A Daily Briefing on Iran: Week in Review

Some opposing perspectives.
The posts from Regime Change Iran are copied here in bold face type.


Time reported that an IAEA report on Iran's activities is expected next week will include "potentially incriminating" details about traces of highly enriched uranium recently found by inspectors.


The head of the IAEA stated that the highly enriched uranium (in trace quantities) was most likely residue on the equipment from its previous owner, China (or India, depending on which equipment they were inspecting).

The Chicago Tribune reported the debate inside of Iran over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his nuclear ambitions.


The fact that there is a debate in Iran on the nuclear program is merely an indication that free thought and free speech is more prevalent in Iran than America, where there is no possible debate on major issues.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Japan is considering imposing sanctions on Iran if it continues to reject international calls to scrap its nuclear program.

Japan would like to make the symbolic gesture of imposing sanctions on Iran based on the fact that Iran is such a huge trading partner with their largest competitor, China. They don't trade much with Iran to begin with.

Hindu Times reported that the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have backed global efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the standoff between Tehran and Western countries over its controversial nuclear program.

After the Iraq Attack, I don't believe that the populations of any Gulf nations would support anything but a diplomatic solution to this the latest round of American bullying.


The Washington Post reported that a senior Iranian official said: "What we need is an American president who will follow the example of Richard Nixon going to China."
The washington Post story discusses the democracy or lack therof in Iran.

America abandoned democracy decades ago, and have proven that fact time and time again in Latin America and the Middle East, most recently with the "democratic" elections in Iraq that were by definition un-democratic. The US chose who could run in the elections, and as such the Iraqis did not actually have the power to choose whomever they wanted to lead them, which is what democracy actually is.
Reuters uses US Department of Defence Handouts as news stories, (the same as the German media did in the 1930s) and as such cannot be trusted as an actual news source.
China is the largest trading partner of Iran, and as such if they're not on board, nothing will happen in the international community. See also recent news on Iran being invited to become full members of the SCO.

Reuters reported that the incentives to be offered on to Iran include a proposal to allow Tehran to purchase aircraft parts from Boeing Co. and Airbus.


The U.S. has no case for moving to Chapter 7 sanctions against Iran in the UN, nor do they have the clout (anymore) in the international community to take uni-or-multi-lateral action without the danger of military opposition. As such they're backing down, yet trying to do so in a way that makes it seem as though they're being altruistic in making such offers, or doing things for the greater good rather than out of necessity.

Bloomberg reported that President George W. Bush said Iran's response to a U.S.-backed initiative aimed a resolving a standoff over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program is a "positive" first step.
New York Post reported that while the Bush administration offered to join the negotiations with Iran, Ahmadinejad quickly rejected any cessation of enrichment. But the U.S. government is refusing to take no for an answer.


Cessation of Uranium Enrichment was, if you look at the actual presidential statment from the Security Council and the IAEA report that started this mess, not actually the main issue. The actual goals of the nuclear program were. The Pres statement made it clear that enriching uranium for the purpose of providing civilian nuclear energy is well within international law and treaties.


We should also note, based on the bloomberg story, that (due to the aforementioned main issue of the intentions of the Iranian Government's nuclear program) the Iranian Government offered in April for the IAEA to have full reign at all Iranian nuclear and suspected-nuclear sites, which is what the IAEA wanted from the beginning, but the U.S. flatly refused.

Reuters reported that oil dipped, then steadied below 73 dollars a barrel after Iran said world powers had made positive proposals to end a crisis over its nuclear program.


73 dollars a barrel is still higher than the February-of-this-year record high price of 72 dollars a barrel.

Yahoo News reported that a package of incentives presented Tuesday to Iran includes a provision for the United States to supply Tehran with some nuclear technology.


The U.S. took that suggestion (of supplying nuclear technology) from the E.U. in the proposal they were putting together for the past month. It's nothing new.


Khaleej Times Online reported that the United States and other world powers have offered possible guarantees for Iran’s ”terroritorial integrity” as part of its nuclear proposal.

(BTW, the Khaleej times is one of my news favorites) The EU, China, and Russia have all already made similar proposals to protect Iran in exchange for some concessions on the Nuclear stance. Again, the U.S. is playing the role of follower.
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Ok, that's enough story-by-story counterpoint. I agree wholeheartedly with the most important thrust of this post (as I see it), wherein the fact that the U.S. is acting more civily towards the Iranian government has brought about a more civil response from them. This is what has been missing over the past few months: enough of the rhetoric, enough of the posturing, enough of the veiled threats; this issue needs to be dealt with in a mature and rational manner.

[A Daily Briefing on Iran: Week in Review Trackback]
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Call to Non-sensationalist Campaign for Jahanbegloo's Release
From Free Thoughts Blog (Iran)

"It is at least twelve years that I have known Ramin Jahanbegloo as a friend and a mentor. Dr. Ramin Jahanbegloo was arrested at the airport by the Iranian intelligence agents and was taken to Evin Prison about a week ago.

...Dr. Jahanbegloo's arrest is a cause of concern and his release should become the goal of all who are concerned with the promotion of civil society, open public space for free political debate, and last but not least a space safe enough to conduct such debates in a non-violent manner. Dr. Jahanbegloo has taught, lived, and acted in a non-violent manner, and those who would like to rally for his release should remember one fact: He did all this without Media-Mongering and without recourse to Sensationalism."

Its upsetting to hear about restriction of freedom of speech and denial of basic human rights, no matter where it happens. Its a terrible sign when people who have a positive influence are silenced in one way or another.
In this day and age of constant retaliatory attacks, "preventive" "just" war, torture, internment, destruction of the basic institutions of Human Rights and the Sanctity of Human Life, we need all the positive voices we can get. This man deserves to be able to have his voice heard.

Keep your eyes open for more on this at Misneach Letters and at the original post on Free Thoughts.