Thursday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 2.23.2006:

Popular unrest in Iran likely to increase in March.

• Iran Press News reported that Tehran university students gathered to protest. The students were heard chanting: "Political prisoners must be released" and singing the song: NO, NO, NO which is the new anthem against the Islamic regime.
• The Women of Iran are asking for the international media to join them March 8th in Tehran, for the commemoration of: The International Women's Day in Tehran - to fight for our freedom.
• SMCCDI reported that on Tuesday March 14th, millions of Iranians will defy once again, the Islamic republic regime as they gather in an act of civil disobedience to celebrate the famous "Tchahr Shanbe Soori" (Fire Fiest).
  

The Dissidents.

• Iran Press News reported that dissident Akbar Ganji's wife said the regime is trying to keep him off of the public's mind. (Ganji prison sentence is supposed to be completed in less than a month).
• Iran Press News produced a petition asking for the Iranian regime to spare the life of political prisoner Saeed Masouri.

Still more on the Sufi attack in Qom.

• Ken Timmerman, The Foundation for Democracy in Iran reported that following the violent raid and destruction of the Sufi hosseiniyeh in Qom last week, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri and former Majles speaker Mehdi Karrubi condemned the regime for the attack and called for an apology and compensation to the Sufi community.
• The Financial Times also reported that the Ahmadi-Nejad supporters alleged the Sufis’ building had contained a sound system, satellite communications systems, 2,000 litres of petrol, open and unopened bottles of alcohol, and drugs. Rooz Online disputes this.

Ahmadinejad battles the Parliament.

• Reuters reported that Iran's parliament slashed the budget for importing gasoline. Iran currently buys in more than 40 percent of the gasoline they use.
• Radio Free Europe is reporting that the Iranian parliament is now questioning Ahmadinejad's choice of provincial governors.
• Rooz Online reported that the hard-line media in Iran has launched a war on the managers of Iranian business enterprises.

Iran stalling to avoid sanctions.

• FOX News reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin said of the Iranians: "The talks are not going easily but we are counting on reaching a positive result."
• The Washington Post reported that Iran's delay on an enrichment deal is seen as a bid to avoid sanctions.

Iran claims it will not use oil as a weapon.

• IranMania reported that Iran will not reduce its oil exports to use as a weapon in its nuclear row with the West.

Iran to Fund Hamas led government.

• Adnkronos International reported that Iran has pledged its "full financial and political support" for the Hamas dominated Palestinian Authority.
• Reuters reported that Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said about Hamas: "We will definitely provide financial aid to this government so that they can stand up against the oppression of America."

A few petitions.

• Iran Press News reported that the European Jewish Congress is organizing a petition calling for the Iranian President to be made “Persona non grata ad personam,” within European territory.
• Iran Press News produced a petition asking for the Iranian regime to spare the life of political prisioner Saeed Masouri.
• Dr. Etebar, Iranian.ws responded to a petition against a war in Iran, with one of his own.

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

• Iran Press News reported on the recent suicides of Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
• And finally, Lionel Beehner, The Council on Foreign Relations examined Condoleezza Rice's new strategy on Iran.