Week in Review

DoctorZin provides a review of this past week's [10/23-10/29] major news events regarding Iran. (The reports are listed in chronological order, not by importance)

Ahmadinejad's Threatens the U.S. and Israel.

• Agence France Presse:Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday openly called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
• Memri.org published an English translation of the Iranian President's speech at Tehran "World without Zionism" Conference.
• Iran Press News reported that Ahmadinejad mocked the West saying: the West is simply opposed to the nature of Islamic order; therefore when the nuclear issue is resolved, westerners will take issue with our human rights problems and when that's resolved, they will probably pick on us for animal rights abuse.... When the centrifuges are started up again, things will transform.
• 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.
• BBC News reported that Iran leader's words 'sicken' the UK.
• Khaleej Times Online reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said: Moving towards the West would be fatal for Islam.
• BBC News reported that Israel regards Iran as "a clear and present danger."
  
• 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.
• Maryam Kashani, Rooz Online reported that Ahmadinejad is not cooperating with the conservative Majlis.
• The Associated Press reported that European governments condemned the Iranian president. The report reminded us of nearly identical statements by Khomeni.
  
• Deutrsch Welle reported that the foreign policy spokesman for Germany's new government said: Those who want to wipe out Israel cannot be partners of Germany.
• Reuters reported that Russia warned Tehran that such comments added to pressure for Iran to be referred to the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear program.
• United Nations reported that Koffi Annan said the right of all States in the Middle East to live in peace will now top the agenda of his upcoming visit to Iran.
• ABC News reported that Arab governments remained silent.
• Adnkronos International reported that their spokesman, Seyyed Massoud Jazayeri said: If this cancer (Israel) is not removed from the Islamic world, Muslims will sustain immense harm.
• The Jerusalem Post asked: Was this rhetoric of a political novice or words from a man of action?
• Nema, Iranian Truth (a pro-"reformist" blogger) asked: What did Ahmadinejad mean by saying that Israel "must be wiped off the map"?
• Safa Haeri, Asia Times Online reported on the rest Ahmadinejad's speech say: I say accomplishment of a world without America and Israel is both possible and feasible.
• The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel called for the remove of Iran from the UN.
• Channel 4 UK reported that Tony Blair launched an unprecedented attack on Iran, that he will hold talks with allies on the matter in the next few days. He added: Iran was making a "very big mistake" if it thought the world would ignore the comments.
• Iran Press News reported that the 3 Ambassadors of the Islamic regime to Britain, France & Germany were discharged, under Ahamdinejad's orders.
• Monsters and Critics reported that the government of President Ahmadinejad called on Iranians Thursday 'to riot against Zionists (Israel) and unbelievers' in nationwide demonstrations planned for Friday.
• Philip Webster, The Times UK:Tony Blair gave warning last night that the West might have to take military action against Iran after worldwide condemnation of its President’s call for Israel to be “wiped off the map”.
• 10 Downing Street released a transcript of the press briefing from the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman on Iran.
• Agence France Presse reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday dismissed widespread international condemnation of his call for Israel to be "wiped off the map", saying his controversial remark was "right and just".
• BBC News reported that while Iran has defended its president's call for Israel to be "wiped off the map," a senior Palestinian official rejected the Iranian position.
• JTA News reported that both houses of Congress unanimously condemned the Iranian president’s call to annihilate Israel.
• Xinhua News Agency reported that the UN Security Council discussed a British-drafted presidential statement which would decry the Iranian president's radical comments on Israel.
• Agence France Presse then reported that the UN Security Council on Friday condemned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comment.
• Eli Lake, The NY Sun reported that the U.N. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, will go ahead with plans to visit Tehran, even after the Iranian president's call for Israel to be "wiped of the map."
• Khaleej Times Online reported that Arab governments maintained silence yesterday over the call by Iran's new president for Israel to be "wiped off the map," but analysts said Teheran's Arab rivals may quietly be pleased.
• Islamlic Republic News Agency attempted to blame the US State Department for having "directly ordered the US media to raise hues and cries against Iran's head of state."
• Middle East Online reported that Iran was Friday holding its annual anti-Israeli hate fest. The turnout was smaller than past events.
• Ramita Navai, The Times UK was among thousands on the streets of the Iranian capital for annual anti-Israel rallies and reported that it would be a mistake to think that all of Iran is on the streets baying for Israel's blood and that the majority of ordinary Iranians don't really care about Israel- they have enough to worry about at home with a declining economy and high unemployment.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that Iran hit back Saturday at the U.N. Security Council after the world body condemned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's call for Israel to be destroyed.
• The Telegraph reported on the return to hard rhetoric dashes the hope of ending the crisis.
• The Voice of America News reported that Iran says it stands by its U.N. commitments not to use violence against another country.
  

Iran's Nuclear Program.

• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that the Islamic Republic of Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in Moscow.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley arrived in Moscow.
• Alexander Reuto, Jommersant reported that Moscow intends to convince Tehran to compromise or Russia will wash its hands of its opposition to referring Iran the UN Security Council.
• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that Iran may consider holding talks with the United States, if...
• Thomas C. Schelling, The Wall Street Journal wonders, while we have enjoyed 60 years without nuclear weapons exploded in anger can we make it through another half dozen decades?
• Sky News reported that Tony Blair has warned Iran to stop supporting terrorism and abide by the rules over nuclear weapons.
• Scotsman reported that a failure to halt Iran's ambitions to develop a nuclear bomb could lead other countries in the region to acquire nuclear weapons.
• Michael Adler, Agence France Presse reported that the United States and the European Union will hold off taking Iran before the UN Security Council.
• The Financial Times argued that the US/EU3 are now relying on Russia to find a solution with Iran.
• Ali Nourizadeh, Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Washington is examining ways of forcing Iran to drop its Nuclear Program. A must read.
• Iran Press News reported that despite Rafsanjani's new power in Iran, he said: I will not get into the nuclear discussions.
• The Jerusalem Post reported that Russia says Iran not a nuclear threat.
  

Iranian Dissidents.

• Azar Nafisi, SF Chronicle reported that Akbar Ganji has come to represent the democratic movement in Iran because he has revealed the "true face of the system in the Islamic Republic of Iran."
• Reporters Without Borders reiterated its outrage at the treatment of journalist Akbar Ganji and reported disturbing updates on his condition.
• Iran Press News reported that the Islamic Judiciary has summoned the families of the Student political prisoners in order to "complete the investigations and present information on the Ministry of Intelligence and Security's prisoner list."
• Iran Press News reported that there is no news from political prisoner, Behrooz Javid-Tehrani, detained at Rejaiishahr prison.
• Iran Press News reported that while political prisoners of Rejaiishahr prison, visited with their families. The families of these prisoners called it "staged" and a ruse to prevent the two prisoners from taking their deserved furloughs.
• Iran Press News reported that Seyed Ahmad Seyed Seraajee Tabrizi blogger was sentenced to 1 year in prison by the appeals court.
• ReleaseGanji.net published a letter from Akbar Ganji's wife revealing his recent torture.
• Bill Samii, Radio Free Europe reported that Iraqi Kurds want Masud Rajavi, leader of the MKO based in Iraq, to be arrested and tried.
• Amnesty International reported that they are gravely concerned at reports that Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji was tortured and ill-treated by Iranian security officers.
• Iran Press News reported the people of Mahabad protested the execution sentence of a local youth involved in the recent unrest there. He was accused of murder.
• Iran Press News reported on the one-year prison sentence for a Sanandadji youth arrested in the Kurdistan unrest.
• Iran Press News reported that a High Tribunal of the regime sentenced Shahla Jahed to death.
  

The Unrest Inside of Iran.

• Iran Press News reported that several of the employees, professors and students of Azad University of Qazvin were arrested; they were charged with "establishing a network of corruption in a university."
  

Iran's troublemaking.

• Reuters reported that 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.
• Amir.irani-tehrani.com reported that since the mid 90s, a group of “Neo-Hezis” have infiltrated the Iranian Diaspora and exile communities.
  

U.S. Policy.

• Reuters reported that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said military action against Iran over its nuclear program is not on the agenda.
• NewsMax reported that six months after announcing a plan to give $3 million to promote democracy in Iran, the U.S. State Department has yet to release the funds.
• Reuters reported that President George W. Bush on Friday called Iran and Syria "outlaw regimes" and once again saying: The United States makes no distinction between those who commit acts of terror and those who support and harbor them because they are equally guilty of murder.
• The White House released a transcript of President Bush's Speech where he shares his view of the war on terror.
  

The Iranian Military.

• BBC News reported that Iran launched its first satellite into space from Plesetsk in northern Russia on Thursday. Now they have an eye in the sky.
• Iran Press News reported that a delegation has been sent by the regime's authorities to Russia in order to purchase Russian helicopters and Topolov airplanes.
• World Tribune reported that Iran has sent its first satellite into space and have achieved limited space reconnaissance capability over the entire Middle East, including Israel.
  

The Economy.

• Business Week reported that just months after Iran elected Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as President, the conservatives are fighting among themselves and business capital is fleeing the country.
• Iran Press News reported that Ahmadinejad's own site said the escape of capital from Iran has quickened.
  

Human Rights/Freedom of the press inside of Iran.

• Shahram Kholdi, ScanIranic pubished a report of an appeal hearing of Webloggers from the Holy City of Qom, plus an update.
• Mehdi Khalaji, The Washinton Institute discussed what it will take to create effective international pressure for Human Rights in Iran.
• The Guardian UK reported that a committee of Islamic clerics in Iran this week banned foreign films.
• 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.
• 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.
• FIDH released a Briefing Note on the Human Rights Situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
  

Efforts against the regime outside of Iran.

• Berlin Alliance against the Al-Quds Day is organizing a protest against the radical Iranian Al Quds day event there.
• Sherrie Gossett and Monisha Bansal, CNSNews reported that at a Washington DC news conference conducted by self-described Iranian dissidents descended into chaos as audience members and two journalists accused the speakers of spreading disinformation and being agents of Iranian intelligence.
• Yahoo News reported on a counter-protest in Berlin to the Iran sponsored anti-Israel demonstration. Photos.
  

Iran and the International community.

• James G. Forsyth, Foreign Policy reported that British Prime Minister Tony Blair has decided to play hardball with Iran.
• The Peninsula reported that Iran yesterday rallied behind Syria, its only regional ally, by praising Damascus for cooperating with a UN probe into the killing of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri.
• Golnaz Esfandiari, Radio Free Europe examined Iran's struggle to influence the region.
• Saul Singer, The Jerusalem Post asked how can it be that, four years after 9/11, there has been no attempt to impose international sanctions on Iran and Syria?
  

Insight into the Iranian people.

• ET, A View from Iran provided interesting insight into the Iranian attitude towards the regime's mandated public Ramadan fast. During Ramadan in Iran, you can’t eat or drink in public unless you are a traveler or are sick.
• Iran Press News reported that the nurses in private wards are living under the poverty line.
• Iran Press News reported that 15 million people, equal to 21% of the population in Iran, suffer from some form of mental illness, mainly depression.
  

Can You Believe This?

• Iran Press News reported shiny objects are appearing in the skies of Tabas (Province of Yazd).
  

Must Read reports.

• Memri.org published an English translation of the Iranian President's speech at Tehran "World without Zionism" Conference.
  
• George Melloan, The Wall Street Journal reported on the ramifications of the UN report on the murder of Lebanese leader Rafik Hariri for Syria. PLUS we have found of the UN report.
• Dan Darling, Regnum Crucis reported that a German Publication, known to have published German secrets in the past, claims Al Qaeda leaders operate freely in Iran.
• Ali Nourizadeh, Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Washington is examining ways of forcing Iran to drop its Nuclear Program. A must read.
  

The Experts.

• Amir Taheri, Jerusalem Post encourages the new leaders in Iraq to get their act together soon.
• Michael Ledeen, The National Review reported on our earlier report of Ahmadinejad's cabinet's agreement with the "12th Imam," the Islamic savior who allegedly has been in hiding for centuries in a well in Isfhan. A must read for policy makers.
• Michael Rubin, The Middle East Forum argued that nowhere has engagement failed so starkly as with Europe's dialogue with Iran.
• 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.
• Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat News warned Syria to ignore recent calls by Iran to resist Western pressure for change.
• Amir Taheri, The New York Post reminded us that the new president of the Islamic Republic, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, described Israel as "a stain of shame that has sullied the purity of Islam," and promised that it would be "cleansed very soon."
  

Photos, cartoons and videos.

• Winston, The Spirit of Man published videos of Americans in Iran. Worthwhile viewing.
  
• Another cartoon on Iran's Nuclear Program.
• Cox & Forkum published a cartoon: Ahmadinejad's Final Solution.
• Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi sent a photo showing Ahmadinejad's speech is nothing new.A Photo of Rafsanjani, showing his support of Ahmadinejad's stand on Israel, participating in the anti-Israel, Quds Day, march in Iran.
  

And finally, The Quote of the Week.

The world media has largely ignored his statements against the USA. In his speech he said:

We are in the process of an historical war between the World of Arrogance [i.e. the West] and the Islamic world, and this war has been going on for hundreds of years. ...

The issue of this [World without Zionism] conference is very valuable. In this very grave war, many people are trying to scatter grains of desperation and hopelessness regarding the struggle between the Islamic world and the front of the infidels ...

Is it possible for us to witness a world without America and Zionism? But you had best know that this slogan and this goal are attainable, and surely can be achieved..

A visual prop used at the event speaks a thousand words.