Iran shakes pillars of nuclear accord7 Feb 2008Summary: Little attention has been given to the various, intended or unintended, implications of the UN Security Council’s actions against Iran, often under the lame argument that “inaction is not an option”. But improper action is equally, if not additionally, harmful. source: Asia Timesread more
A Strike in the Dark7 Feb 2008Summary: There is evidence that the premptive raid on Syria was also meant as a warning about?and a model for?a premptive attack on Iran. source: New Yorkerread more
Two comparisons between Turkey and Iran7 Feb 2008Summary: Turkey’s economy is dependent on the IMF, its foreign policy on the US, its domestic policy on the EU, its military forces on the NATO, its stock market on hot money coming from abroad. So, one cannot help admiring countries that are not dependent on outside resources, such as our neighbour Iran. source: CASMIIread more
ElBaradei hails Iran cooperation progress7 Feb 2008Summary: The UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei said Iran has made breakthrough to resolve the dispute over its nuclear program. ElBaradei told the Kuwaiti-based daily al-Rai, published on Wednesday, that Tehran is expected to to have more cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. source: Al Bawabaread more
Urbana Voters Call on Congress to Explicitly Prohibit US Attack6 Feb 2008Summary: The text of the referendum was: “Shall the voters call upon their elected representatives in Congress to pursue all available means to prevent war with Iran, including passing legislation that would explicitly prohibit the President from attacking Iran without Congressional authorization?” source: Just Foreign Policyread more
A nuclear-free mirage6 Feb 2008Summary: Dilip HiroThe Middle East cannot be freed from weapons of mass destruction unless the US turns the spotlight on Israel source: The Guardianread more
Iran has launched 333 projects in Afghanistan6 Feb 2008Summary: An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said here on Wednesday that Iran has so far accomplished 333 big and small reconstruction projects, at the cost of $50 million, in the war-torn Afghanistan. source: IRNAread more
South Africa protests plan to sanction Iran6 Feb 2008Summary: KumaloSouth Africa on Tuesday protested a “rush” by the five veto-wielding Security Council members to adopt new United Nations sanctions against Iran, saying it wants to wait for a report from the U.N. nuclear agency later this month. source: APread more
Obama’s Iran policy stands in contrast to Clinton’s5 Feb 2008Summary: Phyllis BennisA lot of people are saying that there’s no real difference in foreign policy issues between the candidates. But have Obama’s statements about Iran made him stand out? The Real News asked Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies. source: The Real Newsread more
Iran dismisses U.S. concern over space drive5 Feb 2008Summary: TEHRAN, Feb. 5 (Xinhua)—Iran on Tuesday dismissed the U.S. concern over its drive to develop space technology, one day after Washington described the Islamic Republic’s launch of a rocket into space as “unfortunate.” source: China Viewread more
Accept Iran’s Regional Role, Says French Envoy4 Feb 2008Summary: Pierre VimontIn a sharp departure from U.S. policy, a leading French diplomat has called on the international coalition sponsoring UN sanctions against Iran to support a larger Iranian role in the Middle East. source: AntiWar.com / Inter Press Service read more
South Africa has doubts about new Iran sanctions4 Feb 2008Summary: Sounth Africa’ s flagUNITED NATIONS, Feb 5 (Reuters) – U.N. Security Council member South Africa on Tuesday expressed reservations about the timing of a draft sanctions resolution against Iran for its nuclear program as well as some of its provisions. source: Reutersread more
IAEA chief warns against military action to solve Iranian nuclear issue4 Feb 2008Summary: In an interview with Egyptian TV, ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said a military strike to settle the Iranian nuclear issue would complicate the situation and send the Middle East region into a vicious cycle of violence. source: China Viewread more
Iran tries to make up lost ground3 Feb 2008Summary: In conclusion, the net loss for Iran due to the US’s invasions is severe, outweighing the gains, no matter how tangible or significant the latter may be. The bottom line is they pale in comparison with the national security predicament rooted in the imperial presence of the US “leviathan” all around Iran’s national borders. source: Asia Times Onlineread more
Sanctions likely to backfire, warns Iran business3 Feb 2008Summary: NahavandianOne of Iran?s most senior business figures was in Britain last week to warn the government and the business sector that the US-led policy of discouraging commercial ties with Tehran was likely to backfire….... Mr Nahavandian dismissed the argument made by the US, UK and French governments that tougher economic sanctions would force the Iranian business community to pressure the leadership to alter its nuclear policy. source: FTread more
IAEA Director sees progress with Iran inquiry3 Feb 2008Summary: CAIRO (Reuters) – The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Sunday he was making progress in finishing an inquiry into Iran’s nuclear past ahead of his next report awaited by those powers mulling new sanctions. source: Reutersread more
Letter to Sunday Independent: The invasion of Iraq is not history, neither for the victims nor for McCain himself3 Feb 2008Summary: The invasion is certainly not history for the Iraqis, with over a million dead and still dying, or the young men and women from the Coalition who are losing their lives and limbs and minds every day, nor is it history for McCain himself, whose singing ?Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran ?? to the tune of The Beach Boy?s song, in his South Carolina Campaign in April warned the anti war movement of an unhinged militarist who could either end history or leave any survivors nostalgic for Bush?s ?peace loving?, ?progressive humanitarianism?! source: CASMIIread more
A Middle East free of WMD3 Feb 2008Summary: Over recent years, Iran has proudly promoted a historic idea: a “Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction”. What clearer illustration could there be of our peaceful aspirations for the region. Attempts to besmirch Iran’s reputation are absurd – Iran’s destiny cannot be considered in isolation from the collective destiny of the international community. The two are inextricable. source: The Guardianread more
Security Council states want more time on Iran sanctions1 Feb 2008Summary: WASHINGTON - France said Friday that some UN Security Council members were asking for more time to consider additional sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program. Without naming the countries, French enIsfahan Uranium Conversion Facilitiesvoy to Washington Pierre Vimont said a “few” members wanted to wait for Iran to clear up questions over its nuclear program with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog. source: AFPread more
Still Trying to Squeeze Iran31 Jan 2008Summary: Negotiating to the Iran nuclear standoff is the foreign policy item left on the desk. source: Timeread more
Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats Endorse Barack Obama31 Jan 2008Summary: SAN FRANCISCO, CA ? January 30, 2008 ? Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats (BAIAD) announced today that its members have voted for the organization to endorse Senator Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential primary election. source: Payvandread more
Editorial: Bush’s unaccomplished mission31 Jan 2008Summary: U.S. President George W. Bush won 70 bursts of applause during his 53-minute State of the Union address on Monday, yet the speech was little more than a danger exercise in fantasy and wish fulfillment. source: Middle East Timesread more
S.Africa hints at Iran nuclear resolution delay31 Jan 2008Summary: South Africa and other countries have expressed concerns that taking a tough line on Iran at this stage could derail what they see as positive signs in the negotiations between the IAEA and Tehran. “South Africa hopes no party will take action that will undermine the progress that has been made in the context of the IAEA” source: Reutersread more
Iranian rapprochement31 Jan 2008Summary: Recent months have brought signs of a growing rapprochement between Iran and Egypt. There have been exchanges of diplomatic visits and last Thursday saw President Hosni Mubarak for the first time speaking with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by telephone. source: Al-Ahramread more
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII)