Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 1.4.2005:

Secret services say Iran is trying to assemble a nuclear missile

Ian Cobain and Ian Traynor, The Guardian: A document seen by the Guardian details web of front companies and middlemen

The Iranian government has been successfully scouring Europe for the sophisticated equipment needed to develop a nuclear bomb, according to the latest western intelligence assessment of the country's weapons programs.

Scientists in Tehran are also shopping for parts for a ballistic missile capable of reaching Europe, with "import requests and acquisitions ... registered almost daily", the report seen by the Guardian concludes. READ MORE

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

• Iran Press News published an update on Akbar Ganji. A letter from his wife.
• Iran Focus reported that Iran’s former President Rafsanjani warned Arab states of the Persian Gulf to “stay away from contentious issues that will only provide the Big Powers with opportunities for mischief-making.”
• CNN reported that several U.S. agents in Iran were rounded up after the CIA mistakenly revealed clues to their identities to a covert source who turned out to be a double agent.
• Iran Mania reported that Iran is preparing to buy Chinese aircraft to equip its air fleet.
• Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor reported on Iran's Bright Future News agency where you can learn all the latest developments regarding the 12th Imam, the Shia savior many expect to conquer the world.
• Channel NewsAsia reported that Ahmadinejad said that Iran would not "step back" on its decision to resume nuclear fuel work.
• Xinhua reported that France urged Iran to maintain its suspension over nuclear activities.
• Reuters reported that the United States on Tuesday warned Iran against resuming atomic fuel research.
• James S. Robbins, National Review Online warned us that when faced with a state pursuing an aggressive plan to achieve regional hegemony, the worst move is to seek to institutionalize the status quo.
• Marzeporgohar published a profile on Behrouz Javid Tehrani, a story of a political prisoner.
• BBC News reported that Pakistan is working with Tehran to help locate nine Iranian border guards who have reportedly been abducted.
• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that Iran's Supreme Leader said: Iran should regain its ancient status as 'mother of science.'
• Joseph Loconte, The Daily Standard published a valuable review of Fascism, Islamism, and Anti-Semitism. Well referenced.
• Amir Taheri, New York Post countered the mainstream media's pessimism by reminding us of what the world won in 2005.
• Malaysia Star reported that Ahmadinejad told lawmakers the foreign policy of detente adopted by his two predecessors had achieved little and reduced Iran's standing in the Islamic world.
• Dunya Online reported that British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will visit Turkey later this month and Iran will be on the agenda.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that Israeli military chief Dan Halutz Tuesday said Iran's nuclear program "can be destroyed."
• Forbes.com reported that Kuwait plans to start exploration for natural gas in what it calls 'undisputed' parts of the offshore Dorra field.
• Reuters reported that Iran announced on Tuesday a long-awaited shake-up at its key Oil Ministry.
• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that a member of the Majlis said that Ahmadinejad had assessed as "positive" the global reactions to his remark on Holocaust.
• Reuters reported that Iran said it would resume nuclear fuel research.
• The Independent reported that a series of computer-animated adverts is reviving the image of Iran's police force and have acquired a cult following.
• And finally, Iranian Student News Agency published photos of today's protest by the students.