Sunday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 2.19.2006:

ElBaradei Tries to Undo Western Unity on Iran?

• Xinhuanet reported that Mohammed ElBaradei suggested a compromise on the Iranian nuclear issue, allowing Iran to conduct small-scale enrichment work. The Iranians welcomed this idea.

Western Nations Hold Firm on Iran.

• Reuters reported that U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said: Delaying action against Iran's suspected nuclear capabilities allows Tehran to increase its uranium enrichment knowledge and step up threats of withholding oil.
• Asharq Alawsat reported that French President Jacques Chirac said France's position on Iran's nuclear program has not changed following the comments by his foreign minister this week that Iran's program was a cover for secret military activity.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that recently several German companies are under investigation for alleged involvement in Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Iran's Nuclear Fatwa, revised?

• The Telegraph reported that Iran's hard-line spiritual leaders have issued an unprecedented new fatwa, or holy order, sanctioning the use of atomic weapons against its enemies.

Hamas Leaders To Arrive in Tehran, Monday. Seeking $?

• Iran Focus reported that a senior delegation from the radical Palestinian group Hamas will travel to Tehran on Monday to meet and hold talks with senior Iranian officials.
• News Channel 15 reported that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran not to fund Hamas.

Responses to US Plans to Fund Pro-Democracy Efforts in Iran.

• CBS Broadcasting reported that while the US wants to fund Iranian pro-democracy efforts, the State Department acknowledged the difficulty of launching and supporting some of these programs, because the Iranian regime is very good at infiltrating them.
• Zaman Online reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Manucher Mouttaqi called the US administration’s earmarking of $75 million to finance opposition in Iran "a waste of money".
• NewsPress reported that Iran is seeking to use the media in Afghanistan to undermine US efforts there.

Iran Protects Al Qaeda.

• Dan Darling, The Weekly Standard published a must read review of the ties of Iran and Al Qaeda, based on the 9/11 Commission Report and major mainstream US and European sources.

Sabotage in Tehran?

• SMCCDI reported that a fire of an unknown origin destroyed parts of the Tehran's Oil Refinery and there are suspicions that it was the result of sabotage.

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

• DW-World.de reported that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks calling the Holocaust into question have disappointed Muslims in Germany who remind us that at Auschwitz, 200,000 Muslims were also murdered there.
• Evening Echo News reported that a gathering of Iranians who claim the are dedicated to becoming suicide bombers warned the United States and Britain today of attacks on coalition military bases in Iraq if there were a strike against Tehran’s nuclear facilities.
• Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat reported that Iran is seeking censorship in "The Name of Dialogue."