Sunday Times: President George W Bush has told the Israeli government that he may be prepared to approve a future military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations with Tehran break down, according to a senior Pentagon official.
President George W Bush backs Israeli plan for strike on Iran
Official says Iran would destroy Israel if attacked
Reuters: Iran would destroy Israel and 32 U.S. military bases in the Middle East if the Islamic Republic was attacked over its disputed nuclear programme, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Iran confirms Total’s withdrawal from gas project
AFP: Iran's oil minister confirmed on Saturday that French energy giant Total has dropped out of a multi-billion-dollar gas investment in the Islamic republic, the state broadcaster reported.
Experts point to deceptions in Irans military display
New York Times: Iran’s war games this week featured more bluff and exaggeration than displays of menacing new power, military analysts said Friday.
Official: Iran missile tests used ‘old equipment’
AP: Iran's missile test this week did not demonstrate any new capabilities, according to a U.S. official familiar with the intelligence, and the test may not have included one of the longer-range missiles Iran claims was among those launched.
Iran apparently in possession of Photoshop
Washington Post: It's customary for nations to do a bit of chest-thumping as they are about to begin negotiations, which Iran has agreed to consider in a meeting next week with European Union official Javier Solana. The idea is to do something that your opponents will see as a sign of strength before talks begin, especially, in this case, when the talks involve your nuclear program.
Lawmaker wants review of US exports to Iran
AP: A lawmaker will seek a broad review of exports to Iran to see whether exemptions to U.S. trade sanctions are being abused. Cigarettes, bull semen and other goods have gone Iran's way as exports grew during President Bush's time in office.
McCain ‘right’ of Bush on Iran, Iraq, Holbrooke says
Bloomberg: John McCain would take a "harder line" toward Iraq, Iran and Russia than the Bush administration, said Richard Holbrooke, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
One missile too many
ABC News: Iran Doctored the Photo to Hide Failure of One Missle to Launch. It was the shot that captured the imaginations of picture editors all over the world. It provided a bold picture lead for the Los Angeles Times, the Financial Times, the Chicago Tribune and a host of leading news Web sites across the world.
EU expresses concern over Iran missile tests
Reuters: The European Union raised concerns on Friday over Iran's announcement this week that it conducted missile tests, and stepped up calls on it to suspend uranium enrichment within its disputed nuclear programme.
