Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 2.8.2005:

Iran's Supreme Leader Tries to Incite Violence.

• Adnkronos International reported that Iran's supreme leader has given his blessing to violent demonstrations targeting Denmark's embassy in Tehran, defining them as "justified and even holy."
• Iran Press News reported that the Supreme Leader's newspaper called for taking the IAEA inspectors hostage and prosecuting them for espionage.

Then the regime complains when Iranian agents in Iraq are arrested.

• Iran Press News reported that the Iranian Regime expressed anxiety over the continued arrests and incarceration of its minions in Iraq.

UN Security Council to Curb Iran's Nuclear Program?

Some offer new guarantees.

• RIA Novosti reported that Russia's foreign minister would guarantee the return of uranium to Iran after its enrichment.

Some offer new revelations.

• The New York Post reported on Iran's secret lab, where as many as 11 projects related to weapons research are under way.

Some are in denial.

• Reuters reported that diplomats said that Iran's order that U.N. nuclear surveillance gear be removed from key sites by mid-February may prevent U.N. inspectors from discovering whether Tehran's atomic drive has wholly peaceful aims.
  

Some warn.

• ePolitix reported that prime minister Tony Blair said Iran would be making a "very serious mistake" by pressing ahead with its nuclear activity.
• Reuters reported that Vice President Dick Cheney said the nuclear standoff with Iran was a dangerous situation.

Some offer new ideas.

• Rebecca Hagelin, Townhall.com argued that the west has “one ace left to play before a final showdown looms,” we should extend NATO membership to Israel.

Some are skeptical.

• Shmuel Rosner, Slate argued that while everybody talks about the "pressure" Iran is under, the real strain is on the international community.

Others have given up.

• Caroline Glick, The Jerusalem Post argued that the IAEA's resolution has simply boxed the US into a policy that has no chance of succeeding.

Tehran Bus Strike Update.

• Iran Press News reported that Hasan Mohammadi, an activist member of the Bus drivers union was arrested at midnight on Monday, after contacting international media about the strike.

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

• Iran Press News reported that general manager of security and guardianship of Isfahan's Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) nuclear complex discussed its nuclear enrichment program.
• Iran Press News reported that Ahmadinejad's special inspector chastises Minster of Culture and Islamic Guidance over certain films that were chosen and permitted to be screened at this years Fajr Film Festival.
• Iran Press News reported that two weeks ago the regime had begun exporting gas to Georgia, for only one week.
• Mehran Riazaty reported that Iran's Interior Minister Security Deputy, Brigadier General Zolghadr said: "Americans tried to establish a dependent regime in Iraq and increase their pressure on Iran, but their policies in Iraq were failed and today, Iran's friends in Iraq seized the power."
• CNNMoney.com reported that oil could shoot to more than $130 a barrel, if Iranian oil stops flowing.
• John Rosenthal, TCS Daily reported that when Chirac gave his much-trumpeted speech on French nuclear deterrence, his warning was not just to Iran, but also a "warning a signal to the US."
• Eli Lake, The New York Sun reported that the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is studying 12 hours of audio recordings between Saddam Hussein and his top advisers that may provide clues to the whereabouts of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
• And finally, Per Ahlmark, The Wall Street Journal nominated Ken Timmerman and John Bolton for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.