Sunday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 4.23.2006:

Surgical strikes won't stop Iran.

• Alan Peters, AntiMullah.com argued that a limited strike on Iran would not bring down the regime and that what is required is to eliminate the most radical elements of the Iranian regime. A must read.

Iran assigns its master terrorist to plan attack on the west.

• Sunday Times reported that Imad Mugniyeh, the Lebanese commander of Hezbollah’s overseas operations, has taken charge of plotting Iran’s retaliation against western targets should President George W Bush order a strike on Iranian nuclear sites.

Ahmadinejad to announce Iran's decision on UNSC nuclear deadline, Monday.

• Khaleej Times Online reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will disclose Iran’s decision on the United Nations Security Council deadline in a press conference on Monday.

Iran claims to have a "basic" deal with Russia.

• Reuters reported that Iran's ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog said that Iran had a basic deal to enrich uranium in a joint venture in Russia.
• Boston.com reported that a top Kremlin diplomat warned against threatening Iran with sanctions or the use of force, saying that would only aggravate the international standoff.

US seeks military bases in Turkey for an Iranian attack?

• World Tribune reported that Turkish sources said the Defense Department has discussed U.S. military access to several bases in Turkey. But Turkey's government denied the report. The U.S. embassy in Ankara said the story had "no factual basis."

More unrest inside of Iran.

• Korosh, The Price of Freedom, an Iranian blogger, reported on the increasing number of pro-democracy protests in Iran.
• SMCCDI reported that hundreds of Iranians used a soccer match to protest against the Islamic republic regime. Tens were seen injured or arrested.

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

• Dow Jones Newswires reported that Russia began delivering advanced antiaircraft missiles to Belarus and he denied a report that the weaponry was destined for Iran.
• The New York Times reported that Iran, India and Pakistan are close to signing a gas pipeline deal, defying U.S. opposition to the project.
• The Christian Science Monitor reported that rising tension between the West and Iran is coinciding with the emergence of a loose anti-Western alliance - Israel now dubs it an "axis of terror."