UPI: A funny thing happened during Tehran’s effort to present itself as a major player on the world stage and in Middle East diplomacy: the largest country in the region criticized in no uncertain terms the actions of Iran’s client state, Syria.
U.S. should unleash Iran’s opponents
What we know about Iran’s nukes
Wall Street Journal: The regime’s most secure uranium-enrichment site has doubled capacity since May, and its suspected top bomb-maker is back on the case.
Iran sends elite troops to aid Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria
Daily Telegraph: Iran is intensifying its support for the regime of Bashar al-Assad by sending 150 senior Revolutionary Guards commanders to Syria to help repel opposition attempts to overthrow the government.
U.S. admiral visits Israel amid Iran chatter
Reuters: The vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Israel’s defense minister on Thursday, in a display of alliance after the two countries expressed differences over Iran.
Iraq’s role in Syria war poses problems for US
AP: Iraq’s acquiescence in possibly allowing Iranian weapons deliveries to the Syrian regime demonstrates Washington’s limited influence in postwar Iraq, its inability to halt Syria’s 18-month conflict and its continued struggle against Tehran for supremacy in the region.
Iran hosts Islamic resistance festival
Washington Post: In a 300-year-old former caravansary, representatives from Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Amal movements, as well as Hamas and Islamic Jihad from the Palestinian territories, gathered Wednesday for the start of the third International Conference and Festival of Islamic Resistance, a two-day event.
Iraq in chaos – the legacy of western intervention
PublicServiceEurope: But the mullahs in neighbouring Iran would not tolerate Allawi as Iraq’s PM and cajoled their cohorts like Muqtada Al Sadr and Amar al-Hakim, to join forces with al Maliki to form a coalition.
Iran denies alleged nuclear work at suspect site
AP: An Iranian envoy is denying allegations that Tehran worked on developing nuclear arms at a military facility and then covered up the site to hide suspected clean-up efforts.
IAEA shows diplomats images of suspected Iran nuclear clean-up
Reuters: The U.N. nuclear watchdog showed a series of satellite images on Wednesday that added to suspicions of clean-up activity at an Iranian military site it wants to inspect, Western diplomats said, but Tehran’s envoy dismissed the presentation.
Russian firm to halt Iran ship work as pressure grows
Reuters: A Russian firm has decided to stop verifying safety and environmental standards for one of Iran’s biggest shipping groups, a letter showed, the latest international company wary of being caught up in Western sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
