Monday, April 17, 2006

Tuesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 4.18.2006:

Russia and China offer Iran to join their alliance.
  • AsiaTimes reported that Iran will become full member of China and Russia's "Shanghai Cooperation Organization." The SCO's enlargement move would frustrate the entire US strategy in the region. The SCO is a security organization which will provide Iran with access to technology, increased investment and trade.
Iran confirms it is developing P-2 centrifuges.
  • The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran now claims it was conducting research and tests on the more sophisticated P-2 nuclear-enrichment centrifuge which could significantly speed the process of making fuel for bombs.
Bush team wants to blanket Iran with glad tidings from America.
  • Newsweek reported that Bush administration officials are looking for a solution to America's new foreign-policy crisis with Iran by supporting people like "the Larry King of Iran."
Shah's Son warns Iran wants a confrontation.
  • CBS News reported that Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed Shah of Iran says "This regime is not trying to avoid confrontation, on the contrary; it needs confrontation in order to survive."
Iran behind suicide bombing in Israel.
  • 620ktar.com reported that Islamic Jihad, backed by Iran and Syria, claimed responsibility for Monday's suicide attack in Tel Aviv. Islamic Jihad is led by Ramadan Shallah considers the 1979 Iranian Revolution to be the beginning of a new era for the Muslim world.
  • The Times reported that it is no coincidence that this suicide bombing comes after renewed calls by Iran’s President for the destruction of Israel and after Iran offered to step in to fund the Hamas Government.
Dissident Ganji ordered back to prison.
  • Eli Lake, The New York Sun reported that Iran's judiciary has summoned dissident leader Akbar Ganji back to Evin Prison, but so far Mr. Ganji has refused to obey the requests.
Iran's other dissidents.
  • Iran Press News reported that Iranian Dissidents are saying: "No! We do not want nuclear energy."
  • Iran Press News reported that prison officials have threatened political prisoner, Valiollah-Fayz Mahdavi with execution should he communicate reports about the prison conditions.
Iran's reformist movement is angry and worried.
  • Rooz Online reported that members of the reformist Association of clergies, met with the Supreme Leader and called on him to take responsibility for the nuclear policies, which according to them sway from day to day.
  • Rooz Online reported that Ahmadinejad has stepped into a new phase in its policy of suppressing independent news agencies and journalists.
  • Rooz Online reported that while meeting with the Supreme Leader told teachers of Qom that the most important call of the day was to support president Ahmadinejad and the government, and that he expected the same from.
  • Rooz Online reported that missing from Ahmadinejad's propaganda campaign about enriching uranium to levels useful for nuclear power generation, was Ali Larijani the highest official responsible for the nuclear issue.
More signs of economic distress in Iran.
  • Iran Press News reported that Iran's brick making factories are closing rapidly with only 5 of 150 left due to stagnancy in construction in big cities such as Tehran leaving more that ten thousand unemployed.
  • Iran Press News reported that for the second time in a week protesting workers from 4 textile factories blocked the transit road between the cities of Kashan and Bandar Abbass.
Here are a few other news items you may have missed.
  • The Washington Times examined the question: "Is Iran Preparing for War?"
  • Xinhua reported that former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said he was certain Gulf Arab states will not support any U.S. strike on Iran.
  • The Washington Post reported that the Iranian government has intensified efforts to illegally obtain weapons technology from the United States.
  • Iran Press News reported that Iran plans to guarantee a loan to Cuba for the development of exporting technical services.
  • The Washington Post reported that Iran intends to replace some 60 ambassadors this year.
  • Nazanin, MySpace, born in Tehran, is a former Miss Canada, singer and songwriter and has produced a song: Someday (The Revolution Song). Listen here.
  • Cox & Forkum published another of their great cartoons: Crasher.