Thursday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 1.19.2005:

Iran experts call for the third option: Support Regime Change inside of Iran.

• Michael Rubin, Wall Street Journal reported that 80% of the population have lost faith in the Islamic Republic and do not want to live under theocracy any more than do Americans or Europeans.
• Jonah Goldberg, The National Review reminded us that there is a third option in dealing with Iran, regime change from within.
• Michael Ledeen, The National Review examined why the Iranian people are waiting for the international community to stand with them in their desire to remove the Iranian regime.

The Latest Developments on the Iranian Nuclear Crisis.

• Adnkronos International reported that Iran may be much closer than previously thought to possessing significant quantities of enriched uranium, according to a source who has had direct access to the research laboratories of A.Q. Khan.
• Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, The CounterTerrorism Blog reported that as the Iran showdown draws closer, don't expect Iran or the U.S. to back down.
• Japan Economic Newswire reported that Russia has made a compromise proposal, seeking to simply "inform" the U.N. Security Council of Iran's nuclear issue instead of referring the issue to the council.
• The Economist examined what might happen if the IAEA does refer Iran to the UN.
• The Jerusalem Post reported that IDF Chief of Staff, Maj.-Gen. Dan Halutz, said: "We need to be fearful of those who call for the destruction of Israel and of the moment when they possess the means to carry out their wishes."

The Iranian Response.

• Iran Focus reported that, once again, Iran's Supreme Leader vowed that the Islamic Republic would never abandon its nuclear activities.
• Iran Press News reported that threats made on U.S. forces in Iraq if there is any attempt on the part of the U.S. against the Islamic regime.
• Iran Press News reported that under mounting international pressure, the authorities of the Iranian regime are expressing great anxiety.
• Adnkronos International reported that the governor of the Iranian central bank, confirmed reports that Tehran is considering shifting funds deposited in European banks to financial institutions in Asia.

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

• Frederick W. Stakelbeck, FrontPageMagazine.com examined the threat of a nuclear Iran and its growing alliance with Cuba. A new Cuban missile crisis is coming.
• Iran Press News reported that more than 780,000 single mothers are receiving government assistance and 1.5 million people are waiting for financial aide.
• Iran Press News reported that the Islamic regime sentenced a German hostage to 18 months in prison.
• Iran Press News reported that director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that trade between the two countries has exceeded $10 billion.
• And finally, Cliff May, The Corner reminded us that some who claim to speak for the Iranian people in Washington are in reality defending the Iranian regime.