Week in Review

DoctorZin provides a review of this past week's [1/30/06 -2/05/06] major news events regarding Iran. (The reports are listed in chronological order, not by importance) READ MORE

Iran's Nuclear Program - The IAEA Reports Iran to the UN Security Council.

• The Telegraph reported that Iran has formed a top secret team of nuclear specialists to infiltrate the IAEA to obtain information on the work of IAEA inspectors.
• Michael Sheridan, The Times reported that North Korea is negotiating to sell the Iranians plutonium.
• EUbusiness reported that now Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi is saying: "The Russian proposal is a good package."
• The New York Times reported that Iran has finally given inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency access to the razed military site at Lavisan.
• Reuters reported that Iran insisted the only solution to its nuclear dispute with the West was negotiations.
• Reuters reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that "Iran threatens not only the Jewish state but the entire democratic world."
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that IAEA Chief ElBaradei met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and earlier with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and then commented that his session with Straw was "very good."
• Reuters reported that a panel on Iran at the Davos forum identified three options: diplomacy, Iraq-style "regime change", and doing nothing and hoping for the best.
• Shervin Omidvar, Rooz Online reported that last week, after Rafsanjani attended the “decisive meeting” on the nuclear issue, he immediately went to Qom and held private meetings with each grand ayatollah.
• Reuters reported that the permanent five members of the U.N. Security Council agreed on Tuesday that this week's meeting of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog should report Iran to the Council.
• Reuters reported that Iran presented no major new proposals at talks with European Union countries on Monday.
• Reuters reported that the European Union called on the U.N. Security Council to step into the nuclear dispute with Iran.
• Jenny Davey in Davos, The Times reported that Bill Clinton called for America to forge closer links with Iran, saying that talks had to allow Tehran to "preserve a sense of national dignity."
• Washington Post reported that Seven in 10 Americans would support international economic sanctions as a way to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
• Middle East Newsline reported that Mansoor Ijaz, a U.S. nuclear scientist, said Tehran obtained an atomic bomb about a decade ago from the nuclear black market.
• The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel intelligence notable, Rafi Eitan, suspects that Iran already has enough enriched uranium fissionable material to manufacture at least one or two atom bombs.
• Jonathan Gurwitz, San Antonio Express-News reminds us that occasionally, madmen make good on their threats.
• Yahoo News reported that Iran's leading nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani said: "Reporting Iran's dossier to the U.N. Security Council will be unconstructive and the end of diplomacy."
• Reuters reported that the IAEA confirmed that Iran had begun preparing for nuclear enrichment.
• Reuters reported that Iran threatened to halt snap U.N. inspections of its nuclear sites and resume uranium enrichment, if it was reported to the U.N. Security Council.
• Reuters reported that British Prime Minister Tony Blair said world powers had sent a strong signal to Iran by agreeing to involve the U.N. Security Council.
• Debka Files reported that Russian FM Sergei Lavrov told the five permanent UN Security Council members that Russia believe Iran is now capable of carrying out its first nuclear test.
• Andrei Piontkovsky, The Jerusalem Post predicts that in the beginning of March Iran will "reluctantly" agree to Putin's proposal for Iranian uranium enrichment on Russian territory. The world will sigh relief but the nuclear danger from Iran will loom larger than ever.
• The New York Times reported that the IAEA says it has evidence that suggests links between Iran's ostensibly peaceful nuclear program and its military work on high explosives and missiles.
• The Wall Street Journal published a copy of the text of European Draft IAEA Resolution on Iran.
• The Associated Press reported that the United States is compromising on hard-line positions regarding Iran and Hamas.
• And finally, The Christian Science Monitor reported that Turkey, caught in the fray: enters a debate on Iran's nuclear program.
• CNN News reported that just hours ahead of an emergency meeting of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, a U.S. official said a "troubling" briefing in Vienna has revealed new information that Iran might be pursuing atomic weapons.
• The Guardian reported that Iran's foreign minister threatened immediate retaliation over a move to refer its nuclear weapons activities to the UNSC.
• Yahoo News reported that Gregory L. Schulte, the chief U.S. delegate to the IAEA said: "There's a solid majority in favor of reporting," Iran to the U.N. Security Council.
• Kenneth R. Timmerman, FrontPageMagazine.com reported that three individuals and two pieces of information have been key to the refreshing burst of realism we are finally beginning to see from the IAEA board of governors.
• Voice of America reported that the U.S. National Director of Intelligence, John Negroponte, said: "We judge that Tehran probably does not have a nuclear weapon and probably has not yet produced or acquired the necessary fissile material."
  
• Investor's Business Daily reported that the bad news is North Korea may try to supply Iran with plutonium for atomic weapons. The good news is Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is already acting against it.
• Xinhuanet reported that Javad Vaeidi, deputy head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council warned that reporting the Iran's nuclear issue to the UNSC would mean the killing of Russia's proposal on uranium enrichment.
• The New York Times reported that the 35-nation board of the IAEA delayed a vote on a landmark resolution on Iran's nuclear program due to opposition to a clause indirectly criticizing Israel's nuclear weapons status.
• The Financial Times reported that Rafsanjani made a last minute appeal to the board of the IAEA not to refer Iran to the UN security council saying: “I know this nation, its history and the region - and I advise them not to make such a mistake.”
• The Economist reported that if diplomacy is ever safely to defuse Iran's nuclear ambitions, this week's rare display of unity could prove the turning point.
• Omid Memarian, Rooz Online argued that the Iranian regime has made numerous mistakes on its nuclear program and that the ball doesn't seem to be in Iran's field anymore.
• Mehran Riazaty reported that Rafsanjani warned that "perhaps, you (west) could cause some troubles for us, but we will also reciprocate for that and we will cause you troubles in return."
• The Wall Street Journal reported the West is hoping for negotiations that would avoid "humiliating" Iran and that rarely has there been such a determined effort to put a positive spin on a depressing reality.
• The Wall Street Journal illustrated some of the wishful thinking in the west, noting former Times of London editor Simon Jenkins said: "How can we say such a country[Iran] has 'no right' to nuclear defense?" In other words, what's the big deal?
• Telegraph reported that the IAEA board of governors has voted 27 to three to report Iran to the UN Security Council.
• The IAEA published the text of the resolution.
• Guardian reported that a senior Iranian official said a proposal to enrich Iranian uranium in Russia is dead.
• Reuters reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issued an order to Iran's Atomic Energy Organization to restart full-scale uranium enrichment, according to his website. However the Iranian presidential office denies the report.
• The Guardian reported that President Bush said Saturday's vote to send Iran's nuclear case before the U.N. Security Council sends a clear message and that "the regime's continued defiance only further isolates Iran from the rest of the world and undermines the Iranian people's aspirations for a better life.''
• The New York Times reported that Donald H. Rumsfeld urged the world to work for a ''diplomatic solution'' to halt Iran's nuclear program, but cut out of his statement an important reference to the Iranian people.
• Reuters reported that U.S. Senator John McCain urged the world to impose economic and other sanctions on Iran, bypassing the United Nations if needed.
• Reuters reported that Richard Perle said on Saturday the West should not make the mistake of waiting too long to use military force if Iran comes close to getting an atomic weapon.
• Hindustan Times reported that the Chinese ambassador to the UN said China would never support sanctions against Iran as a "matter of principle."
• Times Online reported that German chancellor, Angela Merkel, compared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran to Adolf Hitler.
  

Tehran Bus Strike - The start of something big?

• Rooz Online reported that between 300 to 400 striking bus drivers and their families were arrested in Tehran, with little or no media coverage.
• No Sweat reported that thousands of the striking workers were beaten up by security forces but that in solidarity with the strikers, many residents of Tehran refused to board the buses.
• SMCCDI reported that hundreds of "Tehran's Collective Bus Company" (TCBC) drivers, technicians and workers will stay home, this upcoming Friday, in order to protest.
• USInfo.State.gov released a statement that the US government expressed support for Iranian workers and their right to protest for better working conditions. The statement specifically mentions bus drivers in Iran.
• SMCCDI reported on the US Government Statement on the Tehran Bus Strike.
• Libcom.org provided an update on the Tehran bus workers strike.
• Eli Lake, The New York Sun reported that the strike of Tehran Bus drivers has the potential for Iran's various opposition factors to present a sustained and unified front, then a strategy to support them in the interest of regime change could become a more attractive policy option for the West.
• International Confederation of Free Trade Unions reported that Iranian authorities have again targeted trade unionists at Sherkate Vahed, Teheran’s bus company and the government is determined not to let the press cover this news.
• Amnesty International called on the Iranian authorities to release immediately hundreds of Tehran bus workers, reminding us that Iran is bound by international law to permit unions.
• SMCCDI reported that tens more of employees of the "Tehran's Collective Bus Company" (TCBC) have been arrested, in the last two nights.
• Human Rights Watch joined others in calling for Iran to release the Tehran Bus workers arrested for their strike.
• People's Weekly World Newspaper reported that Iranian police brutally attacked activists of the Tehran and Suburbs Public Transport Trade Union and nearly 1,200 trade union activists and strikers were arrested.
  

Ahmadinejad - On the Offensive.

• The Times of India reported that Iran called on British Prime Minister Tony Blair to attend its scheduled Holocaust conference in Tehran.
• Ha'aretz reported that Iran accused the "Zionist regime" of "routinely attempting to exploit the suffering of the Jewish people.
• The New York Times reported that while Ahmadinejad has been the subject of many jokes across Iran, he is consolidating his power and he has threatened to wipe not just Israel off the map, but America, too.
• Mehran Riazaty reported on the threats by Iran's terrorist allies' plans to create another Vietnam for the US in the Middle East.
• Yahoo News reported that Ahmadinejad called George W. Bush a warmonger who should be dragged before a "people's tribunal" and "God willing, in the near future we will judge you in a people's tribunal."
• Reuters reported that Ahmadinejad on Wednesday angrily rejected international pressure on Iran saying: "I am telling those fake superpowers that the Iranian nation became independent 27 years ago and ... on the nuclear case it will resist until fully achieving its rights."
  

Ahmadinejad's Worldview.

• Hamed Irani, Rooz Online reported that the radical Baseej forces in Iran believe the return of the absent Imam (12th Shiite Imam) is imminent.
• Rooz Online examined the influence of the late Ahmad Fardid in forming the ideology of Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi.
  

Rumors of War.

• Michael Karpin, The American Enterprise Online examined the question: Will Israel Blast the Iranian Bomb?
• Reuters reported that President Bush, when asked if he meant the United States would rise to Israel's defense militarily, said: "You bet, we'll defend Israel."
• Middle East Newsline reported that Iran ordered the redeployment of its Shihab-3 intermediate-range missile force, concerned over an Israeli or U.S. attack.
• National Post reported that Israel and Washington already have war plans in place for Iran.
  

More Calls for an Internal Regime Change in Iran.

• Robert Kagan, The Washington Post argued that the US needs to reorient of strategy towards Iran by start supporting liberal and democratic change there.
• Mansoor Ijaz, National Review Online argued that nothing will change the mindset and determination of a regime intent on holding the world hostage to its nuclear blackmail and that regime change is the only solution.
• Financial Times reported that the direct appeal by President George W. Bush to the Iranian people to “win your own freedom” was a barely disguised call for regime change in Iran.
• SMCCDI reported that Iranians are welcoming President George W. Bush's State of Union Speech many asking for the e-mail listing or fax and phone numbers of the White House.
• United Press International reported that a Senator Brownback called for a tenfold increase in U.S. aid to support democratic change and human rights inside Iran. Bloggers can help here.
  

Iranian Oil a Weapon?

• The Financial Times reported that Iran’s oil minister said Tehran would not halt its oil exports because of growing tensions over its nuclear program.

The Other Iranian Threat to the US.

• The Daily Times reported that Iran proposes to set up by March 2006 an “oil/energy bourse” for trading based on the euro which represents a grave threat to the United States.
• Jerome Corsi, WorldNetDaily.com asked: Will Iran's 'Petroeuro' Threat Lead to War?
  

International Business Responds.

• The Wall Street Journal reported that some of the world's largest finance and energy companies are severing ties with Iran.
  

The Unrest inside of Iran.

• IranMania reported that a group of Iranian soldiers kidnapped near the border with Pakistan nearly two months ago was freed.
• ExpressIndia reported that Iran had detained dozens of suspects in two bombings that killed at least nine people in the southwestern city of Ahvaz last week.
• SMCCDI reported clashes rocked a suburb of the western City of Sannandaj.
  

Human Rights/Religious and Press Freedom inside of Iran.

• SMCCDI reported that a man accused of "murder" was executed, but was arrested following the clashes between protesters and Islamic regime's security forces.
• Adnkronos International reported that Iranian officials in Isfahan announced that women state employees who fail to wear the Islamic hijab or head scarf face 74 lashes according to Islamic law.
• SMCCDI reported that several assisted women were beaten up, yesterday, by the Islamic regime's security agents when forced from their home.
• SMCCDI reported that two more Iranians were executed, yesterday.
  

The Iranian Economy.

• Reuters reported that India has replaced its pro-Iranian oil minister with Murli Deora known to have "deep contacts" in the US Senate and business circles. The Iran gas pipeline now appears dead.
• Rooz Online reported that Iran’s budget has unexpectedly received a 50% increase, a radical change that economic experts describe as “disastrous”.
• Reuters reported that Iran will press on with a contentious gas pipeline to Pakistan even if India does not meet a May deadline to join the project.
  

Iran's Military.

• The Australian reported that Iran secretly tested a new surface-to-surface missile and it was successful.
  

Iran and the International community.

• Voice of America reported that Afghan officials say militants from Iran and Iraq are now joining the insurgency in Afghanistan.
• BBC News reported that Iran is the country most widely viewed as having a negative influence in the world.
• CNN News reported that German prosecutors charged two Germans with spying and delivering weapons technology to Iran.
  

Can you believe this?

• Deutsche Welle Online reported that despite claims that Ahmadinejad lives in an apartment, they claim he lives now lives almost exactly in the same spot cleared by his predecessor, in North Tehran.
• Dr Etebar reported that the BBC Persian website censored President Bush’s state of the union speech and his message to the Iranians!
  

Insight into the Iranian People.

• Ebrahim Nabavi, Rooz Online published the Iranian satirist latest: If Ahmadinejad Ruled the World.
  

US Policy on Iran.

• The White House published the text of President Bush's State of the Union Address. We highlighted relevant comments on Iran.
• Reuters reported that President Bush, when asked if he meant the United States would rise to Israel's defense militarily, said: "You bet, we'll defend Israel."
  

Must Read reports.

• Bijan Kian, United Press International argued that in the art of diplomacy Iran is out maneuvering the West.
• Alan Peters, Anti-Mullah considered the question: Can The USA Avoid Attacking Iran? Can We Attack Successfully?
• William R. Hawkins, National Review Online examined China's role as protector of the two remaining "axis of evil" regimes.
• Arnaud De Borchgrave, United Press International examined the ideology behind Iran's President and his belief that the world will end in two years.
• The Wall Street Journal examined the question: So why is the White House so committed to the vagaries of diplomacy with Iran?
  

The Experts.

• Michael Ledeen, National Review Online examined the hard reality that universally, people often freely choose tyranny.
• Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, FrontPageMagazine reported that HAMAS’ triumph is an important springboard towards the establishment of the Caliphate ­– a global Islamic state.
• Ilan Berman, The American Foreign Policy Council published his testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services in which he examined six trends the United States can expect to confront from Iran in the near future.
• Michael Ledeen, National Review Online responded to a Washington Post article by Karl Vick, calling it "a fawning puff piece" in defense of Ahmadinejad.
• Michael Eisenstadt, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy published his recent testimony before congress on how to deter and contain Iran.
  

Photos, cartoons and videos.

• Eyeranian.net published: I want you to attack Iran!
• Cox & Forkum published a cartoon: Idle Worship.
• The American Enterprise Institute hosted a panel discussion with Sen Brownback, Pat Clawson, Stephen G. Rademaker, George Perkovich and Danielle Pletka: Next Steps: The Iranian Threat. See the video.
  

And finally, The Quote of the Week.

Paul Hughes and Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad angrily rejected international pressure on Iran, saying:

"Those whose arms are stained up to the elbow with the blood of other nations are now accusing us of violating human rights and freedoms. God willing, we shall drag you to trial."