Iran News and Discussions

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 09 Nov 2011 04:46

Bush visit. Is lover-boy PM gonna meet Dubya ? It could very well be all about the coming spat with Iran,or even about the US N-deal in the aftermath of KKM,plus a last gasp effort to sabotage the MMRCA deal touting the JSF,as there seems to be an orchestrated campaign for the same,or the whole caboodle!

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 09 Nov 2011 15:56

ramana wrote:UN Report: Iran suspected of weapons work

Some one please post the 13 page report. Would like to see the logic.

Its not actually the latest info. Most of what was put in there is based on info they already had in 2009. Its incredible the coordination they have with the GCC. Source provided me with a report by a GCC think tank which already stated most of what was in teh IAEA report. Confirmation that Obama will not sanction IRanian oil *yet*.

Vikas · Post by **Vikas** » 09 Nov 2011 16:34

Is war on Iran (or Sunni-Shia schism) next big windfall for Pakis after Afghan and GOAT?

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 09 Nov 2011 20:38

Ahmadinezhad to visit Armenia by end of year. Would be interesting to watch the alignments emerging in the caucasus, given recent 'incidents' between Iran and Azerbaijan.

Iran seeks more trade, visa-free travel agreements with Armenia

Altair · Post by **Altair** » 09 Nov 2011 22:35

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeas ... 38731.html

A 13-page annex to the IAEA's report, released on Tuesday, included claims that while some of Iran's nuclear development activity was aimed at civilian as well as military applications, others were "specific to nuclear weapons".

The IAEA said that there were indications that Iran had conducted high explosives testing and detonator development to set off a nuclear charge, as well as computer modelling of a nuclear warhead.

The report also said that preparatory work for a nuclear weapons test was under way, as well as development of a nuclear payload for Iran's Shahab-III intermediate range missile.

The IAEA says that Iran has begun to move low-enriched uranium (LEU) to an underground facility for the pursuit of nuclear research.

The report also said that Iran had installed two sets of 174 machines to refine uranium to a fissile purity of 20 per cent (as opposed to the 3.5 per cent required for normal power plant operations) at Fordow, near the city of Qom, but that these machines were not yet operational.

Iran says that it will use the higher-grade enriched uranium to convert into fuel for a research reactor that would make isotopes to treat cancer patients.

Some of the information, however, was new, including evidence of a large metal chamber at a military site for nuclear-related explosives testing.

Iran has dismissed those allegations, saying the structure was a set of metal toilet stalls

"According to sources that looked at this report, the IAEA's evidence is based on a laptop that was stolen from an Iranian nuclear scientist in 2004.

"This laptop contains a lot of information ... Iranians say this information was already put forth in previous reports and they have already responded to it four years ago in a detailed 117 page report

"The Iranian nation is wise. It won't build two bombs against 20,000 [nuclear] bombs you have," he said in comments apparently directed at the West and others

Warning to Israel

Also on Wednesday, Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri, Iran's deputy military chief, warned Israel that any attack on Iran's nuclear sites by that country would result in the "destruction" of Israel.

Jazayeri said the Israeli nuclear site of Dimona was "the most accessible" target, and that "our response would not be limited to the Middle East", according to a television interview.

"The smallest action by Israel [against Iran] and we will see its destruction," he said.

Jazayeri's comments came after a warning from Shimon Peres, the Israeli president, that an attack on Iran was becoming "more and more likely".

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 10 Nov 2011 00:11

What if the Iranians are researching the next gen non-fission based nukes with PRC help?

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 10 Nov 2011 06:06

Source says that they will incrase sanction but WILL NOT touch Oil, gas and the central bank. Russia moved to block further sanctions. At the moment, only2 countries are not implementing sanctions - Russia and Malaysia.

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 10 Nov 2011 06:24

^^yeah saw it on the news 2 days ago...

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 11 Nov 2011 21:25

Some comic relief:
Associated Press: Dissident cleric lambasts current Iranian regime

BERLIN (AP) — A dissident Iranian cleric said Friday he is confident of a resurgence of the protest movement in his country, calling Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency the most "destructive" in Iran's history.

Hassan Yousefi Eshkevari, an outspoken middle-ranking cleric who was jailed for four years in Iran, told a conference of Iran scholars and experts in Berlin that Ahmadinejad's administration has "crossed almost all political and religious lines."

Eshkevari said through a translator there has never been a "similar gang that has been so destructive" and that this Iranian regime is deeply at odds with Shia tradition, ultimately threatening to "destroy Islam, the government and the country."

The cleric, who fled to seek political asylum in Germany two years ago, said he is confident that the protest movement that followed the disputed 2009 presidential election will eventually come back to the forefront again.

"I have no doubt that this movement will come back," he said. "In the future there will be a democratic development," he said, adding that he believes the majority of the country's young population not only longs for change, but also has grown estranged from religion.

The peaceful development of nuclear power is supported by many Iranians, but they reject the country's leaders' alleged push to develop an atomic bomb, he said.

A fatwa, or religious edict, by the late Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri also explicitly forbade the pursuit of developing nuclear weapons, said Eshkevari.

"Neither the people nor the common Mullahs want this weapon of mass destruction," he said.

Eshkevari, 63, was arrested in 2000 after returning to Iran from a conference in Berlin where he made remarks considered by the regime to be detrimental to religion and state and was charged with crimes that can be punished with the death sentence in the Islamic Republic.

He was sentenced to seven years in jail and was released after serving four before seeking asylum in Germany...

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 11 Nov 2011 21:32

Indian Express carries this one:
Obama challenger Romney says 'prepare for war' against Iran

Altair · Post by **Altair** » 12 Nov 2011 23:30

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15705948

Iran explosion at Revolutionary Guards military base

Seventeen soldiers have been killed in an explosion at a military base near Iran's capital Tehran, officials say.

The blast occurred when weapons were being moved inside a Revolutionary Guards depot, a spokesman for the elite unit told state TV.

Windows in nearby buildings were shattered and the blast was heard in central Tehran, 40 km (25 miles) away.

Two hours after the explosion a fire still raged and there were traffic jams on nearby roads, a local reporter said.

The death toll was revised down from an earlier figure released by the Revolutionary Guards of 27.

Local MP Hossein Garousi said "a large part of an ammunition depot exploded," parliament's website reported.

Revolutionary Guards spokesman Ramezan Sharif did not say what had caused the "accident" in the village of Bidganeh, near the city of Karaj.

"Some of the casualties are reported to be in a critical condition," he said.

An emergency worker said that 12 people had been taken to hospital.

Karaj resident Kaveer told the BBC's Newshour programme that the sound was "deafening".

There are also reports of unconfirmed second and third blast at a nearby depot. However reports are awaited on the casualties.

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 14 Nov 2011 01:51

^^^ The blast happened in Karaj, southish of Tehran. People living in north Tehran, in the foothills, said the blast was deafening, windows flew open, flower vases fell and were smashed to the floor. They thought Israel had attacked. Common people there are nervous.

-----------------------------------------------

Egyptian Activists Launch Campaign to Support Iran against Israel's Threats

TEHRAN (FNA)- Israeli officials' growing warmongering remarks against Iran have prompted Egypt's political activists, including Islamists, to start a campaign in solidarity with the Iranian nation's resistance against Washington and Tel Aviv.

According to FNA dispatches, the Egyptians started the campaign titled 'Together against the Zionist Hegemony' through the Facebook to fight back Zionists' domination over Muslim nations and condemn the US and Israeli threats against Iran.

This is the first social campaign in Egypt in support of Iran.

Ahmad Trabik, Egyptian journalist and activist, who has organized the campaign, said that the move is aimed at explaining the threats posed by the world Zionism to Muslims.

He cautioned that the world Zionism is after destroying Islamic countries one by one, and added that Zionists' attacks against Muslim states have increased since revolutions started by Arab nations earlier this year. ...

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 14 Nov 2011 12:01

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... osion.html

In another mysterious explosion,the suppposed head of Iran's missile development was killed along with a number of Rev. Guards.In recent times Iran has seen a number of its nuclear scientists and experts killed in attacks believed to have been carried out by the Mossad.Iran's controversial nuclera ambitionshve heightened tension in the Middle East with hardliners in Israel calling for strikes against its N-facilities.Experts in the US are split on this line of action,including some prominent Israelis,one of whom said that it was the stupidest idea he'd heard of.If this hit was indeed carried out by Mosad,it would be in line withy its track record of allegedly eliminating super-gun inventor Bull,who was making a super-gun for Saddam,the Palestinian hit team that killed Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics and German scientists working on rckets for Nasser,who were allegedly intimidated with letterbombs,etc.

Xcpt:

Iran missile development commander killed in explosion
An explosion at a Revolutionary Guard base in Iran killed a senior commander in charge of the country's missile development programme, the authorities have said, prompting speculation Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service was involved.

The high-profile status of Brigadier General Hassan Moghaddam will add to speculation that the explosion was an act of sabotage aimed at the country's nuclear weapons programme Photo: AFP/GETTY
By Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent
13 Nov 2011
Brigadier General Hassan Moghaddam was said to be "responsible for industrial research aimed at ensuring self-sufficiency of the Revolutionary Guards' armaments", a coded way of confirming reports that he was responsible for its missile inventory.

The authorities claimed the explosion was caused by an accident which happened as ammunition was being moved, but the high-profile status of its main victim will add to speculation that it was an act of sabotage aimed at the country's nuclear weapons programme.

One US-based commentator known to have good sources in Israel's military community said he had been told it was carried out by Mossad, co-operating with an exile group, the People's Mojaheddin of Iran (MEK).

He drew comparisons with an explosion at a base housing Shahab-3 long-range missiles just over a year ago, which killed 18 people and which was also put down by the authorities to a fire in an ammunition depot.

Neither Mossad nor Israel ever claims responsibility for such acts. But Israeli media began speculating immediately as to the nature of the blast, which sent shock-waves from the base at as far away as Tehran 25 miles away to the east. Seventeen people were killed, according to the Revolutionary Guard spokesman, Gen. Ramazan Sharif.

Israel is tight-lipped with US over Iran intentions12 Nov 2011(Telegraph News)
Snap! Pippa Middleton's in double trouble11 Nov 2011(Telegraph News)

The website of the biggest-selling Israeli newspaper, Yediot Aharonot, said "some assessments" indicated the blast was "the result of a military operation based on intelligence information".

The US commentator, Richard Silverstein, who has a record of revealing information censored inside Israel, said on his blog that a source had confirmed it as a Mossad operation in collaboration with the MEK. "It is widely known within intelligence circles that the Israelis use the MEK for varied acts of espionage and terror," he said.

Although such reports are unverifiable, the Iranian nuclear programme has been hit by a series of disasters in the last two years, assumed to be the work of outside agencies, probably Mossad. Last year, a senior nuclear scientist was killed and another injured when their cars were attacked with "sticky bombs" by men on motorbikes.

A highly sophisticated computer worm which caused centrifuges used for enriching uranium to spin out of control was also blamed on Mossad, possibly working with assistance of computer programmers from the United States and Britain.

The explosions last year and on Saturday, if caused deliberately, would appear to be aimed at the Shahab-3, the long-range missile that is geared to strike Israel in retaliation for any raid on the nuclear programme, and which is also suspected of being the intended vehicle for any nuclear warhead.

A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency released last week which renewed calls inside Israel for a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities focused partly on efforts allegedly being made to fit such a warhead on a missile.

Shahin Gobadi, a spokesman for the MEK, denied "absolutely" that it was involved. "The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) has nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with this explosion," he said in a statement.

He also noted that the Revolutionary Guard had a reputation for "sloppiness".

He claimed that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had personally ordered Brig Gen Moghaddam to oversee moving the missiles at the base to a new location in response to the threat of an Israeli strike.

The Iranian authorities denied a more far-fetched claim that the explosion happened as the Guard tried to fit a missile with a nuclear warhead, and insisted there were no suspicious circumstances.

"My colleagues at the Guard were transporting ammunition at one of the depots at the site when an explosion occurred as a result of an accident," Gen. Sharif said.

As well as the 17 killed, 16 members of the Guard were injured, he said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... tions.html

Israel refuses to tell US its Iran intentions
Israel has refused to reassure President Barack Obama that it would warn him in advance of any pre-emptive strike on Iran's nuclear capabilities, raising fears that it may be planning a go-it-alone attack as early as next summer.

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 14 Nov 2011 23:31

Iran reels from twin blows

Explosions at a military base that killed 17 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, including a key figure in Iran's missile program, and the death in mysterious circumstances of the son of a former leading Guards commander might simply be coincidence. Nevertheless, the mood among many Iranians is that the country's enemies are now engaged in full-scale psychological warfare. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 15 Nov 2011 01:56

To add,

Iran claims defence computer systems hit by another 'supervirus'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... virus.html

Could not happen at a better time.

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 15 Nov 2011 01:59

^^^ And...
Iran says it has 'controlled' Duqu malware attack

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 16 Nov 2011 00:28

The Azeri-Persian divide is probably being played up now that the Kurdish problem is hurting Turkey...

Iranian Azerbaijanis ask Ilham Aliyev to raise awareness on Lake Urmia

A group of Azerbaijani Turks in Iran has asked President Ilham Aliyev and Milli Majlis Chairman Ogtay Asadov to help tackle the problem of Lake Urmia.
They drew attention to the political, economic and social state of Azerbaijani Turks in Iran, the ethnic discrimination they face there and the drying up of Lake Urmia.

"As you know, tens of millions of Southern Azerbaijani Turks living in Iran suffer cultural and economic problems and discrimination," the letter says.

"In recent years, Southern Azerbaijan has faced a problem that is so serious that it has become a life and death struggle for our people. This problem concerns Lake Urmia, which is called the 'Azerbaijani Bride' for its natural beauty. The lake has been threatened with desiccation in recent years. At one time the world’s second largest salt lake, Urmia has lost 60% of its waters and is rapidly drying up. It threatens to create a large salt heath in the centre of Southern Azerbaijan.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 16 Nov 2011 02:09

Carl ji,

Iran is going to increasingly come under spotlight as far as ethnic tensions and secessionist tendencies in Iran are concerned - Kurds, Azeris, Baluchis, Khuzestani Arabs, etc.

Just like in Pakistan, Iran too has tried to cover up its ethnic divisions through a Centrist polity and Islamist rhetoric. It is to be seen how far it succeeds when the various Sunni countries along with the West start turning the screws on that front!

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 16 Nov 2011 02:20

RajeshA ji, the problem is that unlike TSP, Iran actually does have a civiliational gravity that attracts many ethnicities. So the ethnic diversity within Iran is not as artificial as TSP or Turkey. So the situation is not so equivalent in that respect. However, a lot hangs on the regime and its ideology, which is indeed artificial! The regime that controls Iran needs to keep producing some kind of "success" inorder to keep a tired and irritated populace down. A couple of real setbacks and there will be problems for sure.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 18 Nov 2011 08:34

Stopping an Iranian bomb

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 18 Nov 2011 23:18

Azerbaijan 'not to get involved' in war on Iran

News.Az interviews political scientist Zardusht Alizade.

[...]

How can a possible war between the West and Iran affect the South Caucasus region and what implications may it have for the region?

There are several potential scenarios for development in the event of war in Iran. The first is if Azerbaijan takes the West’s side. In this case Iran will strike Azerbaijan, primarily the strategic facilities of its oil infrastructure. The second is if Azerbaijan does not get involved in the war. In this case, there will certainly be no differences between Azerbaijan and Iran. And the third is if Azerbaijan takes Iran’s side.

The latter can certainly be ruled out. But if hypothetically this scenario were possible, the West would also strike Azerbaijan. Therefore, the second scenario, under which Azerbaijan does not get involved in events around Iran, is considered the most likely and realistic.

How should Azerbaijan, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, act in decision-making on Iran?

Azerbaijan should not give ground to the West to legalize anti-Iranian strikes, since, first and foremost, such an attitude to independent countries undermines the system of international law. Second, there is the concept of a "neighbour's house". Iran is a neighbouring house to Azerbaijan and a fire in a neighbour's house will spread to one’s own house. Third, it should be taken into account that there are 25 million Azerbaijanis in Iran. Therefore, agreement to strike Iran means agreement to the West shelling Azerbaijanis. And, fourth, it is a matter of solidarity. Iran and Azerbaijan show this solidarity within the framework of most international organizations, while agreement to the unfair use of force against a neighbour would signal the end of this solidarity. Therefore, Azerbaijan should not vote against Iran.

Might the West use the Azerbaijanis of Iran against the authorities of this country?

I do not think that Azerbaijanis will take up arms to protest against the Iranian authorities. Azerbaijanis consider Iran their state. Moreover, the leaders of Iran are Azerbaijanis. Considering these factors, I think it is highly unlikely that the West will arm part of the Iranian population to provoke riots against the central authorities in this country, because the Iranian authorities are quite authoritarian and they will seek to prevent armed riots, as we can see with the suppression of Kurdish rebels in Iran.

Moreover, there are no grounds to believe that refugees will flow to Azerbaijan from Iran in the event of war.

Can possible war in Iran promote profound change in the geopolitical situation in the region?

This war will really complicate the West’s position in the region. The whole policy of the West is to undermine the system of international law established after the Second World War.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 21 Nov 2011 22:30

Exclusive: CIA Spies Caught, Fear Execution in Middle East

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 25 Nov 2011 02:53

Notice the equal-equal, nay, the tilt, in the charm offensive below.
This is exactly what India should be doing on Iranian soil, but with the reverse tilt.

India, Iran cradles of great civilizations: Iranian envoy

New Delhi, Nov 23, IRNA – India and Iran have been cradles of great civilizations and the messenger of spirituality, peace and friendship throughout the history, said Iranian Ambassador to New Delhi Mehdi Nabizadeh.

Addressing a three-day International Seminar on Hazrat Sheikh Sharafuddin Ahmad Yahya Muniri at Patna, capital city of Bihar State, the ambassador said love and affection as well as cultural interaction between the people of these two lands have been so strong and profound that even temporary political tensions during the course of history could not break down.

He reiterated that the seminar is in fact a tribute to the memory of the ancient spiritual and cultural ties and bonds between the people of the two friendly countries of Iran and India.

He said that Iran and India are the unique countries which have the 9000 years old history and 3,000-5,000 years old cultural heritage. Both countries have had a common border for innumerable years {hmm, go on...} and these two people enjoy numerous cultural commonalities, like the Persian language, {huh?} architecture, music, art, several social etiquettes and traditions many of which still continue, added the Iranian official.

“The developments in these two countries should be properly studied after the independence of India and the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran,” said Nabizadeh.

The independence struggles of Iran and India have had many common features and both Imam Khomeini and Mahatma Gandhi believed in peaceful policies, he noted.

devesh · Post by **devesh** » 25 Nov 2011 10:15

RAND's new research paper on future of Iran. lots of info and interesting glimpse of USA's analysis methods:

http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pu ... GSD290.pdf

sum · Post by **sum** » 25 Nov 2011 10:58

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 25 Nov 2011 12:17

^^^ Sum, I think the Deccan Herald has a typo - its Iraq, not Iran.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 25 Nov 2011 16:49

Iran claims to have captured 12 CIA spies

Iranian officials claimed a blow against US spying efforts on its nuclear programme and strategic industries after 12 CIA assets were captured by the regime and its Lebanese ally, Hizbollah.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... spies.html

US officials acknowledged that its network targeting Iran had suffered a setback and expressed fears that its contacts would be executed by the regime.

Heydar Moslehi, Iran's intelligence minister, said yesterday that the alleged spies worked at the highest levels of "major firms involved in oil, gas and nuclear industries" as the country .

Parviz Sorouri, a member of parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy committee said the arrested spies were on a mission to cripple Iran in vital sectors with military and security links.

This current announcement follows the unravelling by Lebanon's Hizbollah of a CIA spy ring included a network based in a Pizza Hut.

Hassan Nasrallah, Hizbollah's leader, has admitted that at least two CIA spies had infiltrated the ranks of the organisation. The US Embassy in Lebanon officially denied the accusation but officials conceded that Hizbollah had subsequently methodically picked off CIA informants in recent months.

Robert Baer, a former CIA station chief in Beirut, told ABC News that the arrests were "catastrophic" and amounted to a demonstration that American had "lost its touch" in Middle East espionage.

PS:"Pizza Hut" spies! The US has long ben suspected of using chains of popular junk food jonts like Pizza Hut ,McDonald's,etc. as espionage cells.These joints are to be found all over host nations and belonging to well known US MNCs are the pefect cover for espionage.So the next time you visit a Piza Hut or eat a Big Mac,remember,Big Brother may be listening!

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 25 Nov 2011 17:34

Philip wrote:PS:"Pizza Hut" spies! The US has long ben suspected of using chains of popular junk food jonts like Pizza Hut ,McDonald's,etc. as espionage cells.These joints are to be found all over host nations and belonging to well known US MNCs are the pefect cover for espionage.So the next time you visit a Piza Hut or eat a Big Mac,remember,Big Brother may be listening!

BTW, there are many food chains like Starbucks which offer free WLAN access!

anishns · Post by **anishns** » 26 Nov 2011 01:17

^^^

Jeez! I wonder if my Ford is bugged too....
I need to watch what I tweet when driving

Tweeting Ford!

Wondering if I can purchase a russki manufactured car, which will be bug free and give me trouble/maint free service for years. Maybe Surya saar would know!

Jeff Lira · Post by **Jeff Lira** » 26 Nov 2011 11:11

International freelance journalist Isabella Woods write on The World Reporter, that decade long Israel - Iran conflict may or may not lead to a full fledged war. Although politicians maintain that the military option is not ruled out, but she explains in the article Will a Conflict Between Israel and Iran Drag the World into War? why a military strike has not happened yet -

1. Iran’s large reserves of oil and the international dependency on its supply mean that an attack could cause a rise in the price of oil around the world. This increase in value could end up befitting Iran, as they will be making more profit on the oil they sell.

2. An escalating conflict between Iran and Israel could drag in neighbouring countries, and the opposition of public opinion.

Source: Will a Conflict Between Israel and Iran Drag the World into War? | The World Reporter: News Opinion and Analysis http://www.theworldreporter.com/2011/11 ... z1emrfXQBi

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 26 Nov 2011 13:14

Anish,you should've watched a recent Top Gear episode when they tried to find the world's worst car,made by Commies.You could've taken your pic of the best from the Soviets.It however ended reminding all that Ferraris,were all made in a Commie dominated part of Italy by Commie workers too!

A thought struck me.Israel and the US are simply wide off the mark when they fear Iran's puny little nuclear efforts.Instead of going after Iran,they shulod instead be going after the world's worst nuclear proliferators,who allegedly even supplied Iran with tech,the Pakis through AQK! It is Pakistan that possesses and distributes nuclear weapon-knowhow to Islamic states and poses the greatest danger to Israel and the US,not Iran.Pakistan is now acknowledged by wetsern experts to be the world's largest producer of N-weapons and the Qust be asked why? It cannot be soley for Pak which has more than enough to deter India.Pak must be producing so many nukes with Chinese help for "export".The Saudis are Pak's best Islamic bum-chums and beign bankrolled by them in their devious nuclear endeavours will be the first recipient of Paki nukes.Pak is even suspected of "parking" a significant quantity of its nukes in Saudi hands as insurance in case the US tries to grab them in another secret op like the one that exterminated Osama.

A little realigning of US target coordinates eastward from Iran towards Pakistan is required if the US and co. truly want to make the world a safer place.

Christopher Sidor · Post by **Christopher Sidor** » 26 Nov 2011 20:42

Jeff Lira wrote:International freelance journalist Isabella Woods write on The World Reporter, that decade long Israel - Iran conflict may or may not lead to a full fledged war. Although politicians maintain that the military option is not ruled out, but she explains in the article Will a Conflict Between Israel and Iran Drag the World into War? why a military strike has not happened yet -

1. Iran’s large reserves of oil and the international dependency on its supply mean that an attack could cause a rise in the price of oil around the world. This increase in value could end up befitting Iran, as they will be making more profit on the oil they sell.

How will Iran be able to sell oil, when their oil facilities would be legitimate targets.

Jeff Lira wrote: 2. An escalating conflict between Iran and Israel could drag in neighbouring countries, and the opposition of public opinion.

The Gulf Shiekdoms would gladly allow Iran to drag itself into a conflict with Israel or any other country for that matter. We should not forget the role played by the same countries in the Iran-Iraq war of 1980s. They will not get involved, but would supply Israel with whatever it needs. For them the war is a win-win. Neither Israel nor Iran can win. Both can only loose. So what these Gulf rulers get is that both of their enemies, Israel and Iran, loose. More importantly for the Gulf Sheikdoms, Iran gets into another long conflict with a potentially more technologically advanced state. I am not saying that this is wrong or something bad. Just that, if I were in place of a Gulf prince, with his pathological loathing of Persians/Shiites I would make sure that my enemy would not have peace on any of its front. If it means instigating a war between Israel and Iran then so be it. If it means asking my benefactor/protector to attack Iran, so be it. It is just plain politics.
China does not have the capability to act in persian gulf. Russia will not get involved due to the cost factor. And moreover if Iran gets knocked out of the oil market, good for russia, it can sell oil and more importantly Gas at higher rates. Iran has more of Gas reserves than it has oil. After Russia and possibly Turkmenistan, it has the biggest Gas reserves of this planet.

The Israel-Iran conflict, if it happens will be a conflict involving fighters, missiles, possibly submarines and special forces. Not like the land war of Iran-Iraq. And no country, baring Israel and USA, is going to go to war because of Iran.

Altair · Post by **Altair** » 26 Nov 2011 20:59

Russia's lone aircraft carrier and half dozen warships set to enter Iranian waters.
Source: Unconfirmed

They were earlier set to enter Syrian waters! Are we missing something?
WTF?

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 28 Nov 2011 22:06

Azeri journalist critical of Iran’s regime, Islamism, dies following stabbing

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Rafiq Tagi, a prominent Azeri journalist whose publications criticized Iran’s regime and Islam, has died in the capital of the ex-Soviet nation following a brutal assault.

Hospital official Adil Salahov said that the 61-year-old reporter died Wednesday, four days after he was stabbed six times by an unknown assailant.

Tagi claimed the attack was retaliation for his opinion piece published earlier this month that criticized the government of neighboring Iran.

The Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan said Tuesday that the claims were “ungrounded.”

In May 2007, Tagi was convicted and sentenced to prison for inciting hatred with an article criticizing Islam. Following international pressure, President Ilham Aliyev’s government granted amnesty to the reporter later that year.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 28 Nov 2011 22:40

Russia has already sent a naval task force to patrol the seas off Syria,in a move to pre-empt any western attack on Syria as was done with Libya.The Russian fleet entering Gulf waters therefore appears to be a similar warning to the west/Israel not to attack Iran and that Russia will if Iran is attacked ,support it both diplomatically and militarily.Iran already has significant Chinese support.The Saudis and other sheikdoms and desert "dy-nasties" like Qatar,dearly want the west or Israel to attack Iran,and Syria.

Iran has the ability to disrupt shipping transiting through the Gulf,plus it has had enough time to spread out its N-resources in diff. secret locations to avoid them being completely destroyed by western/Israeli attacks.More than the danger from eliminating much of Iran's N-capability,are the repercussions of such an attack.They first would not be able remove Ahmed-in-a jacket and actually unite the country and strengthen his support.Iran could also turn on the heat in both Iraq and Lebanon,where it has huge influence and support.It is not a rent-boy state like Pak.Remember the manner in which it fought Iraq supported to the hilt by the West during the Iran-Iraq war.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 29 Nov 2011 20:32

Iranian students storm British embassy in Tehran, take 6 hostages

TEHRAN: Dozens of hard-line Iranian students stormed the British embassy in Tehran on Tuesday, bringing down the Union Jack flag and throwing documents from windows in scenes reminiscent of the anger against Western powers after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The mob moved into the diplomatic compound two days after Iran's parliament approved a bill that reduces diplomatic relations with Britain following London's support of recently upgraded Western sanctions on Tehran over its disputed nuclear program.

The protesters broke through after clashing with anti-riot police and chanting for its takeover. "Death to England,'' some cried in the first significant assault of a foreign diplomatic area in Iran in years.

There was no immediate word on casualties or how many embassy employees were inside at the time of the assault, although it occurred after business hours had ended. More protesters poured into the compound as police tried to clear the site.

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 29 Nov 2011 20:47

Widely conflicting reports emerge of apparent explosion in the north-east of Isfahan near where nuclear facilities are located
...
Iran: explosion in Isfahan reported

Conflicting reports have emerged from Iran over an explosion heard in the central city of Isfahan, close to the country's sensitive nuclear facilities.

Iran's semi-official Isna news agency quoted a judiciary official in Isfahan, saying that an explosion had been heard.

"We heard a sound similar to that of an explosion but we have received no reports about its causes and the consequences so far," said Gholamreza Ansari, in quotes carried by Isna. He said the explosion did not appear to be of any significance.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency was one of the first media organisations to report the explosion, saying it was heard at 2.40pm local time (1110 GMT). Fars quoted the deputy governor, Mehdi Ismaili, as confirming a sound that the news agency reported was loud enough to be heard across the city. The agency, however, removed the article from its website sometime later.

Ismaili then spoke to another semi-official agency, Mehr, denying his quotes as reported by Fars. "I have heard no sound whatsoever in Isfahan," he said. Ismaili also told the Irna state news agency that he had not spoken to Fars in the first place.

Several residents of Isfahan told the Guardian that they had heard a loud blast. One said that it rattled the windows of their home.

Isfahan is home to Iran's uranium conversion facility (UCF), which operates under IAEA surveillance. Iran's main uranium enrichment facilities are situated in the city of Natanz to the north-east of Isfahan, where many of the country's centrifuges are installed. In recent years, Iran's nuclear activities at Natanz have been at the centre of an international dispute.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 30 Nov 2011 13:28

In an incident reminiscent of the infamous US embassy assault and hostage crisois that unseated Pres.Jimmy Carter,Iranian-UK relations took another nosedive.The British have not forgotten the Iranian London embassy sege 3 decades ago and the killing of policewoman Yvonne Fletcher in the incident.

British embassy staff leave Iran following ransacking of diplomatic offices
British embassy staff are being pulled out of Iran after two British diplomatic compounds in Tehran were ransacked, the Foreign Office has announced

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... fices.html

Xcpts:

Britain’s relations with the country were plunged into their worst crisis in decades after two embassy blocks were targeted, forcing diplomatic staff to seek refuge in secure rooms.

An FCO spokesman said: "The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have made clear that ensuring the safety of our staff and their families is our immediate priority. In light of yesterday's events and to ensure the ongoing safety, some staff are leaving Tehran."

When asked how many staff were leaving or if the embassy was going to remain open, he added: "We do not comment on our contingency plans and we will make any announcement about our embassy and staff at the appropriate time."

It follows extraordinary scenes yesterday at Britain’s embassy near Tehran’s central bazaar, where riot police simply stood by as demonstrators broke into the main building and tore down pictures of The Queen, looted sensitive documents, smashed windows and even threw petrol bombs.

Chanting “death to England”, the protesters - many of them organised by a student branch of the pro-regime Basiji militia - burned the British flag and set a car on fire in protest at sanctions imposed last week on the Iranian banking system

Diplomats were forced to seek refuge in a secure room behind reinforced doors and windows, from where they managed to use secure communications to alert London. According to one report, six embassy staff had to be rescued by police after being held hostage by the protesters for several hours.

Hundreds of demonstrators also surrounded a second compound, Gholhak Gardens in northern Tehran, where similarly chaotic scenes unfolded.

After chairing an emergency meeting of the Government’s crisis committee on Tuesday night, David Cameron described the assault as “outrageous and indefensible” and warned there would be “serious consequences” for the Iranian regime. William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, will address the House of Commons on Wednesday, where he is expected to detail retaliatory measures.

Iran’s government attempted to express regret for the incident, claiming police had tried to stop the protesters, but Mr Hague made clear he held the Iranian government responsible for the attack.

“The United Kingdom takes this irresponsible action extremely seriously,” Mr Hague said. “I spoke to the Iranian Foreign Minister this afternoon, to protest in the strongest terms about these events and to demand immediate steps to ensure the safety of our staff and of both Embassy compounds. While he said that he was sorry for what had happened and that action would be taken in response, this remains a very serious failure.”

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 02 Dec 2011 02:03

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ML01Ak01.html

Xcpt:

Iran delivers major blow to the CIA
By Mahan Abedin

Iran's claim last week to have arrested 12 spies working for the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is potentially a major blow to American intelligence-gathering efforts in Iran and to American intelligence generally. The arrests come on the heels of the arrest of 30 alleged CIA spies in late May and are indicative of steadily improving counter-intelligence capabilities.

The recent success is reinforced by the unraveling of a CIA spy ring in Lebanon operating within the Hezbollah organization. These reports have been grudgingly confirmed by current and former US intelligence officials, which is suggestive of a major American intelligence defeat, if not a full-blown disaster.

Recent Hezbollah counter-intelligence successes against Israel and the US (in June, Hezbollah arrested two CIA spies operating inside the organization) are at least in part due to increased
counter-intelligence assistance from Iran.

Asia Times Online sources in Tehran claim that Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) has been more willing in recent years to transfer sensitive counter-espionage know-how and techniques to both Hezbollah and the official Lebanese intelligence services. ....

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 02 Dec 2011 03:48

Iranian defense plan: Israeli intelligence analysts study scenarios
Jim Kouri
Public Safety Examiner

Continue reading on Examiner.com Iranian defense plan: Israeli intelligence analysts study scenarios - National public safety | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/public-safety-i ... z1fK9M6TWW

Xcpt:

Mohebbian wrote that overall goal of the Israel, the United States and other countries is the toppling of the current Iranian regime. After trying -- and failing -- to achieve this objective through various means such as an internal rebellion by more liberal Iranians, the are only two options left: weakening the regime to render it more vulnerable through tougher and tougher sanctions or launching a full-scale military attack.

Mohebbian then provides his readers with three possible scenarios of war against Iran: an all-out war combined with ground intervention; a limited war that includes action against the command centers of the regime aimed at promoting political objectives; and a selective war against specific targets aimed at stripping Iran of its offensive capabilities.

According to analysts at Meir Amit, the political commentator goes into great detail about the severe problems involved in a military campaign against Iran in each of the three scenarios. It is his assessment that the third scenario (selective war against specific targets) is the most plausible of the three, but even the likelihood of this scenario is not particularly high due to several reasons, including the difficulty of attacking a large number of targets, the possibility of a selective war developing into an all-out war, the regional environmental consequences of an attack on nuclear facilities, and the inability of such an attack to impact Iran’s scientific nuclear abilities.

Mohebbian asserts that the military option is brought up by Western nations as part of a psychological warfare campaign aimed at achieving a number of objectives: testing Iran’s reaction and the cohesion of the top echelon of its regime, mobilizing the support of Russia and China for sanctions against Iran, encouraging Arab countries to purchase American weapons to defend themselves against Iran, and forcing Iran into political concessions.

Mohebbian concludes his treatise with a discussion of Iran’s response to the threats it has received, arguing that the well-coordinated reactions by top regime officials and all of the country’s political factions reveal the inadequacy of the American strategy.

The commentator also argues that the Supreme Leader’s public remarks concerning the military threats are aimed to send several important messages to the West: Iran will not yield to pressure, there is internal unity among the decision makers, Iran has no offensive intentions and poses no threat to any country in the region, and its policy is dependent on the policy of the other side.

In other words, a reasonable policy by the United States will be met with a reasonable course of action, and any aggression will be met with a strong reaction.