Washington Post: When the Bush administration decided to invade Iraq two years ago, it envisioned a quick handover to handpicked allies in a secular government that would be the antithesis of Iran’s theocracy — potentially even a foil to Tehran’s regional ambitions. But, in one of the greatest ironies of the U.S. intervention, Iraqis instead went to the polls and elected a government with a strong religious base — and very close ties to the Islamic republic next door. Iraq Winners Allied With Iran Are the Opposite of U.S. Vision
Washington Post: When the Bush administration decided to invade Iraq two years ago, it envisioned a quick handover to handpicked allies in a secular government that would be the antithesis of Iran’s theocracy — potentially even a foil to Tehran’s regional ambitions. But, in one of the greatest ironies of the U.S. intervention, Iraqis instead went to the polls and elected a government with a strong religious base — and very close ties to the Islamic republic next door. Shia victory is blow to US line on Iran’s N-arms
Financial Times: The victory by Shia clerics in Iraq’s electionsis likely to complicate US efforts to press Iran to dismantle its nuclear programme.
The United Iraqi Alliance is dominated by two political parties formerly based in Iran, and many members of the bloc still have close ties with their Shia neighbour.
Iran policy group outlines new approach in dealing with Tehran
Iran Focus: Washington, Feb. 13 In a conference on Thursday, coinciding with the 26th anniversary of the revolution that toppled the Shah, a leading Iran-policy group in Washington discussed U.S. policy options towards the clerical state. The Iran Policy Committee, comprised of former officials from the White House, State Department, Pentagon, … Iran policy group outlines new approach in dealing with Tehran
Iran Focus: Washington, Feb. 13 In a conference on Thursday, coinciding with the 26th anniversary of the revolution that toppled the Shah, a leading Iran-policy group in Washington discussed U.S. policy options towards the clerical state. The Iran Policy Committee, comprised of former officials from the White House, State Department, Pentagon, … Iran threatens to resume uranium enrichment
Iran Focus: Tehran, Feb. 13 Iran will resume enriching uranium as part of its suspected nuclear weapons program’s once ordered to do so by the Majlis (parliament), according to a senior official from Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation (IAEO). Mohammad Saeedi, the IAEO’s deputy head of International Affairs and Planning, said that parliament will present a bill to “task Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation with meeting part of the fuel (demand) for the country’s atomic plants”.
Iran threatens to resume uranium enrichment
Iran Focus: Tehran, Feb. 13 Iran will resume enriching uranium as part of its suspected nuclear weapons program’s once ordered to do so by the Majlis (parliament), according to a senior official from Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation (IAEO). Mohammad Saeedi, the IAEO’s deputy head of International Affairs and Planning, said that parliament will present a bill to “task Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation with meeting part of the fuel (demand) for the country’s atomic plants”.
Clashes in Iran between people and Security Forces in first week of revolution anniversary
Iran Focus: Tehran, Feb. 13 – Thousands of people flooded the streets of Mahabad (northwest Kurdistan province in Iran) this morning, clashing violently with State Security Forces after days of gas, water, and electricity interruptions. According to local residents, household gas has been cut off in the town for the past four days, electricity has been out for more than 24 hours, and water was repeatedly cut off for several hours at a timeover the past day.
Clashes in Iran between people and Security Forces in first week of revolution anniversary
Iran Focus: Tehran, Feb. 13 – Thousands of people flooded the streets of Mahabad (northwest Kurdistan province in Iran) this morning, clashing violently with State Security Forces after days of gas, water, and electricity interruptions. According to local residents, household gas has been cut off in the town for the past four days, electricity has been out for more than 24 hours, and water was repeatedly cut off for several hours at a timeover the past day.
Iran to be taken to UN Security Council if restarts nuclear work: Fischer
AFP: German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer warned on Sunday that Iran would be referred to the UN Security Council if it resumed nuclear enrichment which could be used for weapons. “If Iran behaves in an unreasonable way, if for example it restarts enrichment… then that would lead to the Security Council,” Fischer told an international security conference in the German city of Munich. U.S. Uses Drones to Probe Iran For Arms
Washington Post: The Bush administration has been flying surveillance drones over Iran for nearly a year to seek evidence of nuclear weapons programs and detect weaknesses in air defenses, according to three U.S. officials with detailed knowledge of the secret effort. The small, pilotless planes, penetrating Iranian airspace from U.S. military facilities in Iraq, use radar, video, still photography and air filters designed to … 