Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 12.14.2005:

State Dept. Rules Out Guarantee on Iran

Barry Schweid, The Associated Press:

The Bush administration is ruling out a guarantee not to attack Iran to induce it to halt development of nuclear weapons. Iran must first act like a responsible member of the international community and stop violating its agreements, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said Monday.

"That would represent a sea change in its behavior," Ereli said. "Then maybe other kinds of notions might be more palatable." READ MORE

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

• Frederick Kempe, The Wall Street Journal produced an excellent interview with Bernard Lewis. A must read.
• Iran Focus reported that Rafsanjani defended Iran President’s anti-Israel stance.
• Asher, Dreams into Lightning introduced us to a new Iranian blogger: Ghazal Omid.
• Amnesty International reported it is outraged that once again Iran has carried out the execution of a juvenile offender.
• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that Hamas chief met with Iranian leaders.
• Nina Shea, National Review Online reported why Ahmadinejad is making the Saudis nervous.
• Ha'aretz explains why Ahmadinejad can continue to smile while the world argues.
• Arutz Sheva reported that John Loftus, an intelligence expert with contacts in the Pentagon said "One of the intelligence agencies, which shall remain nameless, asked me to hold a conference of dissident groups in Iran. We are holding that conference and getting ready for regime-change."
• The Washington Times reported that an Iraqi general formerly in charge of special Interior Ministry forces said that a senior Iranian intelligence officer was in charge of a network of detention centers in Iraq where suspected insurgents were routinely tortured and sometimes killed. A must read.
• The Sun Herald reported that the Iranian-backed militia the Badr Organization has taken over many of the Iraqi Interior Ministry's intelligence activities.
• Drudge Report reported that Iraqi border police seized tanker truck that had just crossed from Iran filled with thousands of forged ballots.
• The Financial Times reported that a court in Italy has ordered the freezing of an Iranian government account in what lawyers say represents an unprecedented legal victory for three US families seeking compensation from Iran.
• Iranian.ws argued that the forces inside and outside Iran that they think they can change the political structure of Iran are wasting their time and deceiving the people of Iran.
• And finally, Rooz Online reported that Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi launched special classes for his disciples to prepare them to run for the upcoming elections to the State Experts Council for Leadership that reviews the work of the Leader and confirms his position or elects a new one.