The more serious “spin” over the nuke issue will come not from Israeli officials but from the ever-present, ever-cited “Western/European diplomats” leaking supposedly-secret sections of IAEA reports proving Iran’s violations of agreements.

S.

On the nuclear issue, the DEBKA is over the reactor at Arak rather than the Fordoo (Qom) plant. Here, I would go back to the IAEA’s report, which we posted earlier this week — the Agency reported no evidence of diversion of materials. DEBKA is almost certainly putting out the “spin” of Israeli officials to undercut the IAEA’s findings.

Press TV, as you note, is the other side of the propaganda coin, taking DEBKA’s story of joint US-Israeli meetings to play up the “foreign intrigue” against Iran’s legimitate Government. Nice to see that the two sides can at least converge on their “information”, if not their political objectives.

S.

Or is it all just a game? Who is passing dis-info? – and who is twisting the dis-info to make it look like real authentic info, the subject of which they want “their” audience to regard as “bad”

(SMILE)

Barry

I am aware that there is a lot of dis-info around. Most of it is kind of “general” in nature. This is kind of “specific” ( actually very specific) – and hence very potentially deniable by those who know the truth (IAEA) . That is not to say that it is not or can not be a complete lie – I am interested in why the IAEA team went back to Qom so soon. (Seems soon to me)

Time will tell

Barry

What if Iran already has nukes? Pakistan had them a long time before they let anyone know. These IRGC thugs are unpredictable. As for the link you provided, doubt they have reliable sources.

I’m always careful handling “information” from DEBKA — more often than not, the site is used to put out claims supporting a particular political/military line. This strikes me as a bit of desperation from Israeli sources to keep pressure on Iran in the nuclear talks or to break them.

S.

If so – then an Israeli attack will definitively be on its way soon.

So far, as far as I can make out through news sources, there has not been much info released of the results of the IAEA inspection of Qom, except that yesterday they went back for another inspection. There have been claims of some “possibilities” – but nothing as specific as in the above release.

Who knows?? If it is true, it would be fairly damning.

Barry

Hillary Clinton has been consistent. Those who followed 2008 presidential election in the U.S. may recall that in numerous debates during primary election she was asked about the Iran nuclear ambition and what she would do if she was elected president. She said the solution was support of democratic movement in Iran. She specifically talked about Iran demographics (70 percent under the age of 30) and how that was our best bet in having a democratically elected government in Iran that would live up to its obligations under UN charter. In so many words she was saying she would support Iranian people to get rid of the government they do not want and with that U.S. and the world community have a far better chance to resolve the nuke issue.

I know there have been many debates that Iranians will pursue the nuclear capability as a matter of national pride and their rights irrespective of which form of government is in place. And indeed those who support this view have referenced statements by Rafsanjani, Mousavi , or speaker of parliament and a few others. We agree there is major difference between nuclear activities for warfare purpose and nuclear activities for peaceful purpose like energy and medical therapy. World community and the U.S. will not deny Iran from having nuclear capabilities for peaceful purpose and they recognize that as the right of any nation. The problem is that the U.S. and other world nations do not trust the current Iranian regime and believe its nuclear activity is for a sinister purpose. I agree with that assessment.

Iran regime whether through its brutal treatment of its own people or through support of terrorism outside its border, or through its utter disregard for international laws has proven its nuclear ambition is for one purpose and one purpose only, domination at all cost. Iran clergy system of government believes nuclear war head is its ticket to ultimate power. I am convinced it will get its nuclear bomb one way or the other unless it is stopped. The question is how to stop the Iranian regime and not why to stop it. For the HOW, I put my money on people of Iran. I still believe our best bet is to support people of Iran in getting rid of current corrupt clergy government and its infrastructure (IRG, Basiji and other variations of them) that keeps this morally bankrupt system in power.

I also think it is time for us to dissociate Green Movement from the so-called reformists such as Mousavi, Karroubi, Khatami, or Rafsanjani. I believe their ship has sunk. This movement though came to life by 2009 election and a candidate with green color designation for its campaign; it no longer has anything to do with either entity. Green has become a symbol of resistance not the color of one of a presidential candidate Mousavi and what he stood or stands for. I believe 2009 election fraud was a gift to Iranian people and the world. I believe the lack of leadership by any of so-called reformists was also a gift to Iranians. We now have seen neither of the reformists have leadership quality that requires enormous courage, risk taking, boldness, foresight, charisma, readiness to make personal sacrifice, planning, organization, etc. The democracy movement in Iran needs a Nelson Mandela type leader and reformists are no Mandela.

I believe People Movement (Green or otherwise) will not die. It will continue in a dormant stage until it gets a boost. Whether that boost will come about by implosion of domestic economy or by action or inaction of the world community, or more brutality by the brain-dead celery regime (similar to what regime thugs are doing in Saghez right now) we will just have to wait and see. The good news is it will come to an end and bad news is many will suffer and many will be no more as we wait and watch. And that is very tough to bear for many of us.

At the very least it takes the clergy out of the “executive” branch role. This might, just might, give it a more stabilising & balanced role as in Iraq. There might also be less probability of a military dictatorship without the umbrella of a SL.

And I agree with your assessment of a mess, but with serious conspiracies within sub-group such as the military establishment.

@Pedestrian:

Many believe that there was fraud but even if that can’t be formally proven given that the regime terrorizes (or kills) witnesses and whistle-blowers, it is perception that counts. And the overwhelming perception among Iran’s middle class is that there was massive fraud.

It’s a good question, but eliminating the SL position adds loads of clarity to the power structure and, in theory, makes it more republican in nature.