The Latest from Iran (27 May): A New Parliament Opens

President Ahmadinejad and former President Rafsanjani enter the first session of the new Parliament todaySee also The Latest from Iran (26 May): Propaganda Watch

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1825 GMT: Nuclear Watch. Earlier today (see 0635 GMT) we had noted the defiant stance of the head of the atomic energy organisation, Fereydoun Abbasi, that the International Atomic Energy Agency would not be allowed to inspect the Parchin military site. This, we suggested, was a major step back from possible accomodation over Iran's nuclear programme, given that IAEA head Yukiya Amano had said only a week ago that an agreement over inspections was imminent.

Western media, however, are focusing on another section of Abbasi's comments on State TV, namely that Iran is standing on its right to enrich uranium to 20% on its soil: "“We have no reason to retreat from producing the 20 percent because we need 20 percent uranium just as much to meet our needs."

We are not so struck by the remark. Abbasi has been a "hard-liner" in the past --- in contrast to, for example, President Ahmadinejad --- on the level to which Iran can enrich.

Today's comment should be seen more as a re-assertion by the regime of a tough negotiating position after the failure to get any advance, and indeed signs of a retreat, on a deal at last week's Baghdad talks. Iranian officials blame the situation on the initial proposal put by the 5+1 Powers, which did not explictly recognise Iran's right to enrich and which offered no significant gesture on sanctions.

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The Latest from Iran (12 August): The Opposition and the Question of Elections

1655 GMT: Secretary-General Mohammad Reza Bahonar, last night at a forum of the Islamic Society of Engineers, said that the principalists haven't been this unified since May 23, 1997, the election of President Khatami.

1643 GMT: Students at Sharif University have witten a letter to Sadiq Larijani, complaining that the judiciary is suspicious of Academic Elite and treats the universities harshly. The students' claims are largely focused around the arrests of Omid Koukabi and Ali Akbar Mohammadzadeh, and the letters asks for their release.

1544 GMT: Principalist MP Hamid Reza Katouzian said that Ahmadinejad has crossed several "red lines," Ahmadinejad and his cabinet "don't believe in expertise and do not employ collective wisdom."

Speaking to Kabar Online correspondent, Katouzian who is the head of the Majlis energy commission explained why after Ahmadinejad didn't attend his office for 10 days, the Principalists began to criticize him.

"They finally realized that Mr. Ahmadinejad has already crossed several red lines and it's regrettable that they confronted him simply as he resisted approving the decree issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei not sooner," the lawmaker said.

"Of course there's no doubt that all officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran should adhere to Velayat-e Faqih, but they should also react to the illegal actions taken by the government, instead of remaining silent" he added.

1529 GMT: A dramatic scene, Iranian security operatives repelling from rooftops, smashing things, and hanging in precarious positions. Are they performing a dramatic water or mountain rescue of civilians in need? Are they jumping down from heights to raid a terrorist compound?

Nope, it's just a neat gallery of police destroying satellite dishes, because, in Iran, news is more dangerous than jumping off of a roof.

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