Iran Focus: Tehran, Feb. 21 Heavy clashes between Iranian Kurds and security agents erupted on Friday in three towns in western Iran, leaving dozens injured and hundreds arrested. Clashes broke out after State Security Forces agents used force to disperse demonstrations taking place simultaneously in the towns of Sardasht, Saqqez, and Baneh in protest against severe fuel shortages in the area, eye-witnesses reported.
Riots rock three Kurdish towns in Iran
Iran rejects EU call for nuclear compromise
AFP: Iran has rejected an EU call for Tehran draw up a compromise formula on uranium enrichment, saying it will not “sell out” its nuclear capabilities, a top negotiators said on Monday. “The Europeans want to get from Iran a total halt to enrichment, but in the face of our strong opposition they insisted in the negotiations that Iran propose an alternative which also covers enrichment,” Sirus Nasseri told the state news agency IRNA.
Iran says its nuclear skills not for sale
Reuters: Iran has reiterated that it will not bow to U.S. and European demands that it abandon uranium enrichment, stressing that its nuclear capability is “not for sale”. Tehran stood defiant on the nuclear issue as U.S. President George
W. Bush started a European tour which will include
discussions on Iran and other foreign policy issues.
The price paid for blogging Iran
BBC: Iran is becoming an increasingly dangerous place to keep an online diary. Web logs have become a popular forum for dissent. And the Iranian government has responded by arresting dozens of bloggers. Some of those detained are reportedly being held in solitary confinement and tortured.
Slovak Leader: Bush, Putin to Discuss Iran
AP: Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Ukraine are likely to dominate this week’s summit between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Slovakia’s prime minister said. Bush arrives in Slovakia late Wednesday after visiting Belgium and Germany. He will meet with Slovak officials on Thursday before his talks with Putin – Bush’s first meeting with the Russian leader since he began his second term.
Governor accuses Iran of meddling in Iraq
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Feb. 21 The governor of the Iraqi province of Wasit accused Tehran of meddling in Iraqi affairs, disrupting the peace, and creating instability and havoc in his province, which shares a common border with the Islamic Republic. “The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad came to meet me and called for friendly relations. I told him, the people of Al-Kut (Wasits capital) are suffering from Iranian agents who are involved in acts of theft, narcotics distribution, smuggling, and assassination of personalities”, he said, in an interview with the Baghdad journal Al-Shahid Al-Mostaqel on Friday.
Governor accuses Iran of meddling in Iraq
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Feb. 21 The governor of the Iraqi province of Wasit accused Tehran of meddling in Iraqi affairs, disrupting the peace, and creating instability and havoc in his province, which shares a common border with the Islamic Republic. “The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad came to meet me and called for friendly relations. I told him, the people of Al-Kut (Wasits capital) are suffering from Iranian agents who are involved in acts of theft, narcotics distribution, smuggling, and assassination of personalities”, he said, in an interview with the Baghdad journal Al-Shahid Al-Mostaqel on Friday.
An EU voice of caution
International Herald Tribune: During the run-up to the U.S.-led war against Iraq in early 2003, Javier Solana retreated from public view, more content to keep a very low profile out of character with his role as Europe’s top foreign policy chief than to engage in the bitter diplomatic exchanges over the pending war.
Jaafari’s possible ascent as Iraqi premier cause for concern: Senator Clinton
AFP: There are grounds for concern if Iraqi interim Vice President Ibrahim al-Jaafari is picked as Iraq’s new prime minister, Senator Hillary Clinton said Sunday, pointing to his ties to neighboring Iran. Clinton was interviewed from Iraq alongside Republican Senator John McCain, who said Jaafari appeared likely to become the next premier.
Tehran: Guess Who’s Trying to Infiltrate Iraq?
Newsweek: Fresh intel suggests that Tehran is trying to
expand its influence over whatever government emerges in postelection Iraq. According to U.S. officials familiar with the latest intelligence, the Iranian government has been secretly directing its agents inside Iraq to plant themselves in influential positions throughout the Iraqi governmentinto agencies …
