Iran appoints new air force chief

0
Associated Press: IRAN appointed a US-trained fighter pilot as its new air force chief, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported today.
General Karim Ghavami replaced General Reza Pardis. IRNA gave no reason for the switch, made by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran will keep nuclear technology “at any cost”: former president

0
AFP: Iran will hang on to its sensitive nuclear technology “at
any cost” despite pressure from the United States and the Europeans, powerful former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Thursday.
“The United States and Europe absolutely do not want us to possess nuclear technology but we are determined … ”

Iran gets tough on foreign-language advertising

0
Middle East Online: Iranian traders were given a stern warning Wednesday to stop using only foreign languages in advertising, company logos or shop signs, an official in the ministry of culture and Islamic guidance said.
“There is a law dating back to 1996 that aims to preserve the Farsi language, ” …

Renault to produce cars in Iran

0
BBC: French carmaker Renault has unveiled plans to build its new budget car, the Dacia Logan, in Iran. The car is designed to help Renault boost its sales in emerging markets.
The Logan will be built in Iran by Renault Pars, a joint venture with Iran’s Industrial Development and Renovation Organisation (IDRO).

19 armed Iranian agents arrested in Iraq

0
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Oct. 6 – Nineteen armed agents of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) were detained by Iraqi security forces, Iraqi security officials said. The gunmen were arrested in the Iraqi province of Babil carrying large quantities of illegal drugs.
The 19 men were part of a group of 26 people who had illegally crossed the Iranian border into Iraq during the Shiite religious festivities marking the birthday of the twelfth Shiite imam …

19 armed Iranian agents arrested in Iraq

0
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Oct. 6 – Nineteen armed agents of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) were detained by Iraqi security forces, Iraqi security officials said. The gunmen were arrested in the Iraqi province of Babil carrying large quantities of illegal drugs.
The 19 men were part of a group of 26 people who had illegally crossed the Iranian border into Iraq during the Shiite religious festivities marking the birthday of the twelfth Shiite imam …

2 Iranian Brothers Held 3 Years May Be Freed on Bail

0
Los Angeles Times: Two of four Iranian brothers jailed three years ago because of their alleged ties to a terrorist group may be released on bail while they pursue appeals in their asylum cases, an appellate court has ordered.
The other two brothers, however, must remain locked up because they failed to appeal the government’s refusal to grant them asylum, the court said.

Iran eyes improved missile capability

0
Reuters: Iran said on Wednesday it would keep improving its missile capability after announcing that the latest version of its medium-range Shahab-3 could now hit targets up to 2,000 km (1,250 miles) away.
The Islamic Republic’s growing missile range, which now stretches to parts of southeastern Europe, comes at a time …

Young men flogged in public in Isfahan

0
Iran Focus: Tehran, Oct. 6 – Three young men were flogged in public yesterday afternoon in Farah-Abad Square in the city of Isfahan.
No reason was given as to why the three men were flogged.
Security forces have recently launched a new clampdown on youth and women in Isfahan …

Iran rejects IAEA nuclear demands, says ready for confrontation or talks

0
AFP: Iran will not cede to international demands that it suspend all activities related to the enrichment of uranium and the country is prepared for both confrontation or negotiations, the Islamic republic’s top national security official said. “We have said clearly that we will not apply the second part of the resolution concerning the total suspension of enrichment,” …