Voice Of America: Iran’s leadership has been sharply criticized in congressional hearings on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers assess what steps the United States, Europe and others can take to avert a nuclear-armed Iran. The criticism, and testimony by experts, came amid Iranian warnings regarding what it calls U.S. aerial intelligence-gathering efforts, as well as European calls for stepped up diplomatic efforts.
Lawmakers Urge Strong US Position On Iran
Iran: Explosion in Tehran Bazaar
Iran Focus: Tehran, Feb. 17 A fire set ablaze stalls in the Goldsmiths Bazaar in Tehran this morning after a
spontaneous gas explosion. Eye-witnesses reported that a gas capsule exploded in one of the side roads of the bazaar.
Iran: Explosion in Tehran Bazaar
Iran Focus: Tehran, Feb. 17 A fire set ablaze stalls in the Goldsmiths Bazaar in Tehran this morning after a
spontaneous gas explosion. Eye-witnesses reported that a gas capsule exploded in one of the side roads of the bazaar.
Iran seeks long range missiles and remains ‘terrorism’ backer: CIA chief
AFP: Iran is stepping up efforts to build long range missiles and remains a “state sponsor” of terrorism, Central Intelligence Agency director Porter Goss told Congress on Wednesday.
“Iran continues its pursuit of long-range ballistic missiles,” Goss said in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee on the main security threats to the United States.
Conflicting Stories Given for Iran Blast
AP: An explosion was reported Wednesday in southern Iran near a nuclear power plant, with state-run media offering conflicting explanations for what happened, from blasting for dam construction, a fuel tank dropping from an Iranian plane, and friendly fire. The explosion came as Iran’s intelligence
chief accused the United States of flying spy drones over its nuclear sites and threatened to shoot down the aircraft.
Germany Urges Iran to Give Guarantees Over Nuclear Program
Bloomberg: German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer urged Iran to give guarantees that its nuclear program will be used for peaceful means, to allay concerns it may be developing nuclear weapons. The European Union, with Germany, the U.K. and France leading the negotiations, has been holding talks with Iran to persuade it to scrap its nuclear research program, while U.S. President George W. Bush has refused to rule out …
Iranian TV Reports Explosion Near Deilam
AP: Iranian state television said Wednesday that an explosion near Deilam may have been caused by a fuel tank accidentally dropping from an Iranian airplane in the region. The state-run television provided few details, but said local officials had told
it that may have been the cause of the unidentified explosion.
Syria and Iran Say to Build ‘Common Front’
Reuters: Iran and Syria, both locked in rows with the United States, said on Wednesday they will form a common front to face challenges and threats. “We are ready to help Syria on all grounds to confront threats,” Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref said in Tehran after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari.
U.S. Congress Begins New Push to Enforce Sanctions Against Iran
Bloomberg: U.S. lawmakers are beginning a new push to compel enforcement of a 1996 law imposing sanctions on foreign companies that do business in Iran, a move that might trigger a European Union protest to the World Trade Organization. Among the companies that would be vulnerable to the sanctions are Siemens AG, Royal Dutch/Shell Group and Total SA of Europe and Inpex Corp. of Japan.
Unknown aircraft fires missile in Iran – TV
Reuters: An unknown aircraft has fired a missile in a deserted area near the southern city of Dailam in the province of Bushehr where Iran has a nuclear power plant, Iranian state television reports.
