Saturday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 2.18.2006:

Russian/Iranian "Last Chance" Talks, Monday.

• Inter Press Service reported what to expect from the meeting between the Iranian and Russian governments in Moscow which may be the last chance for diplomacy before international sanctions.
• FOX News reported that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said the talks will be difficult and their outcome impossible to predict.
• Iran Press News translated a Le Monde report that "While Moscow says it is making an attempt to get the regime in Tehran to accept Russia's proposal for the enrichment of Uranium on Russian soil, Russian arms companies are involved in transaction and sales of arms to the Islamic regime."

US Steps Up Pressure on Iran.

• BBC News reported that US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice accused Tehran of being the central banker for terrorism around the world.
• Reuters reported that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged reluctant Arab nations to threaten to isolate Iran unless it bows to international pressure on the nuclear issue.

Germany now believes Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons.

• Expatica reported that German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the German government suspected Iran was seeking to build nuclear weapons.
• CNN News reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss Iran.

Serious Analysis of the Iranian Regime.

• Michael Ledeen, National Review Online reported on how the leaders of the Iranian regime see the West’s strength and resolve and why they appear so confident. A must read.
• Mahan Abedin, Asia Times examined a key question, whether Ahmadinejad and his inner circle believe that military confrontation serves their long-term political and socio-economic agenda.
• Radio Free Europe reported on an interview with Dr Mohsen Sazegara who argued that Iran's return to revolutionary values is temporary.
• Ha'aretz reported that while the Iranian government appears confident, all is not well with the regime.
• The Jerusalem Post reported that the Iranian threat to the international financial sector is finally getting the world's attention.

The Iranian Regime Stays on the Offensive.

• Reuters reported that Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said: "They (the West) are trying to terrify us with a scarecrow called the Security Council. We are not scared ... They will be harmed more than Iran if they act unwisely."
• Iran Press News reported that the Islamic regime is assisting Venezuela with its allegedly peaceful nuclear technology.
• The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran is trying to conclude a major deal with China before potential sanctions are imposed by the UNSC.

Iran calls for Britain to remove its troops.

• Reuters reported that Iran's foreign minister called on Britain to pull its troops out of the southern Iraqi city of Basra.
• SundayTimes.za reported that British Prime Minister Tony Blair dismissed the Iranian demand as a tactic to try to divert attention from concerns over Tehran's nuclear program.

Increasing Violence Against Iranians Dissidents, Journalists and Professors.

• Radio Free Europe reported that Iranian opposition figure Hojat Zamani has been executed.
• Reporters Without Borders expressed concern over reports that imprisoned journalist Elham Afrotan was in a coma after a suicide attempt.
• Iran Press News also reported on Ehlam Afroutan adding that the regime's interrogators tortured and gang-raped her before she slipped into a coma and is said to have died.
• Iran Press News reported on the firing and flogging of Iranian University Professors.

Tehran Bus Strikers Update.

• Iran Press News reported that several of the detained bus driver’s union members were released on bail but warned against giving any interviews.
• Iran Press News reported that the new general manager of the Greater Tehran bus drivers company is offering new promises to the Tehran Bus Drivers.

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

• The Wall Street Journal argued that while the $85 million the US plans to devote to democracy promotion in Iran is not enough, it is a positive step.
• Chicago Sun Times reported that as a result of the uproar over the Danish cartoons, when Iranians, who love Danish pastries, look for the flaky dessert at the bakery they now have to ask for ''Roses of the Prophet Muhammad.''
• And finally, Victor Davis Hanson, National Review Online gave six good reasons why Iran should not have nuclear weapons.