Friday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 10.7.2005:

Is Iran about to make concessions on human rights?

Rooz Online:

The judiciary directive to release imprisoned student activists, which was initially requested by the "Association for the Defense of the Rights of Prisoners" that specifically called for the release of 34 prisoners, and the judiciary’s recent emphasis on the necessity of having juries for political trials are new initiatives from the ultra-conservatives now in the driving seat in Tehran that signal more than just simple administrative changes.

In less than three months since it has come to power, the administration of president Ahmadinejad, it appears is trying to come up with a more cohesive domestic and even foreign policy to change the image that Iran has acquired and which is a barrier to many of its larger goals. Political observers have interpreted these moves to indicate a change to moderation from the initial hardline policies of the government. But for a purpose. They call this strategy “attack to defend”. In their view, the regime is aggressively trying to remove the foreign threat through this approach which it strongly defends in the face of public and even official criticism.

But attack what to defend what? READ MORE

While this appears to be merely a tactical retreat in response to growing demands for greater human rights in Iran, it shows the international support for Iranian dissidents is having an effect.

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

• Nasser Karimi, The Guardian reported that Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told state-run TV that Iran would be entitled to put an end to unfettered inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency unless it changes its resolution on Iran.
• Farhad Mahdavi, Rooz Online reported that over the three-day weekend, residents of Tehran and its outer suburbs witnessed unannounced military exercises that involved the use of live munitions and firepower. They asked: Which threat needs to be cracked down?
• Soheil Asefi, Rooz Online interviewed Kamal Daneshyar, the chairman of the Majlis Energy committee, who called on the government to punish Britain and break off its diplomatic ties.
• Mehrdad Sheibani, Rooz Online reported that the leader of the judiciary branch, Hashemi Shahroodi, ordered a list be provided him with the grounds for the release of 34 political prisoners.
• TurkishPress reported that a top Iranian official said: Since the start of the crisis, Mohamed ElBaradei always resisted US pressure. But recently he has changed his position and his last report was very political.
• Baku TODAY reported while the United States has undertaken the construction of a radar installation near Iran's northern border, this military assistance from the United States, was not a threat to its neighbors.
• Khaleej Times reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that the next step by Iran in its nuclear program is to be starting the uranium enrichment process.
• Michael Smith, The Sunday Times reported on how the Foreign Office tried in vain to bury Iran links in supporting the insurgency in Iraq.
• And finally, David E. Sanger, The New York Times reported that President Bush declared in a speech that the United States and its partners had disrupted 10 serious plots since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.