New York Times: An Iranian opposition group said here on Thursday that Iran had built at least 15 advanced uranium enrichment machines that could speed production of nuclear fuel and asserted that the country would have hundreds more by next year.
Foes say Tehran builds fast uranium centrifuges
US rallying allies, partners on Iran
AFP: US President George W. Bush led a US diplomatic effort to ensure a united response to Iran’s nuclear program one week before Tehran may face United Nations sanctions.
Germany, too, is unsatisfied by Iran’s proposal
International Herald Tribune: Germany joined in criticizing the latest Iranian nuclear proposal Thursday, as an exiled opposition group charged that Iran was secretly building advanced centrifuges at a rate that could dramatically accelerate its production of nuclear fuel.
In muted response to Iran, U.S. and allies seek edge
New York Times: After demanding for three months that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment or face penalties, the formal reaction from the United States and its European allies to Irans refusal to suspend uranium enrichment has been decidedly low-key.
British leave Iraqi base; militia supporters jubilant
Washington Post: British troops abandoned a major base in southern Iraq on Thursday and prepared to wage guerrilla warfare along the Iranian border to combat weapons smuggling, a move that anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called the first expulsion of U.S.-led coalition forces from an Iraqi urban center.
Iran letter to Germany says both facing “tyranny”
Reuters: Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that their two countries had been subjected to “tyranny” from the World War Two victors and should cooperate to end the “imposed” world order.
Iran, N.Korea spur PAC-3 missile demand – Lockheed
Reuters: Fears of North Korea and Iran seem to be spurring broad interest in Patriot PAC-3 missile upgrades, an executive of Lockheed Martin Corp., the prime contractor, said on Wednesday.
U.S. eases harsh Iran response
UPI: Britain and France persuaded the U.S. administration to tone down condemnation of Iran’s response to a nuclear proposal, ABC News said Thursday.
Dealing with doubts over Iran’s intent
Christian Science Monitor – The Monitor’s View: Every day, air travelers willingly give up dangerous items in inspections because of uncertainty that one passenger might hijack the plane. A similar uncertainty now exists with Iran: Should it be forced to give up the potential to have nuclear weapons?
Pentagon suggests Iran is training Iraqi insurgents
VOA News: A senior military spokesman says there is clear evidence that Iran has directly aided insurgents in Iraq. Those comments follow Iraq’s deadliest month since the U.S.-led invasion, in terms of civilian casualties.
