We have a comprehensive set of sanctions. This is something where we have all 27 countries working together," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said

EU, Canada adopt new sanctions against Iran

The European Union and Canada on Monday separately adopted new sanctions against Iran, targeting the country's foreign trade, banking and energy sectors. The moves are the latest in a series of measures taken by the international community in an effort to halt Iran's nuclear program. The EU's measures, which leaders agreed to in principle in June, also blacklist Iran's shipping and air cargo companies. In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast denounced the EU decision. "Moving toward confrontational measures and supporting unilateral actions and damaging the atmosphere are not considered by us to be a good use of the opportunity," Mehmanparast said, according to the state television network's website.

EU foreign ministers in Brussels called the restrictions a "comprehensive and robust package" focused on trade, financial services, energy, and transport, with visa bans and asset freezes for Iranian banks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.

The ministers reaffirmed the EU's commitment to work for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue, and backed a call to Tehran to resume meaningful negotiations.

"The aim of the EU is to achieve a comprehensive and long-term settlement which would rebuild international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, while respecting Iran's legitimate rights to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy," they said in a statement.

The EU's new measures will come into force in the next few weeks, after they are published in the bloc's official gazette, officials said.

"We have a comprehensive set of sanctions. This is something where we have all 27 countries working together," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.

According to the decision reached in June, the sanctions will target dual-use items that could be used as part of a nuclear program, and Iran's oil and gas industry.

EU ... Read More

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, pictured on July 3. Russia on Monday angrily slammed Ahmadinejad …

Ahmadinejad calls Medvedev a US spy & Russia says his comments 'unacceptable'

Russia on Monday angrily slammed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's criticism of Moscow in the nuclear crisis as unacceptable and irresponsible, as tensions spiral with its traditional ally. Ahmadinejad last week dubbed his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev the "mouthpiece" of Iran's enemies, in his strongest attack yet on Moscow after months of rising tensions between the Kremlin and the Islamic republic. "For us the recent public statements of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are categorically unacceptable," a Russian foreign ministry statement said. It said that Ahmadinejad's comments "distorted Russia's objective approach, our independent, constructive line towards the Iranian nuclear programme with the aim of finding a political and diplomatic resolution."

"We consider that instead of fruitless and irresponsible rhetoric, the Iranian leadership should take concrete, constructive steps towards the speediest regulation of the situation."

Iran is under four sets of UN sanctions over its refusal to heed repeated Security Council ultimatums to suspend uranium enrichment, the most controversial part of its nuclear programme.

Iran says that it is enriching uranium purely for peaceful use, but Western powers are concerned that it intends to develop a nuclear weapon.

Russia is "counting on the speedy resumption of dialogue between Iran and the 'Six'," the ministry said in the statement, referring to nuclear talks between Tehran and a group of six major world powers, including Russia.

Russia, traditionally a diplomatic and economic ally of Iran, in the past took a milder line against Tehran than Western powers but recently has noticeably hardened its position, sparking anger in Tehran.

Medvedev declared earlier this month that Iran was close to having the potential to build a nuclear weapon, the first time a Russian leader had warned so explicitly of the dangers of the Iranian nuclear programme.

In the ... Read More

In comments on his website Monday, Mousavi accuses hard-liners of moving toward an oppressive, one-party system.

Mousavi warns rulers could topple

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's opposition leader says the country's hard-line political leaders could suffer the same fate as the deposed Shah's regime if they continue to consolidate their grip on power. The comments represent a clear break by Mir Hossein Mousavi with a ruling system he was once firmly a part of. The former prime minister was a fervent supporter of the 1979 revolution that brought cleric-led government to Iran before recasting himself as a leader of the reform-seeking opposition in last year's disputed presidential election. In comments on his website Monday, Mousavi accuses hard-liners of moving toward an oppressive, one-party system.

Previously, he limited his criticism to authorities' postelection crackdown rather than taking on the ruling system.

Tajik reportedly refused to explain what he meant by "dishonored." He just told his sister to tell his lawyer and the state prosecutor about it and added that "they will understand what it means."

Jailed Journalist Says He Was 'Dishonored' In Prison

The family of jailed journalist Abdolreza Tajik has issued an open letter to Iran's judiciary officials and expressed deep concern over his fate in prison. The family says Tajik, who was arrested 40 days ago, told his sister during a prison visit that he has been "disgraced" in the presence of a deputy prosecutor and an interrogator. Tajik reportedly refused to explain what he meant by "dishonored." He just told his sister to tell his lawyer and the state prosecutor about it and added that "they will understand what it means." The comments have led to speculation that he might have been sexually abused in prison.

Tajik's lawyer, Mohammad Sharif, who has not been allowed to meet his client since his arrest, told Radio Farda that whenever talk of being "dishonored" comes up in relation to detainees, physical and sexual assault come to mind.

Sharif expressed serious concern over the situation of Tajik in prison and said that he hopes authorities will allow him and the family to meet Tajik or speak to him by phone.

A number of detainees, including at least one journalst, have claimed that they were raped in prison after their arrest during the Iranian government's crackdown in reaction to street protests over the reelection of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

Tajik has been arrested twice since the postelection crackdown began and released on bail after being charged with "acting against Iran's national security." He was arrested for the first time on June 13 on unknown charges. Since then, he has been allowed to meet with his sister just once.

Jafari's comments mark the first time an Iranian official has acknowledged publicly that some members of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, which was undoubtedly involved in the postelection crackdown, are supporters of the Green Movement.

'Convincing' Revolutionary Guards Who Support Green Movement 'Better Than Eliminating Them'

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has officially acknowledged that some members have been supportive of the country's opposition movement. General Mohammad Ali Jafari said that it is better "to convince" guards who support the opposition than to get rid of them. "Many of the ambiguities have been resolved and they have been convinced that the move was wrong," Jafari was quoted by Fars as saying, according to Radio Farda. "This is better than to physically deal with them and eliminate them." Jafari's comments mark the first time an Iranian official has acknowledged publicly that some members of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, which was undoubtedly involved in the postelection crackdown, are supporters of the Green Movement. Many questions remain, however. How widespread is support for the Green Movement within the IRGC? Have they really been convinced, as Jafari claims? Were they threatened, or truly convinced? How high-ranking are those who supported or still support the Green Movement? And can they make a difference?

During last year's presidential campaign, several former IRGC members expressed support for defeated presidential candidate and former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Musavi, including Mohsen Rashid and Azlati Moghdam. Radio Farda reports that Azlati was among those jailed in the postelection crackdown.

"The Guardian" posted a documentary in June that featured interviews with three former senior members of the IRGC who had defected to the West and who spoke about what they described as "a betrayal" of the Iranian government.

-- Golnaz Esfandiari

Earlier this month, Mostafaei told CNN that his client confessed to the crime after being subjected to 99 lashes. She later recanted the confession and has denied wrongdoing, he said.

Activist: Wife, brother of lawyer in Iran stoning case arrested

Iranian authorities have arrested the wife and a brother of a lawyer who is defending a woman facing imprisonment and possible execution by stoning, a human rights activist said Monday. Mina Ahadi, chairwoman of the International Committee Against Stoning, said the wife and brother are being held in Evin Prison and police have closed the Tehran office of lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei. The location of the lawyer himself remains unknown, Ahadi said. Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani was convicted of adultery in 2006 and was originally sentenced to death by stoning, but the sentence was put on hold earlier this month after an international outcry.

Protestors rallied worldwide Saturday in support of her, pushing for her release.

Earlier this month, Mostafaei told CNN that his client confessed to the crime after being subjected to 99 lashes. She later recanted the confession and has denied wrongdoing, he said.

Iranian state media reported this month that the nation's judiciary chief halted the execution of Ashtiani.

"Although the verdict still stands and is definite, the execution has been halted on humanitarian grounds from the order of the honorable judiciary chief, and will not be implemented at this time," Malek Ajdar Sharifi, a judiciary official in East Azerbaijan province, told Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency.

The IRGC has been building its economic influence for more than 20 years

The IRGC has been building its economic influence for more than 20 years

Iran has embarked on a remarkable - many would say bizarre - experiment in business management. Domination of a fairly sophisticated, energy-rich economy has been handed to a secretive military organisation that started out as a religious militia. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is now believed to control a third of the Iranian economy. Some experts put the figure much higher, although all estimates are a matter of conjecture. The force was created by Ayatollah Khomeini 30 years ago to protect the state and defend the principles of his Islamic revolution.

Its improbable journey to becoming a powerful business network is bound up with Iran's response to American pressure and international sanctions, which are intended to persuade Tehran to abandon alleged plans to develop nuclear weapons.

Among many other activities, the guard - often referred to by the acronym IRGC - is suspected of playing a central role in organising Iran's nuclear programme.
'In state of siege'

That is why the IRGC has been the prime target of four successive rounds of United Nations sanctions.
IRGC's BUSINESS EMPIRE
Continue reading the main story

* Khatam al-Anbia construction firm: employs 20,000 workers and boasts of hundreds of government contracts
* Iran Telecommunications Company - 50% stake bought in government privatisation scheme
* Angouran - the largest lead and zinc mine in the Middle East
* Bahman Automobile Manufacturing Group - (manufactures the Mazda brand) - 45% stake
* Iran electronics industry - comprises electronic, computer and communications companies
* Iranians' Mehr Economic Institution - financial institution with hundreds of branches (one of the largest banking networks in Iran)

* Profile: Iran's Revolutionary Guards

"By focussing on the Revolutionary Guards for sanctions, by making it clear to financial institutions around the world that doing business with the ... Read More

Thousands of Iranians fled to Turkey after last year's election

Germany takes in 50 Iranian dissidents

Germany is opening its borders to 50 Iranian dissidents - mostly journalists critical of Tehran. The refugees first fled to Turkey in the fallout of last year's presidential election. Germany has granted asylum to 50 Iranian dissidents who fled their country in the wake of post-election protests last year. A spokesman from the German Interior Ministry confirmed that Germany had already begun admitting the Iranians, as reported earlier in the week by news magazine Der Spiegel.

"Twelve have already arrived over the past weeks. Another one will arrive next week," said the spokesman, who insisted on remaining anonymous.

A further 26 Iranians have been approved to enter Germany, while the remaining cases have yet to be approved by German authorities in conjunction with the United Nations and Turkey, where most of the asylum-seekers initially fled.

Dissidents were critical of Iran's government

Germany had originally planned to admit to up to 20 Iranians but raised the number after criticism from Germany's Iranian expatriate community and the rights advocates Reporters Without Borders.

The home of Iranian refugees in TurkeyBildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Thousands of Iranians fled to Turkey after last year's election

Most of the refugees are journalists who were critical of Iran's government, according to an Iranian human rights activist quoted by Der Spiegel.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere decided to grant asylum to Iranian dissidents in March. The figure of 50 was reached with regional ministers in May. The majority of the refugees are being taken in by the city-state of Berlin, with further asylum-seekers in Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.

The re-election of ultraconservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June 2009 sparked a massive wave of protests by supporters of opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Author: David Levitz (AP/dpa/Reuters)

Mr Medvedev has publicly questioned Iran's intentions over its nuclear programme

The "unravelling relationship" between Russia and Iran

Russia and Iran seemed to be good friends, but in recent weeks the relationship has unravelled. Since 1991, Russia has been a major supplier of modern arms to Iran. The Russian-built nuclear power plant in the southern Iranian city of Bushehr is due to finally come on line this year. In advance, Russia has shipped more than 100 tonnes of low-enriched uranium reactor fuel rods to Bushehr.
Iran nuclear crisis Moscow has earned billions, helping Iran bypass US and European Union (EU) sanctions.
Air defence

And yet, last month, Moscow supported UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme.

Last week, President Dmitry Medvedev even publicly questioned the Iranian programme which is moving into a position that may allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.

Previously, Russian officials maintained that there was no proof that Iran was developing nuclear weapons.

In December 2005, Russia agreed to sell Iran long-range S-300 anti-aircraft missiles - 40 to 60 launchers with four missile tubes each, radars, and control stations, worth some $1bn (£650m).

Together with the shorter-range Tor M1 and the older super-long-range S-200 already provided by Russia, Iran could build a solid anti-aircraft shield able to defend its nuclear facilities against a possible US or Israeli assault, and inflict serious damage to the attacking force.

Without the S-300, the Iranians do not have a balanced air defence.

Moscow has been withholding the delivery of the S-300 to Iran since 2008, while officials maintained the delays were "technical".

Last month, after some hesitation, Moscow announced that the S-300 deal is forbidden by the new UN sanctions.

Iranian officials reacted angrily. Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi demanded that Russia must pay for the damage it has caused by failing to deliver the S-300.
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The Russian military do not consider a handful of ... Read More

Sakineh Ashtiani was convicted of adultery in 2006 after being subjected to 99 lashes.

Protests held worldwide against execution of Iranian woman

Hundreds of protesters rallied worldwide Saturday against the imprisonment and possible execution of an Iranian woman convicted of adultery. Sakineh Mohammedie Ashtiani was originally sentenced to death by stoning, but it was put on hold earlier this month after an international outcry. In London, protesters held posters with Ashtiani's likeness while a speaker criticized Iran's treatment of her. Many demonstrating in Trafalgar Square held signs reading, "No to Stoning. No to Executions." John Lennon's "Imagine" played in the background. In Stockholm, Sweden, protesters chanted for Ashtiani's release while calling stoning a medieval practice that must end. They also signed a large petition calling for her release. The case has drawn international attention. Ashtiani was convicted of adultery in 2006 and faces the possibility of execution.
Video: Protesters rally for Iranian woman
Video: Iran's reaction to stoning case
RELATED TOPICS

* Iran
* Islamic Republic News Agency
* World Politics

The London protesters said Iran has unfairly sentenced others to death, including 18 gay citizens.

In Toronto, Canada, one woman showed a graphic display with red-colored stones to symbolize the instruments and results of stoning.

Despite the sentencing delay, human rights activists wanted to remind the world of Ashtiani's plight, said Mina Ahadi, chairman of the International Committee Against Execution and Stoning, one of the group's leading Saturday's protests.

"The fact is, the execution can still happen," Ahadi said. "And, often times in Iran, these types of executions will happen without any notice."

More than 30 cities participated in "International Sakineh Mohammedie Ashtiani Day" at 2 p.m. local time. Cities holding rallies included Washington, New York, London, Venice, Paris, Berlin and Ottawa, organizers said.

Organizers hoped the rallies would help free Ashtiani and intensify the international ... Read More

Teenage girls were raped before their deaths because the regime felt this would prevent them from going to heaven. Boys were rounded up and hanged from cranes.

The Coming End Of Islamic Fascism In Iran

Crucial signs that freedom is not only possible but imminent. Reza Kahlili - The Iranian Revolution of 1979 began with Ayatollah Khomeini promising Iranians full freedom and a government by the people and for the people. In his speeches leading up to the Revolution, the Ayatollah proclaimed that, "A nation that doesn't have freedom does not have civilization. A civilized nation is one that is free." He also said that, "There should be freedom of the press and people should have the right to their opinion" and "In our government, clergy will not govern but help you with your spirituality. In our government, women will be free, and officials can be publicly criticized."

People, joyful of his positive messages, turned their backs on the Shah--who had brought them peace, respect, and luxury--in the hope of the political freedom that was nonexistent during the Shah. Sadly, this joy quickly turned to horror. Instead of the freedom he'd promised, Khomeini snatched back the liberties women had begun to gain under the Shah, reducing them to second-class citizens without the right to inheritance, child custody and divorce. Khomeini and his cohorts forced women to wear the Islamic hijab--whipping them if they didn't--and reverted to stoning woman for adultery. The Islamic regime claimed that anyone speaking against them was mohareb, an enemy of God. Because the regime purported to be representatives of God on Earth, they ordered the execution of all opposition. Teenage girls were raped before their deaths because the regime felt this would prevent them from going to heaven. Boys were rounded up and hanged from cranes.

Still, this was not enough. The regime insisted on exporting their religion to the world, expanding their terror network by helping establish Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, killing Americans and Israelis, destabilizing the Middle East and effectively destroying any chance for a negotiated settlement between Palestine and Israel. They fought a war ... Read More

The order to obey Mr. Khamenei is issued by himself while in recent days political activists have sent multiple letters to ayatollah Khamenei questioning his credentials

Khamenei's Fatwa About Himself: You Must Obey Me

By Nazanin Kamdar, The Islamic Republic supreme leader's office issued one of the most important orders issued by the country's second leader. In sum, the order states that everyone must obey Mr. Khamenei. The order to obey Mr. Khamenei is issued by himself while in recent days political activists have sent multiple letters to ayatollah Khamenei questioning his credentials and qualifications for leadership. Most prominently, imprisoned journalist Isa Saharkhiz listed charges against the leader in court. According to the text published on ayatollah Khamenei's website, responding to a question about how one must obey the leader, he referred to himself as a "branch of the guardianship of the Prophet Mohammad and the Infallible Imams," "representative of the Hidden Imam," and ranked himself to be at the same level as Islam's Prophet Mohammed. He wrote, "Guardianship of faqih (religious jurisprudent) is the ruling of the qualified faqih in the absence of the Infallible Imam. It is a branch of the guardianship and ruling of the Prophet Mohammad and the Infallible Imams. You may ensure commitment to the Guardian Faqih by obeying his administrative rulings. According to normal procedure, when ayatollah Khamenei's website issues a text, all domestic media outlets are obliged to publish the full text. But according to many, "ayatollah Khamenei is not a source of emulation, has not written a treatise and cannot respond to questions of this sort according to the Shiite jurisprudence."

A political expert told Rooz, "With this action, ayatollah Khamenei, who previously responded to non-political questions at the level of administering the city of Qom's sanitation infrastructure, has entered the area of political discourse. This so-called fatwa can be regarded as his new step toward a form of personal dictatorship."

The source continues, "Because he has not written a treatise and is not regarded as a source of emulation, ayatollah Khamenei had so far shied away ... Read More

I think the Iranians will be surprised by the extent of the measures," another diplomat said. "These measures go significantly beyond the scope of the resolution

EU plans 'toughest ever' sanctions against Iran

Legally binding measures to be agreed on Monday will go far beyond existing United Nations measures against Iran's nuclear programme. Officials said the impact of the measure would be to starve key companies and banks of access to the European market. Significant levels of trade with Germany and Italian would be cut off. The measures reinforces a United Nations sanctions resolution passed in June
"I think the Iranians will be surprised by the extent of the measures," another diplomat said. "These measures go significantly beyond the scope of the resolution." Iran's important energy industry will be "hit hard" by a total European prohibition on all investment, sale of equipment and investment in refining and liquid natural gas production.

New banking measures will require all Iranian banks, or financial institutions connected with Iran, to get prior notification of all transactions over £8,400 and authorisation for any transfers over £33,600.

Additionally, a "very significant" extended travel ban and asset freeze list, covering over 40 Iranian firms and officials, will be published on Tuesday. All Iranian air cargo flights, in and out of the EU, will also be banned.

A ban on EU exports of "dual use" technologies will be extended from nuclear applications to cover all conventional military applications and chemical weapons.

"This is the most far reaching, autonomous package of sanctions that the EU has ever agreed," said a European diplomat.

The move reflects new political will in Germany, France, and Holland who all have a significant economic interests in Iran.

America has also imposed penalties for trading with Iran but officials hope that the EU package will be emulated by third countries. "We hope this leads to other countries around the world who want themselves to go beyond the UN sanctions imposing similar measures," the diplomat said. "Very few countries want to go as far as the US. It will be the EU package ... Read More

In response to the enemy's resolutions, it was decided that the project be pushed forward by five years," Ahmadinejad said, referring to Iran's shuttle program

Iran to put man in space by 2019: Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Friday that Iran would send its first manned shuttle into space by 2019, Iran's English-language Press TV reported. "In response to the enemy's resolutions, it was decided that the project be pushed forward by five years," Ahmadinejad said, referring to Iran's shuttle program. Western powers fear Iran is trying to build nuclear bombs under cover of a uranium enrichment program, but Tehran denies this, saying its program is intended only for power generation.

Another startling setback in obtaining zero is the ease at which highly enriched uranium can be smuggled virtually undetected into U.S. inside lead pipes

Countdown to Zero: Is it Possible?

Watch the film. Watch it again. - Academy Award winning producer Lawrence Bender and director Lucy Walker's documentary Countdown to Zero is an extraordinarily powerful and disturbing film that lays out the case for global nuclear disarmament. I had the privilege of interviewing Lawrence Bender on this issue. This movie is like a wake up call and it's an edge of your seat, urgent kind of scary movie about this issue. So people watch it and go 'holy shit'.
But the question of how we get to zero is not one easily answered. It's not easy and it's going to take some time to do. And it's an idea that was started by the great liberal president Ronald Reagan. Obviously in the movie we have some of his speeches He had many speeches where he believed that the best thing for the world was abolition of nuclear weapons.. And this is an idea that's been around for a while. It's not a liberal idea or a conservative idea. But I do believe it's an idea whose time has come. So from Reagan and even with Nixon, when he talked about reduction, this is an idea that's been around for some time and again, it's weird, because in the 1980's the nuclear freeze movement was primarily a liberal movement but it was effective. There were 70,000 nuclear weapons and now we're down to 23,000 - so it did have an effect. But today most people just don't think about this and as President Kennedy says in the movie, you have this Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads. The problem is no one is looking up. President Reagan was. A staunch nuclear abolitionist, he made global disarmament a focal point of his post Cold War Strategy.

Bender adds, "The use of nuclear weapons used to be, you know, mad, they were used to destroy. One can say that it worked. Not everyone was always for nuclear weapons but certainly we didn't blow each other up, In the case of Russia and the United States, sane minds prevailed. We had some very tough close calls and it was a very scary time in history, but it didn't ... Read More

The law, passed on July 21, requires government departments to transfer some of their employees to locations outside Tehran by the end of August.

Regime Relocating Government Employees Away From Tehran

The Iranian cabinet has passed legislation forbidding the creation of new government posts in Tehran and instructing other employees to relocate, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports. The law, passed on July 21, requires government departments to transfer some of their employees to locations outside Tehran by the end of August. Officials say the law is aimed at "reducing Tehran's population," which currently stands at some 14 million people. The legislation has been a priority for the government of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

Opposition activists fear the law is an attempt to weaken Tehran's strong role in national political life. The capital has been the center of opposition activity in Iran, particularly for the Green Movement formed after last year's controversial presidential election.

The new law has led to objections by employees at the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department, which was among the first departments to announce the transfer of some of its employees to places outside of Tehran.

Employees of the department gathered on July 20 in front of Iran's parliament to protest their "forced transfer." Demonstrators said the department may transfer over 1,000 of its workers to cities like Isfahan and Shiraz.

Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department head Hamid Baghaei had promised employees a pay raise if they transfer from Tehran, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported on July 20.

Baghaei also offered half-price airfares, housing loans, and other concessions to workers who agree to relocate.

Baghaei said, "There is no compulsion for employees to transfer [to another city] -- anyone may volunteer, or refuse," Fars reported.

He did not say whether there would be professional consequences for those who refuse to relocate.

Lynch concludes that Obama's diplomacy has been successful in changing the strategic balance of power in the Middle East -- that had resulted from Bush's disastrous policy -- by weakening Iran and its partners

Is Obama Set on an Iran Strike?

One of Israel's leading political "insiders" is insisting that there has been a dramatic transformation of President Barack Obama's strategy in the Middle East. Israel is now back "In" as the White House occupant who had called for engagement with Iran not so long ago, is now placing the threat of a nuclear Iran on the top of his diplomatic agenda at the same time that his administration is also expressing concerns over the expected leadership changes in Cairo and Riyadh. "When Obama came into office he assessed that the United States had been weakened in the Middle East and hoped to reach an agreement on sharing influence with the regional power, Iran," according to Aluf Benn, the respected senior diplomatic analyst for Ha'aretz, Israel's liberal - not left-wing - daily newspaper. "So he cooled toward Israel and pulled out of the closet the well-worn club called settlements," writes Benn. But that apparently didn't work. "The Iranians waved off Obama's goodwill gesture, and the Arab states ignored the Palestinian issue and made it clear that blocking Iran was more important," explains the journalist who tends to reflect the political state of mind of Israel's leaders. So "instead of "beat on Israel and gain the applause of the Muslims," the stance on Iran is toughening. Sanctions on Tehran have become tougher, and the rhetoric has become more blunt," Benn writes in an analysis published in the aftermath of the recent meetings between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ("Bibi") Netanyahu in Washington. "Israel has moved from being a burden to a welcome partner, perhaps because there is no choice in view of the expected instability in Cairo and Riyadh with the changes at the top," he concludes.

It is quite possible that Benn may be echoing the spin promoted by Bibi and his aides which in turn, reflects the Israeli PM's wishful thinking or for that matter, a misleading narrative which portrays what is nothing more than a Barack-Bibi political cease-fire ... Read More

His release comes days after the Tehran bus drivers' union issued a statement calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Torabian and three other bus drivers' union leaders: Reza Shahabi, Ebrahim Madadi, and Mansur Osanlu.

Labor Activist Released From Prison

A spokesman for Tehran's municipal bus-service union has been released from prison on bail, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports. Said Torabian, who had been held at Rajaee Shahr prison in Karaj, west of Tehran, was released on July 20. He was detained by authorities on June 9. His release comes days after the Tehran bus drivers' union issued a statement calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Torabian and three other bus drivers' union leaders: Reza Shahabi, Ebrahim Madadi, and Mansur Osanlu. A statement issued by the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company on July 17 expressed particular concern about the health of Torabian. It said the union spokesman, who suffers from a heart condition, had not been able to contact his family since his arrest.

The statement states that labor activists have come under increasing pressure in recent months.

"Since the opening of the union five years ago, its members and their families have faced severe pressure, including arrests, threats, dismissal from work, and deprivation of their social and medical rights," it reads.

Bus drivers' union leader Mansur Osanlu is serving a five-year prison term after being arrested in July 2007.

According to the union, the Iranian government had pledged at a recent International Labor Organization conference to release Osanlu. But he is now being charged with more crimes.

On July 18, an Iranian revolutionary court in Karaj charged Osanlu with "spreading propaganda against the regime." It is the same charge brought against him in 2007.

The statement said that the municipal bus drivers' union will continue to fight for workers' rights despite ongoing government pressure. The union appealed for further support from human rights groups and labor unions, especially the International Transport Workers' Federation.

Alleged terrorist Abdul Kadir says he was only involved in plot to blow up Kennedy Airport to raise money to build a mosque in Guyana. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/07/21/2010-07-21_terror_suspect_sez_he_just_wanted_cash.h

Trial Focuses on Iran Ties of Kennedy Plot Suspect

He insists he was just in it for the mosque money. An accused wanna-be terrorist testified Tuesday he wasn't really interested in blowing up Kennedy Airport after all. He said he was just going along with the other thugs because he hoped they would help him raise money to build a mosque in Guyana. Abdul Kadir, a former member of Guyana's parliament, took the stand to convince the jury that he is not a terrorist. The plot to blow up fuel tanks and lines at Kennedy was presented to Kadir by co-defendant and accused mastermind Russell Defreitas in February 2007. Kadir, 58, said the amateurish video of the airport targets, shot by Defreitas, "made no sense to me" and suggested they use Google Earth to get better images.

Still, he said, he continued discussions with Defreitas and the government's informant, Steven Francis, because the men had discussed hitting up wealthy Muslims in New York for funds to build the mosque.

Federal prosecutors contend Kadir intended to present the plan to violent extremists in Iran and Trinidad.

Kadir tried to defuse the shock value of a photograph of him prosecutors showed to the jury in which the shirtless defendant is armed with five handguns. He explained that two of the firearms were toys and he was just fooling around because it was Christmastime.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/07/21/2010-07-21_terror_suspect_sez_he_just_wanted_cash.html#ixzz0uQaTurl7

Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said that Russian companies were willing to supply oil and gas products to Iran despite the EU sanctions. (Ayez Nureldine/Getty Images)

EU Mulling New Sanctions on Iran

The European Union is set to adopt tighter sanctions on Iran targeting investment in the country’s oil and gas industries. Excerpts from a draft declaration was reportedly circulating before EU foreign ministers said that the trade block would impose “comprehensive and robust” sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The measures will follow tough U.S. sanctions restricting the import of oil and gas products into Iran. Both sets of measures go beyond the limited sanctions approved on June 9 by the United Nations Security Council, which mostly targets investments connected to the Iranian military.

The sanctions still have to be approved on Thursday by EU ambassadors in Brussels, but significant changes are unlikely.

However Russia, which approved the U.N. sanctions, poses a threat to the unilateral EU and U.S. sanctions.

On July 14, the Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said that Russian companies were willing to supply oil and gas products to Iran.

“Sanctions cannot hinder us,” Shmatko was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying.

“Russian companies are prepared to deliver oil products to Iran. The possibility of delivering oil products to Iran exists, if there is a commercial interest,” he added.

Shmatko was quoted after a meeting in Moscow with Iranian oil minister Massoud Mir-Kazemi, where the two officials discussed a “roadmap” of future oil and gas cooperation between the two countries.

The announcement comes after a difficult period in relations between Tehran and Moscow, following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s warning that Iran was nearing its potential in building an atomic bomb.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki angrily rejected the remarks as “totally false.”

Russian firms have rich pickings of Iranian gas field projects to invest in following the withdrawal of several western companies. Shell, BP, and Total have already terminated sales of oil ... Read More