Week in Review

DoctorZin provides a review of this past week's [11/20-11/26] major news events regarding Iran. (The reports are listed in chronological order, not by importance)

Ahmadinejad.

• Roya Hakakian, The Washington Post reported that when Iranian President Ahmadinejad called last month for Israel to be wiped off the map, he showed that he hasn't learned any lessons from recent Iranian history.
• Iran Press News reported that Khamenei's newspaper criticized Ahmadinejad for his attempt to reestablish ties with the government of Egypt but praised him for his comments about “wiping Israel off the map”.
• TurkishPress.com reported that Iran's parliament rejected President Ahmadinejad's third nominee for oil minister.
• Iran Mania reported that Brigadier General Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, an IRGC commander, has been appointed the new deputy interior minister for security affairs.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that the failure of Iran's ultraconservative president to appoint an oil minister acceptable to Parliament has raised concerns about the fate of some major energy projects and created a domestic political crisis.
• The Financial Times reports that Iran's President has becomes an unlikely fashion icon to some in Iran.
• Iran Focus reported that Iran's government is getting a new spokesman.
• Angus McDowall, Independent News reported on a power struggle of titanic proportions has broken out between Iran's newly elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the country's parliament.
• Iran Focus reported that Iran’s conservative government appointed a senior cleric with no academic experience as the head of Tehran University. He is best known for his oversight of "prosecution chambers."
• The Associated Press reported that President Ahmadinejad said that the Bush administration should be tried for War Crimes.
• The Economist reports on Ahmadinejad's struggle to win control of the oil ministry.

Ahmadinejad's Mentor - Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi.

• Winston, The Spirit of Man reported that Mesbah Yazdi, the Ayatollah of Iran's suicide bombers, has announced that the Iranians living in the US need 5000 Islamic clerics for their religious services.
• The Telegraph UK reported Mr Ahmadinejad takes his spiritual cue from a man whose views go beyond even the orthodoxy of Iran's religious establishment - a little-known cleric nicknamed "Professor Crocodile."
  

Iran's Nuclear Program.

• Yahoo News reported that Iran's parliament approved a bill requiring the government to block international inspections of its atomic facilities if the U.N. nuclear monitoring agency refers Iran to the Security Council for possible sanctions.
• Malaysian National News Agency reported that Iran says it will not bow to UN nuclear agency demands to visit a military site in Tehran unless the UN provides "concrete proof" to justify an inspection.
• Philip Sherwell, Telegraph UK reported that President Bush has backed a plan to allow Iran to enrich uranium in Russia.
• Debka File reported that the Bush-Putin plan is not aimed at rescuing Iran but to draw Moscow into abandoning its resistance to sanctions.
• The Economist reported America, has been showing around documents that purport to be Iranian design work on a missile nose-cone of a sort that that could carry a nuclear warhead.
• Reuters reported that the EU powers and Washington have suspended their bid to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council instead focuses its efforts on a statement voicing concern about a document received by Iran which contained partial nuclear bomb-making instructions.
• ABC News reported that Iran has built, with the help of North Korea, dozens of underground tunnels and facilities for the construction of nuclear-capable missiles.
• Spiegel Online reported that Germany's Angela Merkel says she'll take a hardline against Tehran if Mahmoud keeps up the madness.
• Reuters reported that Britain's Jack Straw insisted that Iran meet its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty after Iranian lawmakers voted to block snap U.N. checks of nuclear sites.
• Louis Charbonneau, Reuters:The EU is ready to resume talks with Iran on its nuclear program provided it agrees to discuss a Russian proposal.
• George Jones, The Telegraph UK reported that Tony Blair said: Iran would pose a serious threat to world stability and peace if it developed a nuclear capability.
• Bronwen Maddox, The Times UK reported that Iran’s new President has sidestepped a fight with the rest of the world Thursday.
• Claude Salhani, United Press International provided details of North Korea's aid to Iran's secret tunnels reportedly used for their nuclear weapons program.
• ABC News reported that Washington and its European allies, in a diplomatic coup, are gradually Ilan Berman, The National Review argues that in dealing with Iran both the U.S. and Europe have substituted diplomatic negotiations for a serious strategy enlisting Chinese support on how to deal with Iran.
• Parinoosh Arami, Reuters reporting that Iran expects new EU nuclear talks after the IAEA meeting, Thursday.
• RIA Novosti reported that Russia said it was possible Iran's nuclear dossier would be referred to the UN Security Council.
• Louis Charbonneau, Reuters reported that Iran is pushing ahead with plans to enrich uranium in defiance of international pressure. However, western nations on the IAEA board would be likely to push for an immediate referral to the Council if it restarts enrichment.
• The Telegraph UK reported that Britain and key European allies are using intelligence briefings to convince major powers that Iran is trying to develop nuclear warheads for its Shahab-3 missiles.
• Louis Charbonneau, Reuters reported that the U.N. nuclear watchdog's governors broadly agree it is better to explore a Russian compromise over Iran's nuclear activities.
• The Associated Press reported that the European Union is accusing Iran of possessing documents used solely for the production of nuclear arms.
• Cecile Zwiebach, The Washington Institute asked: What Else can be Done about Iran's Nuclear Program?
• Adnkronos International reported that Rafsanjani said Iran is prepared to remove all ambiguities regarding its nuclear program.
• Iran Focus reported that Iran's hardliners claim victory after "EU climb-down."
• Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported that Iran declared itself willing in principle to cooperate with Russia over uranium enrichment, but insisted it be allowed to carry out part of the enrichment on Iranian soil.
• The Washington Times reported that Britain, in a statement on behalf of the 25-nation bloc, offered Iran new negotiations but added it won't be open for a great deal much longer.
• Reuters reported that Iran offered North Korea oil and natural gas as payment for help in developing nuclear missiles.
  

Iranian Dissidents.

• Iran Press News reported on several bloggers and political prisoners being framed and threatened by regime.
• Iran Press News reported on the sentencing of 3 youths described as “unruly”, to prison and flogging.
• ET, View from Iran found an interesting conversation with Nasser Zarafshan, Ganji's attorney, published in Germany, under the title: Tehran’s reformist mask has come off.
• Iran Press News reported that a group of the Evin prison guards stormed ward 350 of the prison and beating the prisoners confiscated their books, tapes and personal belongings.
• Iran Press News reported that a Kurdish journalist sewed his mouth up in the Marivaan Prison in protest.
• The Middle East Quarterly reported on the Iranian security forces arrest of 28-year-old Iranian journalist and weblogger Arash Sigarchi and other bloggers.
• Iran Press News reported the trial of Abdollah Nasseri, ex-general manager of the other regime-run news agency IRNA will begin on Saturday, Nov. 26th. He has been charged with "“intent to stir up public opinion through publication"”.
• Curt, The Committee to Protect Bloggers reported that blogger Ahmad Seyyed Saraj has escaped Iran to the Turkish city of Van and needs our help.
  

The Unrest Inside of Iran.

• Islamic Republic News Agency reported that a group of workers staged rally outside the Majlis (Parliament) on Sunday to protest the enforcement of the law on employment on temporary basis.
• Iran Press News reported on a worker from Esfahan who self-immolated in front of the Islamic Parliament’s Assembly.
• Iran Press News reported on the arrest of members of the regime’s information and security forces in provinces on charges of corruption.
• Iran Press News reported on the regime’s new crimes in the town of Mahabad, Kurdistan.
• Iran Press News reported on the story behind the execution of three people who raped an Islamic a novitiate seminarian.
• Radio Farda reported that a group of strangers destroyed the grave markings created by families of those who perished in the massacres of political prisoners in Iran in 1988.
• Iran Mania reported more unrest in Iran's northwestern city of Mahabad.
• Iran Press News reported that a group of teachers from Qazvin protested in front of the Islamic Parliament’s Assembly.
• Iran Press News reported on the gruesome murder of a Sunni cleric and his son in Kermanshah.
• Iran Press News reported that Mullah Meshkini told members of the Basij and the revolutionary guards that their main mission was to guard the existence of the regime against the ire of the Iranian people.
• Iran Press News reported that the Iranian regime tightened security at Amir Kabir industrial University over student protests.
• Reuters reported that in a "show of force" thousands of members of Iran's volunteer militia, the basij, paraded and formed human chains in Iranian cities. But state television showed human chains and small crowds, mostly numbering several hundred people, much fewer than expected.
• Meysam Tavab, Rooz Online asked why the Basij Volunteer Militia has started arming some of its units with heavy arms.
  

Human Rights/Freedom of the press inside of Iran.

• Reporters Without Borders today condemned a wave of summonses being issued to journalists to appear at the intelligence ministry'’s offices where these journalists are being intimidated into not to criticizing the new government.
• Iran Focus reported that the EU finally plays the Human Rights card.
  
• Iran Focus reported that Iran’s State Security Forces have launched a new crackdown on individuals selling satellite dishes.
• Meysam Tavab, Rooz Online reported on the serial murders of Iranian dissidents by Iranian intelligence and how those responsible have actually returned to official positions and have been responsible for other violent policies in the country.
• Mehrangiz Kar, Rooz Online reports the murder religious and secular intellectuals in Iran are permitted in article 226 of the Islamic Penal Code. A must read.
  

Iran's troublemaking.

• Iran Press News reported that Iran's Ansar Hezbollah said “We must do battle with America in Iraq.”
• Iran Focus reported that a senior officer of the Revolutionary Guards boasted that Lebanon’s Hezbollah group learnt suicide operation tactics from Iran.
• Iran Focus reported that Iraqi police uncovered a military centre with a large cache of explosives near the Iranian border. American and British Intelligence officials believe the high-explosives have been shipped into Iraq by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards with the full consent of the Iranian government.
  

The Economy.

• Iran Press Newsreported that with the sum total of the regime’s debts exceeding $40 billion and the decrease of oil prices this leaves the regime with 8 months worth of monetary reserves.
• Iran Press News reported that in the midst of the political tumult of the regime a number of Iranian oil experts have left Iran.
• Adnkronos International reported that important newspapers in Tehran have been "advised" to reject any advertisements for products made in South Korea, in response to South Korea's support for referral of Iran to the UN Security Council.
  

Iran and the International community.

• The Times of India made the case against Iran.
• Newsweek reported on this week's Iran/Iraq memorandum of understanding to cooperate on sensitive intelligence-sharing matters.
• Lanueva Cuba reported that Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Fidel Castro taught a very good lesson to world countries... on how to stand firm in their positions.
• Ha'aretz reported that Germany's Angela Merkel's new government will supply two German-built Dolphin submarines to the Israel Navy. This will offer Israel the most reliability when it comes to second-strike capability.
• ABC News reported that Iran's Supreme Leader urged visiting Iraqi officials to ask U.S.-led forces to leave their country.
• Iran Press News reported that the Dutch Foreign Minister opposes establishment of a "reformist" lead Persian-language TV.
• Financial Express reported that Russia is keen to build Iran pipeline to India.
• Iran Focus reported that Rafsanjani on Friday demanded a pullout of United States-led troops in Iraq after the country’s upcoming elections in December.
  

Can You Believe This?

• Islamic Republic News Agency reported on the "Weeping Dog in a Shia Pilgrimage Journey!" Watch the movie soon, no kidding.
• Iran Press News reported that Mullah Jannati, the Secretary General of the Guardian Council of the Islamic regime said: “Non-Muslims are varmint that roam around the earth and spread corruption.”
• Iran Press News reported that half of the buildings in Tehran will demolish in case of an earthquake.
• Adnkronos International reported that Iran's religious authorities officially invited Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, to convert to Islam.
• Adnkronos International reported that Iran's religious minorities have slammed recent controversial remarks by a top aide to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing non-Muslims as "sinful animals who roam the earth and engage in corruption."
• Iran Focus reported that Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned on Thursday the British ambassador to Tehran and protested what it called human rights abuses in the United Kingdom and the European Union.
• Iran Press News reported that Iran's Director of Foreign policy commission of Islamic Parliament'’s Assembly said that "“Blair is uncivilized"” for encouraging the Iranian people to take action against their government.
• Iran Press News reported that Khamnei'’s newspaper called Blair "delusional" and said that "westerners reason like cows."
• Iran Press News report 300 cases of self-immolation has occurred this past year in the Luristan province of Iran.
  

Must Read reports.

• Joseph Farah, WorldNetDaily reported that Newt Gingrich sees Iran threat to U.S. like Nazi Germany.
• The Guardian UK provided an interesting analysis of Iranian negotiating tactics.
• Mehdi Khalaji, The Washington Institute produced a concise review of Tehran's renewed war on culture. A must read.
• Timothy Garton Ash, The Guardian UK provides insight into Iranian popular thought on the current international crisis with Iran adding that the Iranian people want western nations to stick together and gave a consistent policy on Iran. A must read.
• Mehrangiz Kar, Rooz Online reports the murder religious and secular intellectuals in Iran are permitted in article 226 of the Islamic Penal Code. A must read.
  

The Experts.

• Cato.org asked: Is Iran a Trap?
• Amir Taheri, The New York Post reviewed John Bradley's "Saudi Arabia Exposed" which offers insight into Saudi life seldom reported in the West.
• Ilan Berman, The National Review argues that in dealing with Iran both the U.S. and Europe have substituted diplomatic negotiations for a serious strategy.
• Michael Ledeen, The National Review argued that our problems in Iraq have their origins in our complete denial see the war in Iraq as just part of a larger regional war which includes Iran and Syria.
• Strategic Studies Institute published a new book, Getting Ready for a Nuclear Iran, edited by: Mr. Henry D. Sokolski, Mr. Patrick Clawson. Available for download here.
• Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawat reported that despite what the circles opposed to the toppling of Saddam Hussein say about the need for a timetable for our withdrawal from Iraq. The truth, however, is that a timetable has been in place from the first day of the war.
• Amir Taheri, Arab News reported that Ahmadinejad knows that a revolution is like a bicycle: It keeps you up and going as long as you keep pedaling. He asks: How Long Can He Pedal?
  

Photos, cartoons and videos.

• Advarnews published photos of a ceremony held to remember the victims of the chain murders of Iranian dissidents.
• Amy Kellogg, FOX News released the first of her reports from inside Iran: A Country at a Crossroads. Video also available.
• Amy Kellogg, FOX News released part two of her reports from inside Iran: The Younger Generation. Video also available.
• Amy Kellogg, FOX News released part three of her reports from inside Iran: The Jewish Question. Video also available.
• Amy Kellogg, FOX News released part four of her reports from inside Iran: Iran's Nuclear Capability. Video also available.
• Amy Kellogg, FOX News released part five of her reports from inside Iran: U.S.-Iran Relations Strained. Video also available.
  

And finally, The Quote of the Week.

Iran Press News: Translation by Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi

Reported that Mullah Jannati, the Secretary General of the Guardian Council of the Islamic regime said:

“Non-Muslims are varmint that roam around the earth and spread corruption.