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

DoctorZin reports, 4.5.2006:

Still more on Iran's military war game tests.

Bill Gertz, The Washington Times referring to Iran's tests of an older Scud missile variant last week reported that the Pentagon said Iran often exaggerates its military developments.
MosNews reported that the chairman of the Russian State Duma said that the latest demonstration of military force by Iran "is not quite appropriate now."
India Defence reported that Iran successfully tested a "super-modern flying boat" which Iran claimed: "no radar at sea or in the air can locate it. It can lift out of the water... and can launch missiles with precise targeting while moving."
Iran Focus reported that Iran test-fired a shoulder-launched rocket.
CNN News reported that Iran tested a second missile equipped with remote-control designed to sink ships.
SeattlePI reported that experts said of Iran's weapons tests that it appears much of the technology came from Russia.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that a top commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the current maneuvers in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea aim to prepare the troops in case of attack by the U.S.
The Guardian reported that a top Iranian military official said Iran can now defend itself against any invasion.

US/Iran talks will be public?

Mehr News Agency reported that public talks between Iran and the United States on the security and stability of Iraq will take place on Saturday, April 8.
Mehran Riazaty said that the Iran-U.S. talks on Iraq will be held next few days but whether these talks are to be public or not depends on the agreement reached by both sides.

Iran nuclear plans will be unstoppable next year.

The Sun reported that Iran's nuclear bomb plans will be unstoppable by 2007.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran said it is willing to negotiate with world powers on the large-scale enrichment of uranium but will never give way on their key demand - to cease all enrichment.

Condi to Congress: now is not the time for subtlety towards Iran.

Voice of America reported that in a Congressional hearing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended plans to step up U.S. broadcasting and democracy-promotion efforts in Iran, saying she believed that subtlety in trying to promote reform in Iran is not the proper course.

Iranian intelligence preparing attacks on Israel.

Telegraph reported that Iran has set up a sophisticated intelligence gathering operation in southern Lebanon to identify targets in northern Israel.

Hezbollah to broadcast into North America.

Mehran Riazaty reported that Iran will activate Hezbollah’s Satellite Broadcast called “Kabar” and will cover North Africa, Central Europe, and North America.

Former KGB helping Hezbollah penetrate US?

AxisGlobe reported that a former CIA undercover agent claims: KGB and GRU former intelligence operators are assisting Hezbollah to penetrate the US.

Ahmadinejad's government offices bugged.

Ilan Berman, American Foreign Policy Council reported that listening devices have reportedly been found in a number of key regional and federal offices that have close contact with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his cabinet.

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

Reuters reported that there is growing concern over the welfare of tens of thousands of children affected by a series of quakes in western Iran last week.
Countdown reported on a petition against the US plan to allocate funds for democracy promotion in Iran.
SMCCDI reported that Iranians defied the Islamist regime and taboos in massive cultural outdoor event, the end of Persian New Year.
Deutsche Welle Online reported that German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier held talks with US officials in Washington on the Iranian nuclear crisis.
Reuters reported that the United States confirmed that two Iranian navy ships had visited Indian ports last month, but played down the contact.
The Right Brothers, You Tube, released a music video: Bush Was Right.