Reporter Arrested by Security Forces
The Associated Press is reporting that a reporter working for the Agence France Presse was arrested on November 4th. The Agence France Presse has said it has not heard from reporter Farhad Pouladi since Wednesday. The AFP’s acting bureau chief in Tehran said Iranian reporter Farhad Pouladi was taken into custody Wednesday as he headed […]
The US & Iran: Between Human Rights, Diplomacy & Sanctions
The National Iranian American Council is pleased to announce we will be having a policy conference on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 in Dirksen Senate Office Building G-50. The conference will run from 9 AM to 12.30 PM and will feature two panels; the first will assess the human rights and political situation in Iran and […]
Early Warnings Over Enrichment Deal (Updated…)
Reuters is reporting that Iran has turned down the enrichment deal proposed by IAEA chief Mohammad Elbaradei. The deal was proposed this week in Vienna and has been approved already by all of the other countries (U.S., France and Russia) that took part in the negotiations. The report relies on an unnamed member of Iran’s diplomatic […]
Roger Cohen on Exceptionalism; How Iran Could Learn a Thing or Two from Israel
In the New York Times yesterday, Roger Cohen published a thoughtful op-ed piece that examines Israel’s belief in its own exceptionalism. Far from being anti-Israeli, Cohen presents an assessment of the problems of Israeli exceptionalism and offers a way forward. In his article, Cohen focuses almost entirely on Israel; however, it is not just Israel […]
Iran’s Bait and Switch
The Associated Press reported yesterday that Iran’s parliament has approved slashing energy and food subsidies over the course of five years. The proposed move would bring Iran’s domestic prices more in line with international market prices to offset the $90 billion spent annually in subsidies. While attempts to reduce subsidies were made in the past, […]
Mehdi Karroubi To Be Investigated
Presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi is facing prosecution for accusing government forces of raping, torturing and murdering anti-government protesters. As a cleric, Mr. Karroubi’s case will be tried by a clerical court. The decision to prosecute Mr. Karroubi indicates that the Islamic regime is far from content with putting lower-level opposition members on trial. The investigation […]
Mottaki: In talks, we will not buy expensively nor sell cheaply
IRNA has an interview with Manouchehr Mottaki about US-Iran relations. Policymakers will be interested to know how he frames the issue. He denies an alleged meeting with US congressmen, contrary to what Iran’s own al-Alam network has reported. From IRNA: In a statement that appears simple but in reality is laden with meaning, Iran’s Foreign Minister said: “Since […]
Khamenei Has Ordered Arrest of Karroubi (UPDATED)
Mousavi’s Green Path of Hope news service is reporting that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi’s arrest. Here is the translation of that report (translation copyright New York Times): Informed news sources in Tehran report that “hearings” indicate Khamenei has given an order for the arrest of Karroubi. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, […]
Friday Prayer leader: Why isn’t Mousavi being arrested?
In a further sign of a confrontation between a united conservative front and the Mousavi camp, today’s Friday Prayer leader in Isfahan indirectly called for Mousavi’s arrest. News website Peykiran reports (translation exclusive to New York Times): [Isfahan’s Friday prayer leader] announced: “The people expect that the Judiciary must bring judgment upon the people who […]
Mousavi Responds to Arrest of Top Aide
Mousavi’s 12 Announcement (h/t and translation exclusive to New York Times): In the Name of God The news of the arrest of dear brothers Dr. Seyyed Alireza Beheshti and Engineer Morteza Alviri, officials of the committee for following up the conditions of the post-election prisioners, and Sardar Moghaddam, from the committee of “sacrificers” for Mousavi’s […]
Atefeh Imam – daughter of prominent jailed Reformist – freed from Prison
According to Mousavi-related news site Nowrooz News, Atefeh Imam — the 18-year old daughter of Mousavi’s Chief of Staff — has been released after one day in prison. Nowrooz News runs the headline “Unbelievable New Details about the Arrest of Atefeh Imam“: (h/t New York Times) Atefeh, the 18 year old daughter of Javad Imam […]
Conservative MP: Khamenei Urged MPs to Support Cabinet
In the latest sign suggesting that Ahmadinejad’s political power depends on Khamenei’s backing, AFP is reporting that a senior conservative MP has said the Cabinet’s approval depended on Khamenei’s support. From AFP: TEHRAN — Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged MPs to approve President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s cabinet, a senior lawmaker said on Friday, the […]