Iran: Authorities confirm over 100 arrests during November 4 protests
Tehran’s Commander of Security Forces announced that 109 people were arrested during November 4 ceremonies. Security and police forces once more confronted peaceful protesters with violence and used batons, tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse them. In addition to Tehran numerous major cities such as Zahedan, Esfahan, Mashad, Tabriz, and Rasht staged similar demonstrations which met with the violent attacks of government forces. - 11/7/09
Iran's Khatami: Accept there is a national crisis!
Mohammad Khatami, Iran's former president and one of the leaders of recent protests against the alleged fraudulent victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, addressing the "leaders" of Islamic Republic maintained that accepting that there is "a problem and a crisis" is the first step toward actualizing "national unity and understanding." - 11/7/09
Conference at Columbia University: (Iran) After The Election
The recent elections in Iran, and subsequent challenges to their legitimacy, have been a matter of enormous internal conflict in Iran, and of seemingly endless debate in the rest of the world. As protesters continue to take to the Iranian street to voice their opposition to the elections, fault-lines are emerging amongst the ruling elite. - 11/7/09
Iran Lawmakers Say Tehran Will Reject UN-Backed Nuclear Deal
Israel's deputy foreign minister says Israel will attack Iran if it continues on a path of nuclear defiance. Danny Ayalon told Britain's Sky News that Iran has expressed no desire to halt its nuclear program. - 11/7/09
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
Iran To Give UN Watchdog More Details On Nuclear Fuel Plan
Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki says Iran is preparing to give the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) more details of its response to proposals from the major powers for the supply of nuclear fuel. - 11/7/09
What Does Iran's Green Movement Want From Obama?
Members of the Green movement opposed to Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad voiced a clear demand to U.S. President Barack Obama this week. Thousands protesting in Tehran streets on the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover on November 4 called on Obama to choose sides with either the Iranian government, or their struggle against that government, which they don't consider legitimate. - 11/6/09
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
Math student Mahmoud Vahidnia stuns Iran by criticizing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
An unassuming college math student has become an unlikely hero to many in Iran for daring to criticize the country's most powerful man to his face. -New York Times - 11/6/09
Danish student 'arrested in Iran'
A Danish journalism student has been arrested in Iran after covering anti-government protests, unions say. A Canadian, a Japanese and an Iranian journalist are also being held for covering the protests without permits, the semi-official Fars agency reports. -BBC - 11/6/09
Clinton Holds Emotional Meeting with Families of Hikers Held in Iran
.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held an emotional meeting Thursday with the families of three American hikers being detained in Iran and renewed appeals for their release. - 11/6/09
Iran's Nuclear Diversion
As the Obama administration grapples with the conundrum of Iran, it must balance its proliferation concerns with its moral responsibilities. Iran's post-election tremors have hardly subsided; in fact, the regime is systematically eviscerating its democratic opposition. -Ray Takeyh, CFR - 11/6/09
US announces sanctions on subsidiary of Iranian bank
The US Department of the Treasury today designated First East Export Bank (FEEB), a Bank Mellat subsidiary located in Malaysia, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13382 for being owned or controlled by Bank Mellat. - 11/6/09
Tehran police clashes with families of detainees
Reports from Tehran tell of clashes between families of yesterday’s detainees and security forces in Tehran in front of Vozara detention centre. Radio Zamaneh has been told that over 50 people, all families of the detainees who were arrested yesterday in the Novemeber 4th ceremonies, had gathered since this morning in front of the detention centre to follow up on the situation of their loved ones. - 11/5/09
Iran: Leaders of Advar Tahkim Student Group Arrested
At about 7pm on Tuesday night security agents in Tehran arrested three leadership members of the student alumni opposition group known as Advar Tahkim Vahdat. The three members of the organization’s central council, Hassan Assadi Zeidabadi, Mohammad Sadeghi and Ali Malihi were taken to prison on Tuesday night. - 11/5/09
US calls for end to violence in Iran
The international community reacted to clashes between Iranian people and security forces today on the anniversary of the occupation of the US embassy 30 years ago. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "We obviously have seen and are following the reports of this, and hope greatly that violence will not spread," according to Associated Press. - 11/5/09
Iranian Americans in November 3rd Elections: Farokhi Set for December Runoff
Three Iranian American candidates were on the ballot on Election Day, November 3rd. Amir Farokhi ran for the Post 2 At-Large seat while Bahareh Azizi ran for the District 6 seat, both on Atlanta’s City Council. Nina Mohadjer ran for the Board of Education in Ridgefield, Connecticut. - 11/5/09
Iran: Peaceful Demonstrators Faced Disproportionate Use of Force
Security forces and militia used brutal force to disperse thousands of protesters on the streets of Tehran and other cities today, resulting in a number of injuries and arrests, in violation of international standards regarding the proportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrations, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. - 11/5/09
Elbaradei Reports On Global Nuclear Activity
"We have no indication, no complete proof, that Iran has an ongoing nuclear weapons program," said Mohamed ElBaradei. "Iran's program is an effort to force recognition of its role as a regional power. In my view Iran's nuclear program is a means to an end. It wants to be recognized as a regional power. They believe the nuclear know-how brings prestige, brings power and they would like to see the U.S. engaging them. " - 11/5/09
IAEA Chief: Iran's Nuclear Program About Winning Recognition, Prestige
As he prepares to step down as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the end of this month, Muhammad el-Baradei has been speaking a lot about Iran and its nuclear program and the challenges that will face the international community. - 11/5/09
With whom to engage?
Last week, I had the opportunity to address over forty members of the United States Congress with the goal to encourage their recognition of the importance of engaging the Iranian people and their ongoing struggle for human rights and democracy. -Reza Pahlavi - 11/5/09
Support the Iranian people’s struggle for rights
Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) has introduced a resolution expressing continued support for the Iranian people as they stand up for freedom, human rights, and fundamental elements of democracy. -NIAC - 11/5/09
Tension and Hope in the Streets of Tehran
This morning the sun was shining and mountains were covered by white beautiful snow; and the deep sense of tension was strongly at large. From every corner of town, but specially from central parts, people called to say that the spirit of opposition to demand change, to struggle for air of some kind of a civil society in 21st century, was high. -Citizen Journalist, Tehran - 11/4/09
Photos and Vidoes of November 4 Anti-Government Protests in Iran
Despite threats by police and revolutionary guards that any protests will be severely crushed, people today (the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran) took to the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities to continue their post-election protests against the government. Security forces clashed in the capital with opposition supporters. Videos show indiscriminate beating of defenseless protesters and bystanders. - 11/4/09
Protesters, Police Clash In Tehran On Anniversary Of U.S. Embassy Takeover
As Iran held anti-U.S. rallies to mark the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, security forces clashed in the capital with opposition supporters who renewed their protest against the reelection of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. The opposition demonstrators were defying Iranian officials' orders not to use the day to stage antigovernment protests. - 11/4/09
Iranians Rally on Anniversary of American Embassy Takeover
On the eve of the anniversary of the embassy takeover, President Obama said, "We have heard for 30 years what the Iranian government is against; the question, now, is what kind of future is it for." - 11/4/09
Ayatollah Montazeri: Occupying US embassy was a mistake!
On the occasion of the anniversary of the occupation of the US embassy in Tehran, moderate cleric, Ayatollah Hoseinali Montazeri, revisited the event which he had approved of at the time, and claimed "considering the negative effects and heightened sensitivity" it produced amongst Americans, he believes it was a "mistaken" act. - 11/4/09
Opposition Leader Mehdi Karroubi Attacked During Protests In Tehran
During today’s November 4th ceremonies in Tehran, Mehdi Karroubi, disputing candidate of Iran’s presidential elections was target of a direct attack by government forces which injured two of his bodyguards. - 11/4/09
Interview: Former U.S. Hostage Calls For Iran To Change
Thirty years ago, a group of Iranian students stormed into the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took more than 50 U.S. diplomats and embassy staff hostage. They were held in Tehran for 444 days. Bruce Laingen, who was the U.S. charge d'affaires at the time, was among them. But despite his painful experience, he says that the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran should find a basis for a new relationship. - 11/4/09
Strengthening of the IRGC’s Intelligence Arm
Two weeks after Ayatollah Khamenei approved sweeping changes to the structure of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and remarks by Mohammad Ali Jafari about the necessity of the IRGC’s engagement in intelligence and security affairs, the website “Basirat,” run by the IRGC’s political affairs division, announced the imminent appointment of Gholamhossein Ramezani as the IRGC’s counter-intelligence and security director. - 11/4/09
Revolutionary Guards Extend Reach to Iran's Media
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps, already an economic, political and military power, is quietly pushing into a new domain: the media. By March, the Revolutionary Guards plan to launch Atlas, a news agency modeled on services such as the Associated Press and the British Broadcasting Corp., according to semiofficial Iranian news sites. -Farnaz Fassihi, WSJ - 11/4/09
Former Iran Hostages Recall US Embassy Takeover 30 Years Ago
On November 4, 1979,the United States embassy in Tehran was seized by militants in the name of Iran's new leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. For the next 444 days, it was the scene of captivity for 49 Americans - 11/4/09
Face To Face With Iran' Supreme Leader: Khamenei Criticized by University Student
Mahmoud Vahidnia, a distinguished mathematics whiz from the Sharif Technical University, frankly criticized the supreme leader during his meeting with students, as state-run media outlets were unable to censor the remarks. -Nazanin Kamdar - 11/3/09
Photos: Ahmadinejad Gets Cold Reception in Mashhad
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s "first provincial" tour since he was appointed president for the second time this year ended on Friday as administration efforts to demonstrate that he enjoyed popular support ended in failure while a quarter of the space in the eight Shiite Imam mausoleum in Mashhad remained empty as he delivered his public speech. -Shirin Karimi - 11/3/09
Iran's Opposition Leader Mousavi: Prisoners Have Challenged Their Keepers
Opposition leader, MirHosein Mousavi in a visit with the family of Feizollah Arabsorkhi, one of the post-election detainees, claimed the political prisoners have truly “challenged” their keepers. Feizollah Arabsorkhi is one of the prominent members of the reform group, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution and has been in prison for over four months. - 11/3/09
Tehran Police Sets Location For Annual Anti-US rally, Warns Opposition
The police statement added that holding any other demonstrations elsewhere in the city is “illegal". "The police will strongly confront people or groups intending to create unrest and unlawful behavior, based on its legal responsibilities," it added. The opposition, which considers Ahmadinejad's government as illegitimate, plans to hold its own rallies continuing the post-election protests. - 11/3/09
Clinton: Nuclear Offer to Iran Will Not Change
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says there will be no changes to an international offer to end the dispute over Iran's nuclear program by having its low-grade uranium processed and enriched abroad. That proposal is still being considered by the government in Tehran. - 11/3/09
Iran's Supreme Leader Says He Won't be Deceived by US
Iran's supreme leader says he will not be deceived by U.S. statements supporting reconciliation between the two nations. Speaking to Iranian state media, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tehran will not be fooled by what he called a superficial conciliatory tone coming from Washington. - 11/3/09
Iran's government, parliament disagree on subsidy bill
There was a brief argument Tuesday morning on the floor of the Majlis as Speaker Ali Larijani, responding to the President's request to speak before the parliament as the government's representative, said, "The government is allowed five minutes to express its views." - 11/3/09
Ignored Realities and Unpleasant Truths: How will it all play out for Iran?
Let's start with the vignette of a brief televised ceremony at a military base honoring a young soldier who had lost his life recently in Afghanistan. We were told he had lost his life fighting to preserve our freedom. What are we really fighting for in Afghanistan? If it is truly fighting for our freedom, wouldn't it make sense to define the concept of freedom for which we are fighting: freedom to be what and to do what? -Kam Zarrabi - 11/2/09
Iran's Economic Daily Sarmayeh banned
Another Iranian newspaper was shut down by the order of Iran’s ministry of culture. ILNA reports that Sarmayeh (Capital) daily has lost its publishing privileges after “repeated violations” of specific media regulations. - 11/2/09
Revolutionary Guards warn against Nov. 4th "disturbances"
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards, the elite corps largely responsible for the crackdown on the protesters of the June presidential elections, published an announcement today to warn against the proposed protest march being organized by the opposition for November 4. - 11/2/09
Opposition in Iran Urges Continuing Challenge
As Iran prepares for a major commemorative rally on Wednesday, the leaders of the opposition movement called over the weekend for a renewed challenge to the government, setting the stage for a possible showdown between protesters and the police. -New York Times - 11/2/09
Iran shuts down major economic daily
An Iranian government-run press supervisory body shut down the country's major reformist and economic newspaper, Sarmayeh, ISNA news agency reported on Monday. -AFP - 11/2/09
Uncertainties halt privatization of Telecommunications Company of Iran
Three Iranian firms, part of a consortium named Etemad Mobin Development, bought 50 percent plus one share of Telecommunication Company of Iran for US$7.8 billion on September 20, 2009. The importance of this deal is that TCI has monopoly over Iran''s fixed line infrastructure, Iran''s largest cellular operator (MCI), and Iran''s major Internet service provider and data communication operator (DCI). - 11/2/09
Iran's Caspian Sea share at around 20%: Official
Tehran’s representative to Caspian Sea affairs insists that Iran’s share of the Caspian Sea stands at around 20 percent. However this does not mean that the sea is divided into five equal parts among the five Caspian Sea states, Mahdi Safari told the ISNA news agency in an interview published on Sunday. - 11/2/09
Iran's unlovable opposition
Ataollah Mohajerani, who has been a spokesman in Europe for presidential candidate-turned-dissident Mehdi Karroubi, came to Washington to address the annual conference of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The mostly pro-Israel crowd was primed to cheer what they expected would be a harsh condemnation of Ahmadinejad and his bellicose rhetoric, and a promise of change by the green coalition. -Washington Post - 11/2/09
Green Scroll March to the Capitol on November 15
The Green Scroll is a mile long petition signed in a 195 cities all over the world. This is a petition that simply states Ahmadinejad is NOT Iran's president. This is a petition against a government that responds to peaceful protests of its own people with violence, torture, bullets, murder and rape. This is a petition that supports human rights, freedom, and the right for democracy for the oppressed. - 11/2/09
Open Letter to UN Secretary General by Group of Writers, Artists, Journalists, and Academicians about the Situation of Iranian Political Prisoners
Over the past months you have witnessed the Iranian people’s immense and awe-inspiring non-violent demonstrations, rejecting the results of a widely organized fraudulent presidential election. Iranian people expressed their demand for free elections deliberately and peacefully. However, the Islamic Republic responded to their legitimate demand for civil liberty and justice with the bloody attacks committed by its military and paramilitary forces. - 11/1/09
Iran's Opposition Leader Karroubi Renews Allegations Of Vote Fraud
Mehdi Karroubi, who spoke in a meeting with the Central Council of University Alumni today, maintained that in the tenth presidential election in Iran votes were “rationed.” Mr. Karroubi claimed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was allotted 25 million of the votes and his own allotment was 330 thousand. - 11/1/09
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