A Daily Briefing on Iran: Week in Review

DoctorZin provides a review of this past week's [9/17/06 - 9/23/06] major news events regarding Iran. (The report is organized by various categories in chronological order, not by importance). Catch up on all the past week's news developments. READ MORE

Iran's Nuclear Program & The UN Security Council.

CNN News reported that Condoleezza Rice said the United States expects to "make some movement forward" on a sanctions resolution when U.N. diplomats convene in New York next week.
The New York Times reported that after intense talks about Iran's nuclear program, the United States and other major world powers face two unappealing choices and have quietly shifted their strategy.
Boston Globe reported that US Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. used his first meeting of world finance chiefs yesterday as a venue for the Bush administration's mission to isolate Iran and choke its nuclear aspirations.
Iran Focus reported that Iran warned the United States that it risked isolating the dollar from Iranian markets by imposing strict sanctions against Iranian banks.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that French President Jacques Chirac suggested the international community renounce referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council during nuclear talks - and that Iran, in return, suspend uranium enrichment.
RIA Novosti reported that Russia's nuclear chief said Bushehr nuclear power plant under construction in southern Iran will be commissioned in September 2007.
Reuters reported that the United States wants to see a "verifiable suspension" of Iran's nuclear enrichment program so that there can be negotiations leading to a broader agreement.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran denied reports that the country was ready to consider freezing uranium enrichment for up to two months.
Eli Lake, The New York Sun reported that the Bush Administration is getting ready to re-energize the long dormant Arab-Israeli peace process to entice wavering European and Arab allies to hold a firm line on Iranian nuclear ambitions and the global war on terrorism.
The Times Online reported that Ahmadinejad stunned Kofi Annan during his trip to Tehran when he railed against Britain and the US. “Things have changed and they have to know it. They can scold us, they can shout at us, but they cannot damage us.”
CNN News reported that Iran's chief nuclear negotiator has not come to New York this week as expected, raising doubts about talks on Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Bolton said: "The discussions with Iran appear to have come to a stop."
Yahoo News reported that French President Jacques Chirac said he does not want to set a new deadline for Iran to suspend nuclear activities and appeared to soften an earlier proposal to drop talk of sanctions against Iran.
The Financial Times reported that Iran’s chief nuclear security official, Ali Larijani, is expected to resume talks with the European Union’s Javier Solana next week following a concession by the US to give the process more time before pursuing a UN sanctions resolution.
The Age reported that Australia may consider financial sanctions against Iran even if the move does not have the backing of the United Nations.
The Washington Post reported that U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said that Iran was abusing the global financial system and putting its security at risk.
News 8 reported that former President Clinton said the U.S. should try talking to Iran about its nuclear weapons ambitions without imposing a lot of conditions.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran is willing to discuss the suspension of nuclear enrichment under the right conditions.
Swiss Info reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad signaled a willingness to negotiate as major powers said Tehran had until early October to agree to suspend its nuclear program.
Fox News reported that Ahmadinejad said Annan had told him Iran could ignore a Security Council resolution requiring the country to cease enriching uranium by Aug. 31st. Kofi Annan denied it.
Reuters reported that Rafsanjani said that any talk of "(enrichment suspension) is a ridiculous precondition. It is unacceptable."
Eli Lake, The New York Sun reported that Secretary of State Rice contradicted her senior counselor, Phillip Zelikow, and assured her Israeli counterpart that America's diplomatic efforts to sanction Iran will not be linked to the peace process.
Amir Taheri, The Jerusalem Post reported that having failed to stop war in Iraq, French President Jacques Chirac is determined to prevent a similar fate befalling Iran. "There will be no war against Iran." He also examined the Islamic Republic strategy designed to counter any sanctions.
News Max reported that there is a strong economic incentive behind the U.N. Security Council and Germany's opposition to American calls for sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program - billions of dollars in trade.
Reuters reported that France, Britain and Germany would be willing to begin talks with Iran even if it has not suspended its nuclear enrichment programme first, but Washington would not take part.

Ahmadinejad travels to Cuba and on to the UN.

Iran Focus reported that Iran and Cuba signed five memoranda of understanding in Havana on Saturday. Ahmadinejad saying: "The United States was on the verge of collapse."
One Jerusalem has confirmed that the President of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Left-leaning establishment organization in New York, is inviting major civic, business, and political leaders to meet Iran's tyrannical President Ahmadinejad this week, when he is in New York. They asked for your help.
Eli Lake, New York Sun reported that Jewish leaders in New York are spurning a request from the Council on Foreign Relations to meet with the president of Iran when he arrives for the U.N. General Assembly.
Ken Timmerman, Iran.org reported a blistering response from Sen. Rick Santorum to the CFR's invitation for Ahmadinejad to speak. "President Ahmadinejad does not afford his own people the freedom of speech," Santorum wrote. "By allowing him the opportunity to address a public forum in the United States, you would be sending the wrong message to the people of Iran."
Vital Perspective published the full translated text of Ahmadinejad's UN speech.
The New York Sun, in an editorial, argued why Ahmadinejad should be arrested while in the US.
The Village Voice reviewed the plight of women in Iran and asked will the media ask the Ahmadinejad about the stoning of women in his country.
MSNBC and NBC News published an interview with Ahmadinejad in which he claimed that while the US “... speak of war so easily, as if it’s on their daily agenda. We never speak of war.”
Los Angeles Times reported that Iran's president told the United Nations that the organization had become a tool used by the world's powerful to oppress the weak, and call.
Drudge Report published the full text of Venezuelan President Chavez remarks at the UN General Assembly. He said of President Bush: "the devil came here yesterday. Yesterday the devil came here. Right here." [crosses himself] "And it smells of sulfur still today."
The New York Times reported that Ahmadinejad met with two dozen members of the Council on Foreign Relations, then ending the evening by asking whether they were simply shills for the Bush administration.
Kenneth R. Timmerman, FrontPageMagazine.com reported that while the CFR has consistently promoted a "grand bargain" with the regime in Tehran and ex-CFR staffer Susan Maloney at the State Department has vetoed funding of the Iranian opposition radio and TV broadcasts, and training for opposition groups inside Iran, on the grounds that it might offend the Tehran regime.
New Press reported that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seems to be enjoying the spotlight at this year's U.N. General Assembly, easing his way into the international arena and trying to improve his image amid the controversy over his nuclear program and remarks about Israel and the Holocaust.
The New York Sun reported that Columbia University invited the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to give a speech today, but at the last moment the invitation was withdrawn.
CNN News reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he is surprised American politicians "are so sensitive and biased with regards to Israel." Asked if he believes Israel has no right to exist -- he responded, "I say that it is an occupying regime."
DEBKAfile reported that on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Havana, intelligence experts from Iran, Cuba and Venezuela met to discuss on ways of translating their leaders' hostile rhetoric and slogans into effective war action against the United States.
The Wall Street Journal reported that while Hugo Chávez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad put on quite a show at the United Nations this past week, the more important U.N. story this week was the U.N. effort is really about persuading America that it can "live with" an Iranian bomb.
The Guardian reported on Ahmadinejad's meeting with the CFR where he said: "We love everybody around the world: Jews, Christians, Muslims ..." Minutes later he qualified his words: "Zionists are not Jews. Zionists are Zionists."
National Interest interviewed a participant at the meeting of Ahmadinejad and the CFR, Maurice R. Greenberg. He said: "The man… I wouldn't call him nuts. He's not crazy. He's crazy like a fox." Q: So bottom line: In your view, can we do business with him or is it impossible to do so? MRG: "I think it's almost impossible to do business with him as long as he has those views."
The New York Sun reported that the president of Columbia University, Lee Bollinger, yesterday withdrew an invitation to the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi asked our readers to all of you to take the time to write both Mr. Bollinger and Ms. Judy Jacobson to thank them for their decision.
Shaheen Fatemi, Iran va Jahan argued that rather than a debate between Ahmadinejad and Bush, there should be a debate between Ahmadinejad and Akbar Ganji.

Khatami keeps on touring.

Scotsman reported that the former president of the Islamic Republic, Mohammad Khatami, will visit Scotland next month to deliver a keynote lecture at St Andrews University and open a new Institute of Iranian Studies.
Karmel Melamed, Jewish Journal reported that in a rare display of unity, a variety of groups within the local Persian Jewish community have joined to voice support for a lawsuit filed against former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on Sept. 9 by seven Persian Jewish families in Los Angeles and Israel.

The leaders of the Islamic Republic's threats, strange and sad statements.

Ardeshir Dolat reported that the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, speaking to a selected audience of young Iranian talented students and researchers said: "The most insecure country in the world is America [not Iran]. The most and worst crimes take place in America[no no no not in Iran]. The most discriminations that take place are in America[no no no no no not in Iran]."
World Politics Watch reported that Ahmadinejad and Nasrallah claim they are in touch with the 12th Iman, said to be in hiding since the 9th century.
YNet News reported that the chief of staff of the Iranian army, General Atallah Salhi, said on Friday that Tehran has detected signs that the "Zionist regime" is falling apart. He added: "and now we saw signs that the American leadership is collapsing."

The unrest inside of Iran.

Regnum reported the arrest of five Azeri after troops were deployed by the authorities in order to prevent massive rallies by Azeris against opening new schools in Farsi.

Human Rights and Freedom of the Press in Iran.

World Politics Watch reported in its Iran Watch the latest protests and attacks on dissidents in Iran .
Iran Focus reported that hundreds of Iranian women gathered outside the offices of the judiciary in Tehran in protest to the impending execution of a female prisoner and dozens of protesting women were arrested.
Radio Free Europe reported that Iran's largest reformist student group is expressing concern over yesterday's inspection of the main office of its alumni association where security agents took away all documents and computers.
Rooz Online reported that tens of thousands of workers at the Alborz carpet workshops in the northern town of Babolsar held a demonstration which led to clashes with law enforcement personnel. These workers have not been paid their monthly wages for some nine months.
Rooz Online reported that the Islamic Republic is grading student activists in an effort to ban them from Iranian universities.
Rooz Online reported that conservative newspapers in Iran this week published the new accusation of the Minister of Intelligence that America is targeting journalists for its goals.
NPR reported that in Iran, journalists, reformers, and student activists feared the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad might lead to repressive policies and restrictions. After a year of comparative calm, however, observers say that it now appears that their fears were justified.
Human Rights Watch reported that the scheduled executions in Iran this week of two juvenile offenders – and their last-minute reprieve – highlight the country’s status as the world leader in juvenile executions.
Mariella Hosseini organized a rally this Sunday Sept 24th outside the Fox News building in LA to bring attention to two very young Iranian girls who are going to be executed next week in Iran.

The Iranian Economy.

Rooz Online reported that one year after Mr. Ahmadinejad’s hardline government took the reigns of power no government bonds have been bought by the public.
Rooz Online reported that two months into the recent decree of the ‘supreme leader’ regarding privatizing of government business entities through relinquishing company stocks, official statistics indicate the plan is 94% behind schedule.
The Times Online reported that Iran will put the exploration of 24 oil blocks out to international tender to make them more attractive to cautious foreign investors.
Rooz Online reported that, despite an exponential increase in the size of the government budget and expenditure, the Islamic Republic could be in crisis unless they receive new funding.

Iran and Iraq.

Iran Focus reported that Iran’s consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra came under a mortar attack Tuesday morning.

Iran and the International community.

Xinhua reported an Iranian Boeing 707 aircraft carrying high ranking officials was forced to land in Turkish largest city of Istanbul.

The US Congress on Iran.

The National Jewish Democratic Council PACin a press advisory reported that U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg slammed Republican Senator Rick Santorum's refusal to stop U.S. companies from doing business with Iran. But in doing so, Senator Frank Lautenberg is attempting to rewrite history.
Reuters reported that Sen. George Voinovich said "Ahmadinejad -- I call him Ahmad-in-a-head -- I think he's a Hitler type of person," adding that "I don't believe that as long as he's there that we're ever going to solve Iraq."
US Congressman Steve King announced that the House International Relations Committee passed King’s legislation, H.Res. 942, which aims to inspire Iranians to return to their constitutional democracy. It now goes to the full House for consideration.

The fallout from the Pope's statement on Islam.

Magdi Allam, Corriere della Sera argued that the Pope is threatened because he has said things that every single honest and rational Muslim should accept: the historical truth.
Bret Stephens, The Wall Street Journal reported that it took Pope Benedict XVI 5 days to express regret for all the offense caused by his speech. But maybe his apology that he said he was "deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages in my address" -- was as sly as the speech itself.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Muslim religious leaders in the Gaza Strip warned Pope Benedict XVI that he must "accept" Islam if he wanted to live in peace.
Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat argued that the Pope, like anyone else, has the right to express his opinions, even if, he offends some people. Those who disagree with him also have the right to respond by exercising freedom of speech. However, they are not allowed to kill. But the Pope's principal target was Protestant Christianity in all its versions.

Must Read reports.

Daniel M. Zucker, Global Politician reported on the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (VEVAK) sophisticated campaign of disinformation, learned from the Soviet KGB, and its work in the United States. A must read.
Time Magazine reported that a conflict with Iran is no longer unthinkable. Here's how the U.S. would fight such a war - and the huge price it would have to pay to win it.
Time Magazine on the eve of a visit to the U.S., Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke to TIME about debating President Bush, pursuing nuclear energy and denying the Holocaust.
Chicago Tribune reported that for much of his first year in office, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was a target of wisecracks but today few people are laughing anymore.
Agharb, Iranian.ws asked: Does the west really want Mullah's regime to go?
Peter Brown, RealclearPolitics.com argued that although there is some dispute about which side won the recent Middle East war, it is clear Israel was the victor in the battle for American public opinion. Iran on the other hand received the lowest rating in a survey 17 nations by Americans.
Mansoor Ijaz, The Wall Street Journal argued that while Pakistan needs not just innovative solutions for its difficulties, but a leader with ideas to frame them and the guts to implement them. Increasingly, Gen. Musharraf does not appear to be that man.
The Times Online reported that President Bush used a UN address yesterday to appeal directly to the Iranian people over the head of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying: “You deserve an opportunity to determine your own future... The greatest obstacle to this future is that your rulers have chosen to deny you liberty."
David Frum, The National Review Online argued that the president's speech to the UN today was one of the most important of his presidency. It marks the final fizzling out of his Iran policy of the past three years.
Max Schulz, The National Review Online argued that as the Iranian nuclear crisis worsens, the mullahs in Tehran are trying to forestall American or Israeli military action by threatening to use the “oil weapon.” Don’t believe it.
Mr. Kaylan, The Wall Street Journal examined Wahhabi Colonialism, which he argued is the root of much of the evil in the Islamic World.
BBC News reported on Iran's growing regional influence.
The New York Sun reported that in what was billed as a clash at the United Nations between President Bush and President Ahmadinejad over Iran's nuclear ambitions is being at least partially upstaged by new calls for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.
David Frum's Diary published 4 reasons why the US is unlikely to attack Iran arguing he US and Iran are heading toward a deal.
Avigdor Haselkorn, The American Thinker argued why after Israel's war with Hezb’allah an Iranian attack on Israel is now more likely than before.
BBC News reported that the BBC World Service opinion poll on Iran's nuclear intentions found that a significant majority, people in the 25 countries in which this opinion poll was carried out do not accept Iran's protestations that its nuclear activities are purely for civil purposes.
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross & Bill Roggio, The Weekly Standard reported that the government of Pakistan entered into a peace agreement with the Taliban insurgency, and released a large number of jihadists from prison and as soon as a the govermnent left Waziristan, the Al Qaeda flag was raised over the region.

The Experts.

Ken Timmerman, Iran.org reported a blistering response from Sen. Rick Santorum to the CFR's invitation for Ahmadinejad to speak. "President Ahmadinejad does not afford his own people the freedom of speech," Santorum wrote. "By allowing him the opportunity to address a public forum in the United States, you would be sending the wrong message to the people of Iran."
Bernard Lewis, Real Clear Politics provided an historical perspective on the potential for freedom and liberty in the Middle East and concludes we either bring them freedom, or they will destroy us.
Michael Ledeen, The Corner provided a short list of Republican appeasers of the terrorists and the Mullahs of Iran.
Michael Rubin, The Corner reported that while attending a speech in Cairo he observed the audience's applause to the demand that Egypt pursue nuclear power.
Michael Rubin, The Wall Street Journal examined the Islamic Republic's history of official contempt for diplomatic convention.
Amir Taheri, Gulf News reported that Al Qaida is now seeking help from other terrorist organizations.
Kenneth R. Timmerman, FrontPageMagazine.com reported that while the CFR has consistently promoted a "grand bargain" with the regime in Tehran and ex-CFR staffer Susan Maloney at the State Department has vetoed funding of the Iranian opposition radio and TV broadcasts, and training for opposition groups inside Iran, on the grounds that it might offend the Tehran regime.
Amir Taheri, The Jerusalem Post reported that having failed to stop war in Iraq, French President Jacques Chirac is determined to prevent a similar fate befalling Iran. "There will be no war against Iran." He also examined the Islamic Republic strategy designed to counter any sanctions.
The New York Times reported that while Iran wants to be a leader in the Islamic world, at home, Iran has often had to labor to unify its own people under one national identity and is not succeeding.
Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat argued that the Pope, like anyone else, has the right to express his opinions, even if, he offends some people. Those who disagree with him also have the right to respond by exercising freedom of speech. However, they are not allowed to kill. But the Pope's principal target was Protestant Christianity in all its versions.
Richard Perle, Figaro reported on the American Mission: to bring a measure of self government and openness to millions of Arabs condemned living under dictatorial rule.

Photos, cartoons and videos.

Bridget, GOP Vixen published an "interesting" photo of Ahmadinejad and Chavez: Caption This!
Cox & Forkum published a cartoon of Ahmadinejad: Security Breach.
Paul Nowak, Townhall published a cartoon: Mahmoud Adolfinejad, Statesman.
Aaron, One Jerusalem published a roundup of the reports on the protest of Ahmadinejad at the UN. Videos.
Cox & Forkum published a cartoon: El Diablo.
Glenn McCoy, Townhall published a cartoon: The new and improved AhmaChuck Asay, Townhall published a cartoon: The cost of free speech.

The Quote of the Week.

YNet News reported that the chief of staff of the Iranian army, General Atallah Salhi, said on Friday that Tehran has detected signs that

the "Zionist regime" is falling apart. He added: "and now we saw signs that the American leadership is collapsing."