Thursday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 2.16.2006:

US Moves to Aggressively Support Pro-Democracy Forces inside of Iran.

• Yahoo News reported that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: The US administration will ask Congress for another 75 million dollars to boost democracy in Iran amid growing concern over Tehran's nuclear program.
• The Financial Times reported that the Bush administration announced a significant toughening of its policy towards Iran, but did not specifically use the words “regime change”.
• The State Department then published a Fact Sheet on how they plan to use the funds.

European's see Few Options with Iran.

• Dow Jones Newswires reported that while the E.U. told Iran it wants to normalize relations, it reiterated Tehran's nuclear ambitions and shaky human rights record were making that impossible.
• Times reported that the leader of Britain's Tories said: attacks on Iran must remain an option.
  

World Labor Unions March in Support of the Tehran Bus Strikers.

• The Washington Post reported that labor unions in 18 capitals, including Washington, were taking part in demonstrations outside Iranian embassies and interest sections to protest the coercive treatment of bus drivers in Tehran.

Special Reports on the Attack of Sufi's in Iran.

• Loes Bijnen, The Hague provided a Special Report from on the attack of the Sufi's in Iran.
• Reuters reported that Iranian police have arrested around 1,000 people in the central seminary city of Qom after violent clashes over the closure of a house of worship used by mystical Sufi Muslims, adding that 200 people were hurt.
• Rooz Online reported that a peaceful three-day sit-in of Nematollahi dervishes (Sufi's) in the religious city of Qom turned violent as police and plain-clothes forces arrested, rounded up and injured tens of the dervishes.
• Iran Press News provided an excellent report on the attack on the Sufi's.
• Iran Press News added that the regime alleged that "every one of the 500 arrested were armed with guns and knives and were dangerous." But the Sufi's are well known for their peaceful and non-violent ways.
• Iran Press News added that the Islamic regimes bulldozers destroyed the Sufi house of worship.
  

Evidence that the Iranian Regime Aided in the Attacks on the Embassies in Iran.

• Rooz Online reported that hardline bloggers in Iran claimed that Baseej Embassy attackers confessed that its leadership aided in the planning of the attacks.

The Islamic regime threatens to execute all political prisoners.

• Iran Press News reported that Mohammad Djaroui, warden of ward 6 of Gowhardasht prison; said: ‘In the case of the regimes referral to the Security Council each and every one of you will be put to death.’
  

Does Anyone Trust Russia?

• Yahoo News reported that U.S. senator Brownback said Russia and China have too much riding on commercial relations with Iran to help the West in curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
• Iran Press News reported that an MP of the Islamic regime said: "The Russians are just as scary as the rest of the west & even the U.S."
• Xinhuanet reported Iran officially notified Russia of plans to send a delegation to Moscow on Monday, February 20th, for nuclear talks.
  

Israel: Iran Must Be Stopped.

• Scotsman reported that acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Iran's president is obsessed with hatred of the Jews and must be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons.
• The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran poses a "central threat" to the Jewish state, adding that "Iran's plan is to engulf or destroy Israel in three ways."
  

Iran's Military Fears a US Attack.

• Iran Press News reported on the widespread fear and distress among the Islamic regimes armed forces at the likelihood of a military strike.
  

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

• The Guardian reported that Iran demands an apology over a German cartoon.
• The Christian Science Monitor reported that once Iran masters the difficult technique of uranium enrichment, a nuclear bomb is not far away.
• The New Press reported that Ahmadinejad visited the Natanz uranium enrichment plant Wednesday, widely seen as a gesture of support and a morale boost for scientists involved.
• Reuters reported that Iran is open to helping Venezuela develop nuclear technology.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that Saudi Arabia is in sensitive talks with Iran.
• Kamangir, Archer reported on another victim of the regime commits suicide[?]: Elham Afrootan.
• And finally, The International Women's Day in Tehran ask people to join them in a peaceful march - March 8th. See poster.