Voice of America: Experts and other witnesses appearing before a congressional committee say Iran continues to support terrorist groups and is encouraging instability in Iraq. A hearing also included emotional testimony by individuals affected by Iranian-backed terrorism. From Israel and the Palestinian territories to Iraq and elsewhere, witnesses at Wednesday’s hearing said Iran’s ongoing sponsorship of terrorism is indisputable, and poses a direct and continuing threat to U.S. interests.
Iran Continues Support of Terrorism, US Congress Told
After Iraq, Iran the new threat as Bush heads to Europe
AFP: When US President George W. Bush comes to town next week, Washington’s European allies will be hoping to extinguish the heat of transatlantic rancour over Iraq. But just
as one issue gets switched to the backburner for Bush’s participation next Tuesday in EU and NATO summits, another in the form of Iran’s nuclear ambitions threatens a fresh flare-up.
Iran and Syria confront US with defence pact
The Guardian: Iran and Syria heightened tension across the Middle East and directly confronted the Bush administration yesterday by declaring they had formed a mutual self-defence pact to confront the “threats” now facing them. The move, which took the Foreign Office by surprise, was announced after a meeting in Tehran between the Iranian vice-president, …
Iran blast panics financial markets
The Independent: An explosion which turned out to be a dam blast in southern Iran sent jitters through financial markets amid speculation that the country’s only nuclear reactor had come under attack. The incident came as Iran and Syria announced yesterday that they would “form a common front” against external threats, and a day after the Islamic state confirmed that unmanned American spy planes were flying surveillance missions over nuclear facilities.
Lawmakers Urge Strong US Position On Iran
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.
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 …
