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

DoctorZin reports, 5.13.2006:

UN Inspectors discover weapons grade uranium in Iran?

Reuters reported that U.N. inspectors have discovered new traces of highly-enriched uranium on nuclear equipment in Iran.

Ahmadinejad doesn't want more stuff from the West, he wants an "Islamic" West.

Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat argued why the world should take Ahmadinejad seriously. Ahmadinejad is convinced that the Western and Khomeinist models of the world are heading for a “final showdown” and that his model will emerge as the winner.

Ahmadinejad's letter fails to produce the result he sought.

Rooz Online reported that just four days after Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter to the US, groups ranging the Iranian political spectrum have come out in criticism of the president’s initiative.

Western leaders: UNSC negotiations on Iran need to produce results.

Reuters reported that Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns warned Iran and other key players that "we can't be captive to endless discussions in the (U.N.) Security Council."
IranMania reported that French President Jacques Chirac said Europe should seek the imposition of UN Security Council decisions on Iran over Tehran's refusal to give up its controversial nuclear program.

The critical question on Iran that must be answered... before all else.

Amir Taheri, Arab News suggests that the critical question that needs to be considered by our policy makers is what is the starting point for diplomacy with Iran's leaders? It isn't more carrots.

How to negotiate with the Iranians.

ET, A View from Iran published a few useful tips and tricks for negotiating with Iranians. A must read for our policy makers.

A peek into the Iranian intel war.

Kenneth R. Timmerman, News Max reported that a French court provided fascinating insight into the extraordinary intelligence war under way.

Iran demands Russian nuclear fuel.

Times of India reported that Iran for the first time criticized Russia for the delay in completing their joint nuclear power plant.
MosNews then reported that Tehran and Moscow have finalized legal and technical preparations for Russian production and delivery of nuclear fuel to the Bushehr power plant.

Iran seeks Pakistani help.

Yahoo News reported that Pakistan's former army chief says Iranian officials came to him for advice on heading off an attack on their nuclear facilities, and he in effect advised them to take a hostage — Israel. He also claimed: Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto once told him the Iranians offered more than $4 billion for the technology.

Is the US military moving assets needed for a war with Iran?

The Raw Story believes that the US may be preparing for a military strike on Iran, as military assets in key positions are approaching readiness. They think so.

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

Nicole Sadighi asked for urgent action on behalf of Valiyollah-Fiez Mahdavi who is in imminent danger of execution. Plus the transcribed text of his last message.
FOX News reported that U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the United States to join with Europe to resume talks with Iran and to "lower the rhetoric."
Radio Free Europe reported that some 400 students protested in front of a Tehran university on May 2 to protest the expulsion of a student by the country's Education Ministry for "general and ideological competence."
Radio Free Europe reported that Iranian journalists are complaining over the Iranian government's increased pressure and tighter media restrictions. A growing number of journalists have been jailed and their publications have been suspended.
The Financial Times reported that another key objective of the Iranian president in the nuclear crisis is to widen his appeal in the Muslim world.
The Wall Street Journal examined why is Indonesia's moderate president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, so keen to cuddle with Iran's radical cleric, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?