Saturday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 2.4.2005:

Last Minute Attempts to Stall Iran's Referral to the UNSC.

• Xinhuanet reported that Javad Vaeidi, deputy head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council warned that reporting the Iran's nuclear issue to the UNSC would mean the killing of Russia's proposal on uranium enrichment.
• The New York Times reported that the 35-nation board of the IAEA delayed a vote on a landmark resolution on Iran's nuclear program due to opposition to a clause indirectly criticizing Israel's nuclear weapons status.
• The Financial Times reported that Rafsanjani made a last minute appeal to the board of the IAEA not to refer Iran to the UN security council saying: “I know this nation, its history and the region - and I advise them not to make such a mistake.”
• The Economist reported that if diplomacy is ever safely to defuse Iran's nuclear ambitions, this week's rare display of unity could prove the turning point.
• Omid Memarian, Rooz Online argued that the Iranian regime has made numerous mistakes on its nuclear program and that the ball doesn't seem to be in Iran's field anymore.
• Mehran Riazaty reported that Rafsanjani warned that "perhaps, you (west) could cause some troubles for us, but we will also reciprocate for that and we will cause you troubles in return."

Military Action More Likely?

• Middle East Newsline reported that Iran ordered the redeployment of its Shihab-3 intermediate-range missile force, concerned over an Israeli or U.S. attack.
• National Post reported that Israel and Washington already have war plans in place for Iran.

More Support for Tehran Strikers.

• Human Rights Watch joined others in calling for Iran to release the Tehran Bus workers arrested for their strike.
• People's Weekly World Newspaper reported that Iranian police brutally attacked activists of the Tehran and Suburbs Public Transport Trade Union and nearly 1,200 trade union activists and strikers were arrested.

Call for Tenfold Increase in US Aid to Support Democratic Change in Iran.

• United Press International reported that a Senator Brownback called for a tenfold increase in U.S. aid to support democratic change and human rights inside Iran. Bloggers can help here.
  

More Analysis.

• The Wall Street Journal examined the question: So why is the White House so committed to the vagaries of diplomacy with Iran?
• Michael Eisenstadt, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy published his recent testimony before congress on how to deter and contain Iran.
  

Wishful Thinking.

• The Wall Street Journal reported the West is hoping for negotiations that would avoid "humiliating" Iran and that rarely has there been such a determined effort to put a positive spin on a depressing reality.
• The Wall Street Journal illustrated some of the wishful thinking in the west, noting former Times of London editor Simon Jenkins said: "How can we say such a country[Iran] has 'no right' to nuclear defense?" In other words, what's the big deal?

More Repression in Iran.

• Adnkronos International reported that Iranian officials in Isfahan announced that women state employees who fail to wear the Islamic hijab or head scarf face 74 lashes according to Islamic law.
• SMCCDI reported that several assisted women were beaten up, yesterday, by the Islamic regime's security agents when forced from their home.
• SMCCDI reported that two more Iranians were executed, yesterday.
  

The Other Iranian Weapon.

• Jerome Corsi, WorldNetDaily.com asked: Will Iran's 'Petroeuro' Threat Lead to War?

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

• BBC News reported that Iran is the country most widely viewed as having a negative influence in the world.
• CNN News reported that German prosecutors charged two Germans with spying and delivering weapons technology to Iran.
• Rooz Online examined the influence of the late Ahmad Fardid in forming the ideology of Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi.
• Rooz Online reported that Iran’s budget has unexpectedly received a 50% increase, a radical change that economic experts describe as “disastrous”.
• And finally, Cox & Forkum published a cartoon: Idle Worship.