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

DoctorZin reports, 8.19.2006:

Iran's military exercises: Trouble brewing in the next few days?

World Tribune reported that Iran launched a new round of military exercises in an effort to test its new combat doctrine using weapons systems which were apparently tested in the recent war in Lebanon.
Threats Watch reviewed the latest developments in Iran as it relates to Ahmadinejad's promise of a response on the nuclear crisis August 22nd.
Ardeshir Dolat reported that according to a secret report to Khamenei, American and Israeli planes flew over Tehran in the past few nights. Disinformation?

Iran and Turkey attack Kurdish rebels in Iraq.

The Guardian reported that Turkey and Iran dispatched tanks, artillery and thousands of troops to their frontiers with Iraq during the past few weeks in what appears to be a coordinated effort to disrupt the activities of Kurdish rebel bases. Scores of Kurds have fled their homes in the northern frontier region after four days of shelling by the Iranian army. Where is the MSM on this?

Poll: American overwhelmingly say Iran must not get the bomb.

The Detroit News reported that 58 percent of Americans in the poll think Iran is now the "main promoter of Islamic fascism in the Middle East," and 76 percent believe Iran must be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons "at any cost."

Iran tried to airlift missiles to Hezbollah.

USA Today reported that the United States blocked an Iranian cargo plane's flight to Syria last month. The plane returned to Tehran, where the military cargo was unloaded.

Hezbollah handing out wads of cash in Lebanon to win hearts and minds.

Reuters reported that Hezbollah handed out bundles of cash on Friday to people whose homes were wrecked by Israeli bombing, consolidating the Iranian-backed group's support among Lebanon's Shi'ites.

Lebanon becoming a "mini-Iran?"

Haaretz reported that for the first time in 30 years, the Lebanese Army deployed south of the Litani River. But, the Lebanese Army has no plans to drive Hezbollah out of the South and the Ayatollahs is on the verge of witnessing the realization of its dream for a "mini-Iran" in southern Lebanon.

The myth of Hezbollah's victory over Israel.

Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat examined the myth of Hezbollah's victory in Lebanon in its recent war with Israel.

Wall Street braces for an Iranian oil crisis this week.

Reuters reported that Wall Street may hit some turbulence next week, with Iran's nuclear dispute with the West poised to come to a head.

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

Sydney Morning Herald reported on the changing face of Iran. A very interesting report.
Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post reminded us that the UN's latest resolution calling for the disarmament is the 7th such resolution and if they are not disarmed we are headed for a complete repudiation of the bottom-line American position.
One Jerusalem released an audio version of a conversation between bloggers and Israel's Ambassador Lubrani's thoughts on Iran's internal politics, the impact of the recent war in Lebanon, and Iran's increasing role in regional politics.
Mona Fayyad, Lebanon Wire, a Lebanese writer argued confronting difficult questions and putting them out in public could help prevent the Lebanese from falling to the precipice that has no return. In doing so, she explains what it is to be a Shiite now in Lebanon.
The Jerusalem Post reported that a senior Israeli delegation headed to Moscow to complain that Russian-made anti-tank missiles had reached Hezbullah guerrillas in Lebanon.
MEMRI.org published excerpts from a speech by Ahmad Khatami, member of the Iranian Assembly of Experts where he warned that Israel: "should fear the day that our missiles, with a range of 2,000 kilometers, land in the heart of Tel Aviv." Video.