Iran rejects Israel's claim on weapon shipment
As the UN Fact-Finding committee's report on Gaza issue led by Richard Goldstone was being examined in the UN General Assembly meeting, Israeli representative at the UN pointed out to seizure of the ship and said anti-tank missiles were seen among the weapons and claimed that the weapons were heading for Hezbollah in Lebanon. - 11/7/09
Lebanon Opposition Agrees to Unity Government
The new 30-minister Cabinet will include 15 ministers from Mr. Hariri's coalition, 10 from the opposition, and five to be appointed by President Michel Suleiman. - 11/7/09
The future of Iranian-American relations
despite concerted efforts by the Israeli right wing and its allies in the US Senate to escalate the situation and manufacture the next war in western Asia, there has been movement toward a "cold peace" between Iran and the United States. The changed rhetoric of Obama has been seen as an opening by the foreign policy establishment in Iran, which has, in recent months, increased its independence from the fractious domestic politics of the country. -Arshin Adib-Moghaddam - 11/6/09
Afghan Election Officials Declare Karzai Winner
The commission chief Azizullah Ludin said Monday President Karzai would keep his post because he was the winner of the first round of voting in August, and the only candidate in the second round which had been scheduled for November 7. - 11/2/09
US had 'sporadic' contacts with Jundallah: Report
After the US vehemently denied having links to terrorists involved in a bombing attack in Iran, a former top army general in Pakistan and a former CIA case officer reveal more details about US contacts with Jundallah. - 10/31/09
Yemen, Iran trade Accusations About Houthi Rebels
Yemen's government has confirmed reports its coast guard has seized an Iranian ship with arms it says were destined for Yemeni rebels. Iranian media counters the Yemeni government is using al-Qaida in its war against the Shi'ite rebels. - 10/29/09
Iran criticizes UAE for not extending residence of some Iranian nationals
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman criticized the UAE for not extending residence of a number of Iranian nationals who have lived in the UAE for a long time. - 10/29/09
Larijani says Iran-Turkey cooperation can strengthen regional security
Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Wednesday Iran-Turkey cooperation can strengthen security in the region. Larijani in a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tehran, pointed out to regional developments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine and said Iran and Turkey's roles in the countries complete each other. - 10/28/09
Iran, Turkey stress maturing economic cooperation
Commercial exchanges between Iran-Turkey have totalled 11 billion dollars over recent years and the two countries are able to raise the amount by over 20 billion dollars. The remarks came by Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tehran - 10/28/09
Relations Between Turkey, Israel Continue to Falter
For more than a decade Turkey and Israel have enjoyed close military cooperation including joint naval exercises that have taken place since they signed a military cooperation agreement in 1996. But relations between the two countries have cooled since Ankara criticized Israel's offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in December and January. Most recently, Turkey postponed a joint air force drill after opposing Israel's participation. - 10/28/09
Ahmadinejad hails Erdogan's nuclear support
Ahmadinejad, in a statement on the presidential website, said he "appreciates" Erdogan's stand on Iran's controversial atomic programme and on Israel, believed to be the Middle East's sole but undeclared nuclear state. -AFP - 10/27/09
Iran, Pakistan reach comprehensive security agreements
Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar has said that Iran and Pakistan have reached significant agreements on various security issues. The two countries have agreed to boost border security, exchange information on security matters, and increase cooperation in the campaigns against drugs and human trafficking, he said in Islamabad on Saturday. - 10/25/09
Israel 'met Iran' at atomic talks
Senior Israeli and Iranian officials have met face-to-face and discussed the threat of nuclear arms, Israel says. Iran had denied the Israeli accounts, but if confirmed it would be the first official exchange between the bitter foes since Iran's 1979 revolution. -BBC - 10/22/09
Iran, Powers Get Draft Nuclear Deal For Approval
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Muhammad el-Baradei says Iran and world powers have agreed to consider a draft accord drawn up to help end the dispute over Iran's nuclear program. - 10/21/09
Afghan Election Runoff Comes With Second Round Of Obstacles
As expected, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has welcomed the Independent Election Commission's announcement that a second-round vote will be necessary to determine whether he or former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah will be the country's next leader. - 10/21/09
Afghan immigrants find refuge in oil-rich Iran
As the world’s second largest oil producer, Iran’s economy has been cushioned by the economic downturn. Though Iran has been branded a nuclear outlaw and supporter of terrorism, to its neighbors, Iran is a model of stability. It is estimated that approximately 3 million Afghan immigrants in Iran are doing low-skill labor. -World Focus - 10/21/09
Endorsing Gaza war report, UN Human Rights Council condemns Israel
The Human Rights Council today strongly condemned a host of Israeli measures in the occupied Palestinian territory and called on both sides to implement the recommendations of a United Nations commission that found evidence that Israel and the Palestinians committed serious war crimes in the three-week Gaza war nine months ago. - 10/17/09
Obama's Iran Policy Is Misguided
Here is what Obama said in his Inaugural Address: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." -Jalal Alavi - 10/16/09
Turkey-Israel Row Could Signal Geopolitical Change In Region
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that his decision to bar Israel from taking part in NATO military exercises this week was based on "diplomatic sensitivities" and public opinion in his country. - 10/16/09
Some See Iran as Ready for Nuclear Deal
The analysts cite a confluence of factors, from Iran’s internal political crisis to the change in leadership in Washington, and one overriding point: Iran’s leadership may have achieved much of what it set out to accomplish when it stepped up its clandestine nuclear program in 1999. -New York Times - 10/15/09
Iran-Egypt rapprochement plan back on track?
In what appears to be a step toward the normalization of relations between Iran and Egypt, the two sides hold high-level talks in the red sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar and his Egyptian counterpart Habib Ibrahim el-Adly discussed a wide range of regional issues on the sidelines of the sixth meeting of interior ministers of Iraq's neighbor states. - 10/15/09
At What Cost the Israel Lobby?
More than 46 years ago, President John F. Kennedy sought to preclude a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. In June 1963, he wrote the last in a series of insistent letters to Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. Those letters sought what Israel now demands of Iran: international inspections of its nuclear facilities. -Jeff Gates - 10/13/09
Afghanistan, Iran Lead Clinton Agenda for European Trip
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton departed late Friday for a five-day trip to Europe and Russia. The trip will be filled with high-level talks about the war in Afghanistan, Iran's nuclear ambitions and a new pact to control nuclear arms in the U.S. and Russia. - 10/10/09
Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
U.S. President Barack Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize: "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" - Norwegian Nobel Committee - 10/9/09
Will Tel Aviv Take the U.S. to War – Again?
The same old Israeli duplicity is back but with a new twist. And, importantly, ably aided by a new commander-in-chief. As with the deception that induced the invasion of Iraq, war in Iran also requires weaving a web of consensus beliefs from threads of deceit. -Jeff Gates - 10/9/09
Clinton to Attend Turkey-Armenia Normalization Deal Signing
The United States has been heavily involved over the years in efforts to achieve a reconciliation between longtime antagonists Turkey and Armenia. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Philip Gordon, who announced the Secretary's intention to attend the Zurich event, says it will underline the United States' commitment to see the process through to full normalization. - 10/9/09
Obama's promise of change could affect Iran-U.S. ties: Rafsanjani
In a meeting with Swiss Ambassador Livia Leu Agosti, whose country represents the U.S. interests section in Iran, Rafsanjani said Obama was elected president for his promise of change and many countries pinned their hopes on his promise to bring change to U.S. policy. - 10/8/09
Iranian-born US Nurse Brings Medicine and Education to Afghan Women
In this week's edition of our series Making a Difference, we meet an Iranian-born woman who says education is the best way to help the people of Afghanistan, especially women and children. In 2001, Fary Moini traveled to Pakistan where she volunteered in a refugee clinic, helping to deliver babies. She says the lack of supplies was shocking. - 10/8/09
Iran Envoy Denies Iraqi Official's Remarks Over Its Stances On Joint Rivers
Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi recently complained about water shortage in his country attributing a part of it to Iran stances over joint waters of the two countries. He also claimed despite remarks by Iranian officials, Iran's behavior toward the neighboring country is irresponsible and unfair. - 10/8/09
Saudi King Visits Syria
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah arrived in Syria for a two-day visit aimed at mending ties between the two rival nations. The visit is the first by a Saudi ruler since the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. - 10/8/09
Will Israel Ensure that History Repeats Itself?
The lead-up to the first U.S.-Iran talks in three decades saw a replay of the same modus operandi that induced the U.S. and its allies to invade Iraq in March 2003. Then as now, the invasion of Iran is consistent with a regime change agenda for Greater Israel described in a 1996 strategy document prepared by Jewish-Americans for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. -Jeff Gates - 10/5/09
Nuclear talks: Iran agrees to meet US, world powers twice more in October
Iran appeared to understand there was new urgency on the nuclear issue, agreeing at the Geneva talks to open its second enrichment facility to inspectors. -CSM - 10/2/09
Israel Tones Down Warnings of Strike on Iran as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Israel has for some time warned it is ready to launch preemptive strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities at any time. With international pressure growing on Iran to freeze its nuclear program, analysts say Israeli leaders are toning down those warnings and giving diplomacy a chance to work. - 10/2/09
U.S. Interests vs. The Jewish State
Barack Obama's recent conduct at the U.N. removed all remaining doubt as to Israeli influence inside this latest U.S. presidency. When he uttered the phrase "the Jewish state of Israel," he provided precisely the provocation required to ensure that peace in the Middle East will continue to be deferred. -Jeff Gates - 9/29/09
Nuclear Non-Proliferation: The Missing Words
President Obama declared, "Iran is breaking rules that all nations must follow." That's not a true statement. It's missing five words. The truth required him to say all nations "with the exception of Israel." -Alan Hart - 9/28/09
Will Israel Fall in Five Years?
Online reports of a study by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency cast doubt over the survival of Israel beyond the next two decades. Regardless of the validity of the report, with what is now known about the costs in blood and treasure that the U.S.-Israeli relationship has imposed on the U.S., its key ally, Israel could fall within five years. -Jeff Gates - 9/23/09
Iran's Ahmadinejad Promotes Holocaust Denial on Eve of UN Visit
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is again highlighting his denial of the Holocaust, saying the anger his comments provoke is a source of pride. Mr. Ahmadinejad's comments Monday come shortly before he heads to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. - 9/22/09
Russian President Says Israel Not Planning to Strike Iran
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev says Israeli officials have assured him that they are not planning a military strike on Iran. - 9/20/09
CIA Chief Makes High-Profile Recruiting Trip to Arab-American Community
Director Panetta wants to loosen security clearance restrictions for employees with relatives in Iran or Lebanon making it easier for them to join the agency. His appearance here was well received. Many felt it was a long overdue sign the Arab community is an accepted part of the American fabric. - 9/19/09
Iranian Opposition Protesters Take To Streets Of Tehran, Other Cities
Tens of thousands of people wearing green accessories -- the sign of the opposition -- have come out on to the streets of Tehran and other major cities for the first mass protests against the Iranian government in two months. Clashes were reported between the opposition protestors and supporters of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, backed by police and Basij militia vigilantes. It is not yet known how many protesters were arrested. - 9/18/09
Ahmadinejad Once Again Claims Holocaust A Myth
Ahmadinejad has again called the Holocaust a lie by Western nations designed to create a pretext for the creation of the Jewish state of Israel. - 9/18/09
Iranian Opposition Vows To Turn Quds Day Green
The founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, designated the last Friday of Ramadan as a day for Iranians and Muslims to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian people and their cause. But this year, Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) could instead reexpose the fissures that exist as a result of Iran's severe political crisis. - 9/17/09
The International "Green" Qods Day: Stop Assault!
The anniversary of Qods Day is on its ways. Although this time in grief of the martyrs of freedom tears were unveiled and this hidden secret was revealed to the world. The desire of a nation, as old as the civilization, for freedom is being interrogated. Those interrogators that in competition with their brutal challengers did not even show mercy to the families of those martyred in the war that was imposed by the same challengers. -Mohammad Sadeghi - 9/17/09
IRAN: Book says U.S. spies pump Dubai visa applicants for intel
The CIA stepped in to prevent the United States from closing a consulate in the Persian Gulf city-state of Dubai, arguing that it was a gold mine of human intelligence from Iran. -LA Times - 9/17/09
Should Iranians Care About Jerusalem?
In Iran, though, this year's "Day of Jerusalem" has already acquired special importance. Reformist groups, still alive and active despite brutal suppression, have announced that on that day they will launch new demonstrations against President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, whom they accuse of rigging the presidential election three months ago. - 9/16/09
How Israel's Nuclear Arsenal Endangers Us All
On September 24th, U.S. President Barack Obama will preside over a U.N. Security Council session on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. The next six months could prove hopeful or harmful�depending on the impact on Israel's nuclear arsenal. With U.S. backing, Tel Aviv has thus far avoided compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty�joining North Korea, India and Pakistan. -Jeff Gates - 9/16/09
Bipartisan Group Calls on Obama to Adopt Tougher Strategy on Iran
A task force of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a high-powered Washington-based research group, is calling on President Barack Obama to devise a tougher strategy to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In a newly released report, two former U.S. senators and a retired general argue that if the United States does not act quickly to address the threat, Israel is poised to take military action on its own against Iran. - 9/16/09
Iran, Iraq adopt three methods to invest in joint oilfields
Iran and Iraq have agreed on three ways of investing in joint oilfields based on a memorandum of understanding which has been signed recently, an official with Iraq Oil Ministry has said. - 9/13/09
Lebanese PM-Designate Steps Down, Political Uncertainty Looms
Mr. Hariri's inability to form a unified government led him to call it quits. On September 7 he submitted his lineup for the Cabinet but it was quickly rejected by opposition from Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah. - 9/12/09
Legal Regime of the Artificial Islands in the Persian Gulf
Artificial islands are growing in the Persian Gulf. The small states of the Persian Gulf are trying to increase their hold in the maritime areas and open new territories to their business endeavors. The littoral states of the Persian Gulf have to know the legal regime of these Islands, and their obligations towards other states in an "enclosed or semi-enclosed" body of water, such as the Persian Gulf. These points can get new dimensions noting the existing trends for interpretation of international pollution as a form of aggression. -Bahman Aghai Diba - 9/7/09
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