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

DoctorZin reports, 4.12.2006:

Iran's big announcement: "will soon join the nuclear club."

AP reported that Iran has successfully enriched uranium for the first time and Ahmadinejad added that the country "will soon join the club of countries with nuclear technology."
Mehran Riazaty reported Iranian leaders were meeting with many of its neighbors the morning of Iran's nuclear announcement. The report reminds us that Iranian leaders are seeking to increase the price of oil to $100 a barrel.
IranMania reported that the Iranian Defense Minister said that Tehran is ready to sign non-aggression pacts with countries in the region.
Kuwait News Agency reported that Rafsanjani announced that the state resumed operation of 164 centrifuges in its Natanz nuclear facility for the enrichment of industrial uranium.

The response.

Reuters reported that a White House spokesman said Iran's statements on its nuclear program are "moving in the wrong direction" and if Tehran persists, the United States will discuss possible next steps with the U.N. Security Council.
Reuters reported that China's envoy to the United Nations urged a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Iran's nuclear program and said military and economic measures would be counter-productive.
RIA Novosti reported that a Russian expert claimed that any military strike by the United States against facilities that are part of Iran's controversial nuclear program would damage but not paralyze the Iranian economy.

An Iranian nuke in 2007.

Ynetnews reported that senior U.S. and Israeli specialists say that if Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons, a military operation against it is inevitable and will take place in 2007.

Iranian made weapons cache found in Iraq.

Iran Focus reported that Iraqi military forces recently discovered an Iranian-made weapons cache hidden in the city of Tikrit, north-west of Baghdad.

Now the regime tries to control "text messaging."

Rooz Online reported on the latest efforts by the Iranian regime to control cell phone text messaging (SMS). SMS in Iran began just four years ago. The volume of SMS messages surpasses the seven million users of Internet in Iran.

Iranian rebels execute IRGC office on video.

Reuters reported that an Iranian Sunni rebel group video broadcast on Arab satellite television showed the killing by firing squad of a man identified as an Iranian Revolutionary Guard officer.

Must read reports.

Mark Steyn, City Journal argued why our lives depend on facing down Iran.
Iran Press News reported that a Swiss judge issued an international arrest warrant for ex-Minister of Intelligence and Security of the Islamic regime. A must read.
Mark Bowden, Atlantic Online published an excerpt from his new book: "Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam."

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

MosNews reported that visiting U.S. senators have said Russia’s record on democracy and the Kremlin’s stance on the Iranian nuclear crisis would influence the U.S. Congress, as it considers Moscow’s bid to join the WTO.
The Wall Street Journal reported that China's assistance to Iran is a violation of its obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and what can Washington do about it.
MosNews reported that Iran wishes to send a man into space and Russia is not opposed to the idea.
Iran Press News reported more than 500 textile workers have gone unpaid for 8 months.
Iran Press News reported that Islamic police stopped a 10-year-old girl at Tehran airport for improper clothing.
Iran Press News reported that Iranian blogger, Afshin Zareyi, will go on trial after 13 months in prison.
Iran Press News reported that Ahmadinejad's picture is now on Russian Chocolates sold in Iran. Photo.