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

DoctorZin reports, 7.31.2006:

Iran is preparing operation "Judgment Day?"

Yehudit Barsky, InfoIsrael.net reported that little attention has been paid to Tehran's preparations for a possible showdown with America and its allies for a confrontation code-named "Al-Qiyamah," which is Arabic for "Judgment Day."

The head of the IRGC tells forces to "prepare to take revenge" on Israel and the U.S. Or did he speak to soon?

Reuters reported that the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said hardline forces should get ready to take revenge on Israel and the United States for the offensive on Lebanon. The regime later retracted the report.

Chavez in Iran: "Let's finish off the U.S."

The Washington Post reported that Iran awarded Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez its highest state medal on Sunday for supporting Tehran in its nuclear standoff with the international community. Then quoted Chavez saying: "Let's save the human race, let's finish off the U.S. empire."

Iran says it is hardening its stance on its nuclear policy.

Yahoo News reported that Iran's president signaled that Israeli attacks against the Palestinian territories and Lebanon were causing Iran to harden its stance in the international row over its nuclear program.
FOX News reported that Iran's foreign ministry warned Sunday that Tehran would abandon the West's package of nuclear incentives if the U.N. Security Council approves a resolution against Iran on Monday.

No gasoline rationing in Iran, yet.

Khaleej Times reported that Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh said Teheran will import gasoline for the next few months, cooling speculation that politically inflammatory rationing could be imminent.

Bush sees "a moment of opportunity" to deal with Iran?

Los Angeles Times reported that to President Bush, the conflict in Lebanon is "a moment of opportunity" for the United States — with the most important target not Hezbollah or even neighboring Syria, but distant Iran.

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

Amir Taheri, The Australian argued that Hezbollah in Lebanon is a state within a state thrives in the south modeled after the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Boston Herald reported that Somalia’s prime minister accused Egypt, Libya and Iran of providing weapons for Islamic militants who have seized control of much of this country’s south.
Herald Sun published photos smuggled out of Lebanon show Hezbollah fighters dressed in civilian clothing using high-density residential areas as launch pads for rockets and heavy-caliber weapons. Photos.