentlemen, including Mortazavi conned us.
• Eli Lake, The NY Sun reported that Iran's justice minister, Jamal Karimirad said that Akbar Ganji was transferred to Evin Prison after the hospital leave and will serve his sentence.
  

Other Iranian dissidents inside of Iran.

• Iran Press News reported on the new fabricated charges against activist and political prisoner, Bina Darab-Zand, adding that Darab-Zand and fellow activist and prisoner, Behrooz Javid-Tehrani are both on hunger strike together.
• Iran Press News reported on the condition of several political prisoners, Kayvan Rafii, Behrooz Javid-Tehrani and Ejlaal Qavami.
• Iran Press News reported that Mostafa Jokaar, imprisoned journalist, is in grave danger after sustaining a heart attack in prison. The prison authorities refuse to allow him to be transported to a hospital so that he can in fact die.
  

The unrest against the regime spreads in Iran.

• Iran Press News reported that starting tomorrow, the Islamic regime's disciplinary forces fearing widespread protests, demonstrations and uprisings have plan to strategically place their disciplinary forces around university campuses and high schools, calling it: a direct confrontation with hoodlums and misfits.
• TurkishPress reported clashes in western Iran with Kurdish terrorists have left 120 Iranian police dead and a further 64 injured in less than six months.
• Iran Focus reported that more than 500 people attacked two government buildings and set fire to tyres in the streets of the town of Basamanj, northwest Iran, in protest to constant water and electricity disruptions.
  

Who is Who in Iran.

• Bahrain Tribune reported that former national police chief and defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf was appointed mayor of Tehran.
• Iran Press News reported that Qaalibaaf, the new mayor of Tehran confessed that people do not "live in Tehran" so much as they "tolerate" it.
• Adam Zagorin, Time Magazine reported that the nominee for Iran's powerful position of Oil Minister, Ali Saeedlou, couldn't get past his educational résumé. Iran's Parliament asked Saeedlou how he could have received a doctorate from an American university when he was supposedly living in Iran.
  

The Power Struggle inside of Iran.

• Iranian blogger, Hossein Derakhshan, Hoder.com reported that a recent photo provides evidence of the public split between Khamenei and Rafsanjani.
  

Iran's Troublemaking.

• Iran Focus reported that Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) has infiltrated key levers of power in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala, southern Iraq.
• Iran Focus reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps announced that dozens of “trained volunteers for martyrdom-seeking operations” will soon stage a manoeuvre to display their “readiness”.
• Arnaud de Borchgrave, The Washington Times said for those the say: If Iran wanted, it could make Iraq hell for the United States. He responds: Well, Iran not only wants to, it already has.
  

U.S. Policy.

• RIA Novosti reported that the United States does not have a clear policy in dealing with Iran, said Viktor Orlov, director of the Center for political studies in Russia.
• Reuters reported that Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick said: China will be increasingly in conflict with the United States if it continues to pursue energy deals with countries like Iran and is unlikely to gain the energy security it seeks.
• Sify.com reported that members of the United States Committee on International relations criticized India's stand on the Iranian nuclear issue.
• The Telegraph UK reported that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has sought a meeting with George W. Bush on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
  

The Iranian Military.

• Iran Press News quoted Massoud Jazayeri, spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard saying: The slightest action taken by the United States vis a vis this matter will turn every single one of that country's states, into a disaster area.

The Iranian Economy.

• Iran mania reported that the U.S. has finally agreed with France’s sale of the VIP aircraft to Iran.
• Iran Mania reported that assets held by Iranian nationals residing in the United States reached $800 bln last year.
• IranMania.com reported that Iran's stock market chief dismissed reports that the proposed oil bourse will use the euro.
  

Human Rights/Freedom of the press inside of Iran.

• SMCCDI reported that a man accused to have waged 'war against god' was hanged, yesterday, in the southeastern City of Iranshahr.
• IranMania reported that Shirin Ebadi accused the hardline judiciary of placing so much pressure on her colleagues that few were prepared to defend dissidents.
• Iran Press News reported on received reports the IRI has executed political prisoner Ismail Mohammadi,by hanging.
• Iran Press News published an Iran Daily report that the disciplinary forces of the regime are ganging up and swarming around girls, harassing, disgracing and insulting them.
• Iran Focus reported that the IRI's prosecutor’s offices announced women who violate Iran’s strict Islamic dress code will be flogged immediately, usually 100 lashes in public.
• Iran Press News reported on a statement issued by the Kurdish Democratic Front of Iran regarding the execution sentence of 3 other activists.
• Iranian blogger, Windsteed, Iran Hopes mentioned that a UN special rapporteur on human rights will soon be visiting Tehran for a meeting with Ganji and other political prisoners.
• SMCCDI reported that tens have been arrested and hundreds more investigated in Iranian cities in the frame of a new systematic crackdown.
• Reporters Without Borders demanded the immediate release of four journalists who were arrested in the Kurdish part of Iran.
• Iran Press News reported that drivers of the Tehran Bus Drivers Association turned on the headlights of their vehicles in protest to non-receipt of their wages and benefits. The regime reacted harshly and arrested several drivers.
  

Protests inside of Iran.

• Iran Press News reported that workers in Khuzestan blocked the transit road between the cities of Ahvaz and Khorramshahr for an hour. The workers protested the company's conditions and apathy in the work place as well non payment of their salaries for the past two months.
• Iran Press News reported that workers gathered in Tehran to protest the mismanagement and dereliction of the authorities of said factory.
• Iran Press News reported that Azad Lotfpour, spokesman for the Committee for the National Civil and non-Government Protestors who attended the protest in front of the office of the governor of Kurdistan, was arrested today in Sanandadj.
• Iran Press News reported that the people of a suburb of Tabriz (Azerbaijan Province) protested the lack of water then attacked and invaded government offices and set fire to tires in the town square.
• KurdishMedia News called for the release of Ms. Roya Tolouie, an activist in the women’s movement, and a member of the Association for the Defence of Women in Kurdistan. She was arrested following a peaceful sit-in to demand the release of prisoners.
  

Iran and the International community.

• Iraqi blogger, Mohammed, Iraq the Model thinks that Iran is seeking a limited confrontation and Iran is calculating the possible gains and losses.
• Yoav Stern, Iran Press Service reported that one day after the historic meeting of Pakistani and Israeli foreign affairs ministers in Istanbul, it was learnt that Israel has opened a diplomatic mission in the Persian Gulf sheikhdom of United Arab Emirates.
• The Washington Times reported that the president of Iran's powerful Higher Council for National Security, Ali Larijani, canceled a Monday visit to Pakistan. Foreign Ministry spokesman saying: we express sorrow and bewilderment over the cordial meeting between Pakistani and Zionist officials.
• Iran Press News discussed China and Russia's dangerous game with the Mullahs.
• Frederick W. Stakelbeck, FrontPageMagazine.com reported that energy is bringing China and Iran closer together.
• Mehr News reported that Iran has held negotiations with Austria, Swiss, and France to export gas to these countries.
• MosNews reported a Russian oil company was forced to suspend its work in Iran due to the unstable political situation in the country.
• The New Zealand Herald reported a company is under scrutiny as part of a global investigation into the black market trade of United States military parts to Iran.
  

Iran's Offer of Help After Hurricane Katrina.

• Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the IRI will help US victims of Hurricane Katrina if there is a need to do so.
• Iranian blogger, Windsteed, Iran Hopes angry with his government's lack of concern for the victims of Katrina said: I wish to speak for all Iranians who are well-known for their kindness and caring attitude towards others: Our hearts are with victims of this massive and sad human tragedy.
• Islamic Republic News Agency reported the IRI announced readiness to send twenty million barrels of crude oil to the United States to help Washington deal with the consequences of Hurricane Katrina, if the sanctions are lifted.
• News Max reported that Iran offered to send the United States 20 million barrels of crude oil in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina if Washington waived trade sanctions, but a State Department official said the offer was rejected.
• Eli Lake, The NY Sun reported on U.S. rejection of Cuban Aid and 20 Million Barrels of Iranian Oil.
  

Can You Believe This?

• Iran Press News reported that the director of the regime's emergency management office confessed that under the rule of the Mullahs, Iran has become the sixth most disaster-ridden country in the world.
  

Must Read reports.

• The Mercury News reported that the most direct threat to Iran's theocracy is its expanding and restless middle class.
• Sebastian Rotella, Los Angeles Times reported that 74% of European respondents, compared with 51% of Americans, want their governments to help establish democracy in other countries.
• Iranian blogger, Farid Pouya, Webgardian provided the link to the Transatlantic Trends poll on European attitudes.
• Iranian blogger, Farid Pouya, Webgardian quoted Fred Halliday, Professor in London School of Economic, who said: if we look at Iranian history we see Iranian leaders always miscalculated when they faced important events.
  

The Experts.

• Amir Taheri, Aawsat.com makes the case for NOT invading Iran. A must read.
• Amir Taheri, The NY Post reported on the "Quiet War" in Iraq and a disturbing recent agreement between Iran and Iraq.
  

Cartoon of the week.

• Cox & Forkum published a cartoon: Confronting Terrorism IV.
  

And finally, The Quote of the Week.

Iran Press News reported that Larijani, the Secretary of the regime's high council of security, warned:

Europeans and other major world powers (China and Russia) better not make the mistake of using the big stick of the U.N.'s Security Council.