Thursday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 10.26.2005:

German Publication Claims Al Qaeda Leaders Operate Freely in Iran

Dan Darling, Regnum Crucis: Ciceronian Affairs

The German political magazine Cicero, which I've noted before (and apparently the BKA information contained in the article was accurate, as its publication prompted a raid on the Potsdam magazine's offices).

The original article can be accessed in its original German here, but these appear to be the passages that raised the alarm of the German authorities:

How far he [Zarqawi] left Bin Ladin's shadow behind is proven by numerous files and dossiers put together both by Western and Middle East secret services as well as information and documents compiled by German security authorities.

They do not only show the career of headhunter Al-Zarqawi, but also that his career in the name of Allah could only take place because God's killers were supplied with logistical support, money, and weapons by state organizations in a number of Middle Eastern states.

Top of the list of Al-Zarqawi's sponsors: the Islamic Republic of Iran and the hardliners from the group around the Al-Quds Brigades of the Revolutionary Guards, the Pasdaran. It is Germany's Federal Office of Criminal Investigation (BKA), of all places, that has confirmed that Iran "provided Al-Zarqawi with logistical support on the part of the state." According to BKA files, Iran used to be "an important logistical basis." READ MORE

A MUST READ: The report has significant credibility as the German government raided the publication down after the initial report was published claiming classified state documents were used. The international media are also reporting on the Cicero report. Reuters:

Iran is permitting around 25 high-ranking al Qaeda members to roam free in the country's capital... They are living in houses belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the report said.

"This is not incarceration or house arrest," a Western intelligence agent was quoted as saying. "They can move around as they please."

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

• Mehdi Khalaji, The Washinton Institute discussed what it will take to create effective international pressure for Human Rights in Iran.
• ReleaseGanji.net published a letter from Akbar Ganji's wife revealing his recent torture.
• Ronny Sofer, YNet News reported that Danny Gillerman, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N., demanded that the U.N. remove Iran from the U.N.
• Plaut's Complaint, Moonbat Central discussed Iran's goal of a world without the United States or Zionism, which Ahmadinejad said is: attainable and could definitely be realized.
• The Guardian UK reported that a committee of Islamic clerics in Iran this week banned foreign films.
• BBC News reported that Iran leader's words 'sicken' the UK.
• Amir Taheri, Gulf News discussed the problems facing the United Nations Security Council as it ponders what to do with Syria in the aftermath of the Detlev Mehlis report.
• Bill Samii, Radio Free Europe reported that Iraqi Kurds want Masud Rajavi, leader of the MKO based in Iraq, to be arrested and tried.
• The Financial Times argued that the US/EU3 are now relying on Russia to find a solution with Iran.
• BBC News reported that Israel regards Iran as "a clear and present danger."
• Khaleej Times Online reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said: Moving towards the West would be fatal for Islamic Iran.
• Farhad Motamed, Rooz Online reported on the recent threat of executing 210 journalists inside of Iran.
• Saeed Mirbahrami, Rooz Online reported that a new wave of subpoenas have been issued to journalists requiring them to appear before Tehran’s Prosecutor.
• Maryam Kashani, Rooz Online reported that Ahmadinejad is not cooperating with the conservative Majlis.
• Shahram Raffizadeh, Rooz Online reported on the extremes to which the regime is blocking internet access inside of Iran.
• Mehrangiz Kar, Rooz Online reported on the regime's betrayal of Human Rights in Iran and the present danger to human rights advocates there.
• And finally, Another cartoon on Iran's Nuclear Program.