Week in Review

DoctorZin provides a review of this past week's [2/20/06 -2/26/06] 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 Financial Times reported that Iranian officials would begin talks on Monday in Brussels and Moscow on their country’s nuclear program.
• Reuters reported that a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said: "It is very important we repeat to Mr Mottaki the position of the EU on a range of issues -- nuclear, the Middle East peace process, democracy and human rights."
• IndyStar that French President Jacques Chirac, countered his own Foreign minister saying that only the U.N. nuclear watchdog could draw conclusions about the goal of Iran's nuclear program.
• Reuters reported that the world's nuclear watchdog chief, ElBaradei, warned there may be no choice but to accept limited uranium enrichment by Tehran.
• Sol Sanders, World Tribune.com found it ironic that at the moment Condoleezza Rice attempted to launch a intensified propaganda directed at Iran, she was largely ignored by US Senators and the American media obsessed with Cheney's gun accident.
• Iran Focus reported that a senior Iranian official said Ayatollah Rafsanjani has no say in the Islamic Republic’s nuclear policy.
• The Guardian reported that Iranian negotiators headed home after of an expected two day negotiation session in Moscow.
• The Financial Times reported that Tehran vowed to pursue nuclear research.
• Forbes reported that EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said talks with Iran's foreign minister failed to make progress.
• Adnkronos International Iran's foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki announced on Tuesday. "The phase of negotiations with the EU trio is over."
• ABC News reported that U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said the international coalition applying pressure on Iran to halt its uranium enrichment was working well.
• The Wall Street Journal warned that the West, it seems, is now putting its future security in the hands of Russia and China.
• Monster & Critics reported that anyone still believing Europe only believes in soft power should have witnessed the reception Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki received in Brussels Monday.
• Khaleej Times reported that German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he did not rule out economic sanctions against Iran.
• Times Online reported that Konstantin Kosachev, head of the Russian Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said: "Unfortunately, Iran so far has not shown sufficient good will."
• Malaysia Star reported that Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: "China hopes Iran will restore suspension of all activities relating to uranium enrichment."
• Rooz Online reported that there seems to be a change in Iran’s approach and strategy to the nuclear issue and talks.
• 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.
• USA Today reported that Iran has offered the IAEA information on a secret uranium processing project that U.S. intelligence has linked to high explosives and warhead design.
• IranMania reported that the United States accused Iran of engaging in double talk over its controversial nuclear program with deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli saying: "There are a lot of statements made by different Iranian officials every day that seem to contradict one another."
• Yahoo News reported that former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer called on the United States to join now-sidelined European negotiations.
• The San Francisco Chronicle reported the Bush administration rejected the suggestion by former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer that the United States join now-sidelined European negotiations.
• Reuters reported that a Chinese vice minister will fly to Tehran to discuss ways of defusing the international crisis.
• Reuters reported that leaders from Russia and China traveled to Iran on Friday to persuade Iran to accept a compromise proposal over its nuclear program.
• Channel News Asia reported that Iran is now operating a 10-centrifuge cascade in a step forward in uranium enrichment; despite Western fears it is seeking atom bombs.
• The New York Times reported that Iran has started producing enriched uranium.
• The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia's top nuclear official expressed confidence Saturday that the IAEA still could resolve the international standoff.
• Xinhua reported that France called for a gesture by Iran ahead of the IAEA meeting, March 6th.
  

The Bombing of the Shiite Holy Site in Samarra.

• FOX News reported that Ahmadinejad blamed the United States and Israel for the destruction of a Shiite shrine's golden dome in Iraq.
• Iran Focus reported that the Supreme Commander of IRGC accused the United States, Britain, and Israel of carrying out Wednesday’s bomb attack.
• John Batchelor, The American Spectator Blog reported that the best signals source points to the Samarra mosque bombing in Iraq as the launch operation of the Iranian counteroffensive.
• Kamangir (Archer) argued that there are similarities between the attack on Samarra and an earlier attack on a holy site in Iran where one of the regime's intelligence officers confessed to attack but was seeking to blame that attack on opponents of the regime.
• Iran Focus reported that many Sunni groups believe that Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security may have been behind the bombing.
• Iran Press News reported that the Islamic regimes radio, IRIB, in an analysis, attested to planting bombs in holy Shiite areas in Iraq to create chaos and crisis.
• Chester, The Adventures of Chester argued that war with Iran may have already begun.
• Asia Times reported that after the attack several al-Qaeda members in Iran have been moved to safe houses run by Iranian intelligence near Tehran.
  

More on the Regime Attacks on Iran's Sufi's.

• Rooz Online reported that it was discovered that followers of Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi had occupied the Sufi temple and had turned it into a surveillance station to spy and eavesdrop on the grand ayatollahs of Qom, prior to the Sufi's temporary retaking of the temple.
• 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.
• ISN argued that the arrest of some 1,000 Sufi worshippers is due to an increasing popularity of Sufism in Iran.
  

Iranian Leaders On the Offensive.

• Iran Press News reported on the regime sponsored Hezbollah Congress to take place in Iran designed to investigate of the theory of the Holocaust.
• The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran's supreme leader called on Muslim nations to provide annual financial aid to a Hamas-led Palestinian government.
• Ha'aretz reported that Dr. Abasi, an Iranian advisor, warned that if the US launches an attack on Iran, the Islamic republic will retaliate with a military strike on Israel's main nuclear facility.
  

Power Struggle inside of Iran.

• 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 Press News reported that a member of 7th Majlis (Islamic Parliaments Assembly) confessed that influence peddlers have permeated the Islamic Parliaments Assembly.
  

The Iranian regime to launch a new economic threat to the world next month?

• Arab News reported March 20th is the opening day, that some believe, could shake the world economy, when Iran opens a new “bourse” (exchange) on which countries all over the world can buy and sell oil and gas not only for dollars but also for euros.
• IranMania reported that Iran will not reduce its oil exports to use as a weapon in its nuclear row with the West.
  

Rumors of War.

• The Jerusalem Post reported that American officials have been quietly probing whether Georgia, situated just northwest of Iran, will be willing to allow Washington to use its military bases and airfields in the event of a military conflict with Tehran.
• RIA Novosti reported that a senior Georgian diplomat rejected a media report that the United States was considering using military bases in Georgia for a possible attack on Iran.
  

More Calls for an Internal Regime Change in Iran.

• The Peninsula reported that Karen Hughes, US undersecretary of state for public affairs, said: "We are going to support the aspirations of the people of Iran for freedom."
• The Washington Post in an editorial welcomed Condoleezza Rice's plan to fund the pro-democracy efforts in Iran.
• Dr. Jack Wheeler, To The Point News reported on a statement of principles of the a Congress of Nationalities For a Federal Iran.
• The Voice of America reported that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: "Iran is a country that is going one-hundred-eighty degrees in the other direction in terms of democracy for its own people."
• The White House published the text of Bush's speech before the American Legion where he said: "Iran is a nation held hostage by a small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people, and denying them basic liberties and human rights."
  

Iran's Dissidents.

• Iran Press News reported that Elham Afroutan's father is saying his daughter has not committed suicide and spoke to him last Friday, despite government reports to the contrary.
• Iran Press News reported that political prisoner journalist, Mostafa Jowkar who was transferred to a hospital due to complications from heart disease, was returned to Evin prison without proper medical care.
• Iran Press News reported that 11 regime murderers were present at the despicable execution of political prisoner, Hodjat Zamani.
• 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.
• Iran Press News reported that two Iranian dissidents, Valiollah Fayz-Mahdavi and Asad Shaqaqi, said: "Within the last 24 hours we have been told that we will kill ourselves either with knives or with cleaning liquid!"
  

The Unrest inside of Iran will increase next month.

• Reuters reported that once again a small bomb shook the Iranian oil city of Ahvaz, a center of much unrest.
• 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).
  

Human Rights/Religious and Press Freedom inside of Iran.

• SMCCDI reported that the theocratic regime has increased the wave of repression to boost the existing fear among Iranians, executing two more Iranians.
• Amnesty International has just released a report on Iran, "New government fails to address dire human rights situation"(available here).
• Khaleej Times Online reported that Iran’s judiciary said two people had been sentenced to death for their role in twin bombings in the southwesten city of Ahvaz last month which killed eight people.
• Rooz Online reported on the increasing number of executions of dissidents in Iran whose backgrounds range from political activism to young women, children, and men.
• Amnesty International reported that executions in Iran are continuing at an alarming rate.
  

Iran's Military.

• Iran Press News reported on the recent suicides of Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
  

Iran and the International community.

• The Washington Post reported that Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad reiterated that Iran is playing "a negative role" in Iraq by providing weapons, training and other support to militias and insurgent groups that interfere in Iraqi politics.
• Stratfor reported on Iran's efforts to create strategic partners in South America.
• Arabic News reported that the Syrian and Iranian governments are to convene a high-level meeting in Damascus on Wednesday to discuss what they say is the "White House's offensive."
• Mehran Riazaty examined recent statements by Hakim & Sadr on Iraq and its relations with Iran.
• Yahoo News reported that the Supreme Court ordered an appellate court to reconsider allowing the brother of a victim of Iranian terrorism to collect 2.8 million dollars.
• The Scotsman reported that Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Hamas intends to set up a "second Iran" in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• 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."
• Deutsche Welle reported that German police launched a nationwide raid against a suspected spy ring with links to Iran, who were interested in missile technology.
  

Underreported Stories.

• IRNA reported that another small aircraft, Falcon, with 7-8 passengers aboard crashed at Iran's common border with northern Iraq killing all its passengers. But added there may have been several Israeli's on board.
  

Can you believe this?

• MEMRI TV reported that Iranian TV condemned the cartoon, "Tom and Jerry", as a Jewish conspiracy.
  

Must Read reports.

• Kenneth R. Timmerman, News Max reported that a top Pentagon official, responsible for tracking Saddam Hussein's weapons programs, provided the first-ever account of how the Russians "cleaned up" Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction stockpiles.
• John Patrick Quirk, RealClear Politics examined Iran's defensive strategy.
• Salena Zito, The PittsburgLive.com said we are at a defining moment in our history when Islamic fascists are determined to end Western culture and we must act decisively.
• Ronald D. Asmus, The Washington Post argued that it is time to offer Israel membership in NATO.
• Marvin Olasky, World Magazine provided a review of the threat of nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorist regimes.
• Henry Sokolski, The Wall Street Journal argued that the US must resist making a proposed civilian nuclear cooperation deal the primary theme of future relations with India.
• Lionel Beehner, The Council on Foreign Relations examined Condoleezza Rice's new strategy on Iran.
• The Financial Times reported that the Pentagon was examining the depth and nature of grievances of Iran’s ethnic minorities against the Islamic government.
• Jim Hoagland, The Washington Post examined how Ahmadinejad tough talk and actions have unified the west against him.
• Ze'ev Schiff, Ha'aretz examined: What is spurring Ahmadinejad?
  

The Experts.

• Amir Taheri, The New York Post reviewed two bad ideas for stopping Iran.
• Human Events interviewed Michael Ledeen, who explained why pushing a democratic revolution within Iran is the wisest policy the United States can pursue with Iran.
  

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.
  

And finally, The Quote of the Week.

Iran Press News reported that two Iranian dissidents, Valiollah Fayz-Mahdavi and Asad Shaqaqi, fearing for their lives, said:

"Within the last 24 hours we have been told that we will kill ourselves either with knives or with cleaning liquid!"