A Daily Briefing on Iran: Sunday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 1.1.2005:

Rebel group captures 9 Iranian soldiers-Arabiya TV

A little-known Sunni rebel organisation says it has abducted nine Iranian soldiers to pressure Tehran to free imprisoned members of the group, Al Arabiya television said on Sunday.

A caller speaking for the Jundollah (God's Soldiers) said the soldiers were seized near Iran's border with Pakistan, and demanded the release of 16 group members, the satellite television channel said.

Iranian officials were not immediately available to comment. In July, the group said it beheaded an Iranian security agent it had abducted the previous month. READ MORE

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

Adnkronos International reported that the Iranian government will set aside funds in its next annual budget to prevent what it says are "American plots."
Iran Focus reported that a top Iranian official said on Friday that Iran viewed the right to enrich uranium on its own soil as a “red line” not to be crossed.
IranMania.com reported that Pakistan will take a final decision about the multi-billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project in two months.
Itar-Tass reported that the Director of Russia’s Federal Atomic Energy Agency, Sergei Kiriyenko, is scheduled to visit Iran, in February.
Radio Free Europe hosted a roundtable discussion in December about "women and power" in Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
WSTM-TV reported that the Bush administration will be looking to 2006 for the fulfillment of its foreign policy goals.
SMCCDI reported that hundreds of Bassji and militiamen have been deployed in the central City of Shiraz and were on maneuvers for taking back the city from 'unidentified' forces.
SMCCDI reported that the Iranian National Soccer Team has been re-selected for the upcoming June's World Cup in Germany. Each of its scheduled games are believed to lead to more hostile demos against the Islamic republic regime, both inside and outside the country.
Iran Focus reported that some 200 workers from the Miral glass factory held a demonstration and set fire to tires south of Tehran Saturday morning in protest to their employers’ refusal to pay their overdue salaries. SMCCDI also published a report.
And finally, Fars News Agency published photos of a Glass workers protest in Tehran.