Iran criticizes U.S.-led nuke exercise

DOHA, Qatar - A naval training exercise led by the U.S. and aimed at blocking smuggling of nuclear weapons began Sunday in the Persian Gulf, the first of its kind since North Korea's atomic bomb test and the renewed U.S. drive for sanctions against Iran's nuclear program.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061029/ap_on_re_mi_ea/gulf_maneuvers

Iran puts its foreign policy under scrutiny

Iran's foreign-policy establishment, considered a "closed box" by certain pundits in the West, has experienced dramatic changes since the rise to the presidency of Mahmud Ahmadinejad in August last year. The aim is to make the country's decision-making more efficient and successful, especially as the international row over Tehran's nuclear program intensifies.
By Kaveh L Afrasiabi , Asia Times , 28 October 2006
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Ahmadinejad's divine inspiration

Amid a struggle between two major clerical factions for control of Iran's influential Assembly of Experts, President Mahmud Ahmadinejad is trying to shore up his conservative base by portraying himself as a man with a direct link to God.
By Omid Memarian , Inter Press Service , 28 October 2006
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Iran reportedly enriches uranium as West mulls punishment for defiance

Iran stepped up its uranium enrichment program, a semiofficial news agency

reported, even as a divided U.N. Security Council considered a European draft resolution to impose sanctions over Tehran's nuclear activities.
By: NASSER KARIMI, Associated Press , 28 October 2006
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The strategic case for talking with Iran

Iraq and Iran are not separate issues. The United States cannot address the morass in Iraq without seeing it in a regional context and recognizing the painful truth that the strategic winner in the Iraq war is Iran.
By Thomas Raleigh , Christian Science Monitor , 26 October 2006
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U.S. differs with Europeans on Iran sanctions draft

Six major powers meet for the first time on Thursday over a European draft U.N. resolution banning Iranian trade on nuclear materials and ballistic missiles that has drawn criticism from the United States, diplomats said.
By Evelyn Leopold, Reuters , 26 October 2006
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Bush issues warning to Iran, Syria

US President George W. Bush on Wednesday urged Iran and Syria to support the governments of Iraq and Lebanon and warned against creating instability in those democracies. His comments came a day after US civilian and military leaders in Iraq linked Iran and Syria with Al-Qaeda as forces trying to tear the country apart and prevent the United States from establishing a stable democracy.
By The Daily Star , 26 October 2006
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World briefing Time for Bush to talk to Iran and Syria

Whatever else James Baker may recommend in his much-anticipated report on future US strategy in Iraq, it seems certain he will urge George Bush to open direct, high-level talks with Iran and Syria.
By: SIMON TISDALL, The Guardian , 25 October 2006
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US-backed draft would ban missile and nuclear sales to Iran

The United States, France and Britain will urge the U.N. Security Council to ban the sale of missile and nuclear technology to Iran for its defiance of demands to stop uranium enrichment, diplomats said Tuesday.
By GEORGE JAHN, AP NewsBreak , 25 October 2006
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Bolton: sanctions ‘help regime change’

Imposing economic and political sanctions against Iran and North Korea will help democratic forces in those countries as Washington pursues its “ultimate objective” of regime change, John Bolton, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said on Tuesday.
By Guy Dinmore and Daniel Dombey, The Financial Times , 25 October 2006
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US sends the wrong messages to Iran

The US media are inundated with reports that the recent United Nations resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea is meant as a "lesson" for Iran, and the United States' ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, has warned Tehran that it could face similar "international isolation" if it follows Pyongyang's path toward nuclear proliferation.
By Kaveh L Afrasiabi, Asia Times , 24 October 2006
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Iran suggests talks with West amid fading prospects for U.N. sanctions
Iran offered to talk with the West about its disputed nuclear program days before the U.S. and its partners are expected to circulate a draft resolution providing for limited sanctions against Tehran.
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press , 24 October 2006

http://www.iranexpert.com/news.htm

Iran's president warns of firm response in case of UN nuclear sanctions

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's firebrand president warned on Monday that his country would respond with an 'appropriate and firm response' to any UN sanction over its nuclear program. The comments by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came as key United Nations
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:46:00 GMT

Iran warns of response to nuke sanctions

TEHRAN, Iran Iran's firebrand president warned on Monday that his country would respond with an 'appropriate and firm response' to any U.N. sanction over its nuclear program. The comments by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came as key United Nations Security
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:29:00 GMT

Iran vows to continue nuclear activities

TEHRAN, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran said on Sunday that it will continue its peaceful nuclear activities after a second cascade of centrifuges at a uranium enrichment facility was launched, the official IRNA news agency reported. 'A second cascade (of
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:25:00 GMT

Iran's political clerics: A spent force?
Extract not available.
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:18:00 GMT

Iran's renewed call for regional security group

TEHRAN: Iran made a new call on Sunday for Gulf Arab states to form a group to maintain regional security, one day before a naval exercise in the Gulf involving the US and other navies. US officials have said 25 nations will take part in this week's
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:15:00 GMT

Iran threatens to respond sanctions firmly

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that Iran would make an ''appropriate and firm response'''' to any sanctions imposed U.N. Security Council because of the country's nuclear program. ''The Iranian nation will respond to restrictive activities
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:08:00 GMT

Iran: Sanctions Will Hurt Others

Iranian government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham said Oct. 30 sanctions the United Nations might impose over Iran's nuclear program will cause problems not only for his country, but will hurt other nations as well. Meanwhile, President Mahmoud
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:08:00 GMT

Iranian "Pigeon" successfully perches in Germany

TEHRAN -- The Iranian play "Pigeon, a Sudden" has been successfully staged in Mulheim, Germany, the director said on Monday. The cast performed on Oct. 20 at the Theater an der Ruhr, where they also attended at a question and answer session arranged by
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:03:00 GMT

Chinese festival honors Iranian actor

TEHRAN -- China's 15th annual Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Film Festival awarded Iranian star Parsa Piruzfar its best actor prize for his role in director Azizollah Hamidnejad's "Tears of Cold" on Saturday. "Tears of Cold" is set in Kordestan at the
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:03:00 GMT

German photographer to click for Iranian visual artists

TEHRAN -- German filmmaker-turned-photographer Gottfried Junker recently traveled to Iran to take photos of a number of Iranian visual artists for a book he is working on, the Persian service of ISNA reported on Sunday. "One of my reasons for choosing
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:03:00 GMT

Iran warns of response to nuke sanctions

Iran's firebrand president warned on Monday that his country would respond with an 'appropriate and firm response' to any U.N. sanction over its nuclear program. The comments by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came as key United Nations Security Council members were
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:01:00 GMT

Russia weighs in on Iran
The brief statement after a telephone conversation was the latest indication that Russia opposes sanctions against Iran and believes the international community should try to defuse tension through talks. With Iran threatening a firm response to any
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:43:00 GMT

U.S. seeks guarantees over Iran nuclear reactor

WASHINGTON - The United States wants guarantees that a Russian-built nuclear reactor in Iran will not advance a weapons program but does not think differences over the issue will block a U.N. sanctions resolution against Tehran, a senior U.S. official
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:43:00 GMT

Iran Warns of Response to Nuke Sanctions

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's firebrand president warned on Monday that his country would respond with an 'appropriate and firm response' to any U.N. sanction over its nuclear program. The comments by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came as key United Nations Security
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:38:00 GMT

Iran Warns of Response to Nuke Sanctions

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's firebrand president warned on Monday that his country would respond with an 'appropriate and firm response' to any U.N. sanction over its nuclear program. The comments by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came as key United Nations Security
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:37:00 GMT

Iran Warns of Response to Nuke Sanctions

TEHRAN, Iran Oct 30, 2006 (AP)- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday that Iran would make an 'appropriate and firm response' to any sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council because of the country's nuclear program. 'The Iranian nation will
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:34:00 GMT

U.S., allies hold anti-WMD drill at Iran's doorstep

Oct 30, 2006 - ABOARD RFA BRAMBLELEAF (Reuters) - Twenty five nations took part in a U.S.-led naval exercise on Monday in waters not far from Iran aimed at training forces to block the transport of weapons of mass destruction and related equipment. The
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:31:00 GMT

Iran Warns of Response to Nuke Sanctions

Iran's firebrand president warned on Monday that his country would respond with an 'appropriate and firm response' to any U.N. sanction over its nuclear program. The comments by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came as key United Nations Security Council members were
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:25:00 GMT

Iran warns of response to nuke sanctions

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's firebrand president warned on Monday that his country would respond with an 'appropriate and firm response' to any U.N. sanction over its nuclear program. The comments by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came as key United Nations Security
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:25:00 GMT

U.N. watchdog still hopes for nuclear talks with Iran

U.N. watchdog still hopes for nuclear talks with Iran UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran has yet to satisfy U.N. watchdogs that its nuclear program seeks only to produce electric power and not bombs, the head of the U.N. nuclear agency told the General
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:25:00 GMT

U.N. watchdog still hopes for nuclear talks with Iran

U.N. watchdog still hopes for nuclear talks with Iran UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran has yet to satisfy U.N. watchdogs that its nuclear program seeks only to produce electric power and not bombs, the head of the U.N. nuclear agency told the General
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:23:00 GMT

UN sanctions would only motivate Iran: Ahmadinejad
Extract not available.
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:14:00 GMT

US seeks guarantees over Iran nuclear reactor

The United States wants guarantees that a Russian-built nuclear reactor in Iran will not advance a weapons program but does not think differences over the issue will block a U.N. sanctions resolution against Tehran, a senior U.S. official said on Monday.
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:13:00 GMT

Iran nuclear plans still a 'serious concern' - IAEA

By Reuters Monday October 30, 11:25 PM By Irwin Arieff UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran has yet to satisfy U.N. watchdogs that its nuclear program seeks only to produce electric power and not bombs, the head of the U.N. nuclear agency told the General
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:12:00 GMT

Putin tells Iran Russia wants more nuclear talks

By Reuters Tuesday October 31, 02:05 AM MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a telephone conversation on Monday that Moscow favoured further talks on Iran's nuclear programme, the Kremlin
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:12:00 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran has yet to satisfy U.N. watchdogs that its nuclear program seeks only to produce electric power and not bombs\, the head of the U.N. nuclear agency told the General Assembly on Monday.');">U.N. watchdog still hopes for

By Reuters Tuesday October 31, 02:05 AM By Irwin Arieff UNITED

NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran has yet to satisfy U.N. watchdogs that its nuclear program seeks only to produce electric power and not bombs, the head of the U.N. nuclear agency told the General
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:12:00 GMT

Iran Nuclear Plans Still a 'Serious Concern' to IAEA

UNITED NATIONS-Iran has yet to satisfy U.N. watchdogs that its nuclear program seeks only to produce electric power and not bombs, the head of the U.N. nuclear agency told the General Assembly on Monday. Iran has neither suspended its nuclear
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:07:00 GMT

U.N. watchdog still hopes for nuclear talks with Iran

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran has yet to satisfy U.N. watchdogs that its nuclear program seeks only to produce electric power and not bombs, the head of the U.N. nuclear agency told the General Assembly on Monday. Iran has neither suspended its nuclear
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:07:00 GMT

Russia's GAZ Group plans to assemble Gazel vehicles in Iran
Extract not available.
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:57:00 GMT

UN sanctions will motivate Iran: Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday said that any United Nations Security Council sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme would only serve to further 'motivate' the nation. 'We have been under sanctions for the past 27 years and these things
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:57:00 GMT
http://news.nabou.com/world/iran_news.html

The U.S. and Iran: Democracy, Terrorism, and Nuclear Weapons
Stephen Zunes July 26, 2005

The election of the hard-line Teheran mayor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, over former President Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani as the new head of Iran is undeniably a setback for those hoping to advance greater social and political freedom in that country. It should not necessarily be seen as a turn to the right by the Iranian electorate, however. The 70-year old Rafsanjani—a cleric and penultimate wheeler-dealer from the political establishment—was portrayed as the more moderate conservative. The fact that he had become a millionaire while in government was apparently seen as less important than his modest reform agenda. By contrast, the young Teheran mayor focused on the plight of the poor and cleaning up corruption.

In Iran, real political power rests with unelected military, economic, and right-wing ideologues, and in the June 25 runoff election, Iranian voters were forced to choose between two flawed candidates. The relatively liberal contender came across as an out-of-touch elitist, and his ultraconservative opponent was able to assemble a coalition of rural, less-educated, and fundamentalist voters to conduct a pseudopopulist campaign based on promoting morality and value-centered leadership. Such a political climate should not be unfamiliar to American voters.

Washington’s primary criticisms of Teheran focus on the Iranian government’s suppression of political freedom, its support for terrorism and subversion, and its nuclear program.

I don't like the way this article was written, but these facts shuld remind us as to who were dealing with.

03 October 1997

TOTAL'S CONTRACT WITH IRAN: A CHALLENGE TO 'PAX AMERICANA'?

The announcement on Sunday by the French energy company, Total, that a consortium it leads had signed a $2-billion contract with Iran to develop a major gas field in the Persian Gulf moved editors in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to conclude that a "major confrontation" was in the making between the U.S. and the EU over trade sanctions against Iran.

At issue are sanctions outlined in the 1996 Iran-Libya Sanctions Act--also referred to as the D'Amato act-- which would require President Clinton to impose sanctions on any foreign country investing more than $40 million a year in Iran or Libya's energy industries. Paris's right-of-center Le Figaro predicted a particularly dire situation:

"Between the U.S. and Europe, we are in for a war with commercial and political repercussions." A majority of commentators focused on what they said was the "center of the debate": international objection to what they perceived as the U.S.' imposition of "extra-territorial" legislation in contravention of international laws of commerce. Without exception, analysts railed against what they saw as U.S. attempts to "legislate to the world." "The arrogance with which the U.S. tramples on international law and the WTO...cannot be accepted," intoned left-of-center Frankfurter Rundschau. A number of observers saw in the French-led consortium's deal-making with Iran a challenge to the world's remaining superpower and its "Pax Americana." Moscow's reformist, business-oriented Kommersant Daily judged that "suddenly”, both Europe and Russia [are] flaunting their independence from the Americans. America's striving for domination does not endear it to Europe and prompts the Europeans to form a united opposition front."

In Cairo, pro-government Al-Ahram contended that the French company's move "took courage" and that this "French defiance should be an example to all countries" that must deal with America. One daily in Islamabad implored Muslims the world over to "take a unified action...to reject U.S. extra-territorial legislation on Muslim and non-Muslim countries alike." A few media voices targeted their criticism at more than just the U.S., seeing "opportunism" as the deciding factor for all nations--including the Europeans--as they pursue their foreign policy and economic agendas.

Other commentators examined the possible courses President Clinton might take to head off a full-fledged "trade war" between the U.S. and the EU over Iran. Many agreed with Paris's right-of-center Le Figarothat this was the dilemma facing the U.S. president: "To punish Total means to enter into a major crisis with Europe.... To do nothing would mean recognizing America's weakness." A number of analysts joined London's liberal Guardian in its call for "calm diplomacy" and compromise between the trading partners. Several pundits held out hope that a solution would be forth coming. Others, however, were far less sanguine. Ankara's pro-Islamic Zaman, for example, insisted that America will not bend on its policy toward Iran.

Only a minority of observers addressed what one referred to as "the main question: What to do with Iran, which is suspected of being involved in terrorism?" A few, concluding that the U.S. policy of isolating Iran has been a "failure," endorsed the EU's "critical dialogue" policy of limited engagement with Tehran. But more acknowledged that really "nobody knows how to deal with a provocative state like Iran that challenges the international community."

This survey was based on 42 reports from 18 countries, Sept 29-Oct 3.

EDITOR: Diana McCaffrey and Kathleen Brahney

http://www.fas.org/news/iran/1997/97100301_rmr.html