A Daily Briefing on Iran: Saturday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 4.22.2006:

Iran elevated to vice chair of UN Commission on Disarmament.

New York Post reported that last week the U.N. Commission on Disarmament elevated Iran to the vice-chairman post and his first act was to demand that Israel sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and open all of its nuclear sites to international inspection.

The US prepares for an October attack on Iran?

Asia Times Online reported that Iran's becoming a rallying point for anti-US sentiment in the Muslim world fits well with al-Qaeda and that all of the Muslim countries that side with the United States anticipate a US attack on Iran around October.

Iran's military shelling Iraqi Kurds?

Radio Free Europe reported claims that Iranian forces shelled Iranian Kurdish guerrilla positions inside Northern Iraq.

Ahmadinejad: oil prices increase "very good."

MSNBC reported that Ahmadinejad said: “The increase of the oil price and growth of oil income is very good and we hope that the oil prices reach their real levels.”

Russia backs Iran's nuclear program.

The Times reported that Russia offered its most outspoken support yet of the controversial nuclear program in Iran. Sergei Kislyak, the Deputy Foreign Minister, said: "Our advice to our Iranian colleagues and friends is to complete work with the International Atomic Energy Authority and to calmly continue its nuclear energy program... and on this path we are ready to provide assistance to Iran."

US pressures Russia.

The New York Times reported that the Bush administration called for Russia and the countries of Europe to impose their own penalties on Iran.
The Guardian reported that the United States pressed Russia to halt missile sales to Iran.

The West seeks to increase efforts to support the people of Iran.

The Financial Times reported that the US and UK are working on a strategy to promote democratic change in Iran.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli President Moshe Katsav warned the people of Iran that their radical regime is leading them toward the abyss.

Harry Reid calls for the diplomatic recognition of Iran.

Jim Geraghty, The National Review examined Harry Reid's call for diplomatic recognition of Iran.

Iran scared out of the terrorist game?

Thomas Joscelyn, The Weekly Standard challenged a recent statement by former National Security Council staffers Richard Clarke and Steven Simon that the U.S. intelligence community scared Iran out of the terrorist game.

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

The Washington Times, in an editorial, asked the question: Can Iran Be Deterred?
The American Foreign Policy Council published a table of Iran's leading trading partners.
Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat reported that Ahmadinejad's tactical successes could lead to a strategic disaster for Iran.