Tuesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 7.17.2006:

For the first time: Arab nations blame Hezbollah.

• The New York Times reported that key Arab governments have taken the rare step of blaming Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia, with Jordan, Egypt and several Persian Gulf states, chastised Hezbollah for “unexpected, inappropriate and irresponsible acts.”
• IranMania reported that Druze leader Walid Jumblatt charged "The war is no longer Lebanon's ... it is an Iranian war."

G8 Nations back Bush's call for Hezbollah to disarm.

• Eli Lake, The New York Sun reported that leaders of the world's most powerful nations handed President Bush their support for his call for the terrorist group Hezbollah, backed by Iran and Syria, to be disarmed.

Iran warns the West of a "dire fate" for its support of Israel.

• Iran Focus reported that Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned the West “If you do not contain this criminal regime and end your support for it and give a positive response to the people of the region you will face a dire fate.”
• Yahoo News reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared the Islamic republic's "support" for Syria if it comes under attack.
• Iran Focus reported that the Supreme Commandant of Iran’s IRGC described the United States, Britain, and Israel as an “axis of evil.”

Why the present conflict is leading to a broader war.

• Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat argued why the present conflict in the Middle East will almost certainly lead to a broader war.

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

• BBC Arabic.com interviewed DoctorZin as part of a series on Middle East blogs.
• James S. Robbins, The National Review Online reported that until last week, Hezbollah has enjoyed virtual immunity in the war on terrorism. It appears that immunity is now over.
• Cox & Forkum published another cartoon: Rock'em Sock'em.

Tags: iran, news, nuclear, lebanon, isreal