Thursday
Jul152010
The Latest from Iran (15 July): The Zahedan Bombing
Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 15:11 
2130 GMT: The Zahedan Bombing. Back from a family break to learn about the two explosions, reportedly caused by suicide bombers, which have killed more than 20 people and wounded more than 100 in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan in Sistan-Baluchestan Province.The explosions occurred in front of Zahedan's Grand Mosque. The first was at 9:20 p.m. local time (1650 GMT) and was followed by a second blast within minutes. A local MP claimed the first suicide bomber, dressed as a woman, tried to get into the mosque but was prevented
There are reports that members of the Revolutionary Guard are amongst the dead.
Deputy Interior Minister Ali Abdollahi has always described the incident as a "terrorist act". The prime suspect will be the Baluch insurgent group Jundullah, whose leader Abdolmalek Rigi was recently executed.
NEW Iran Follow-Up: The Story Beyond the Opposition, Enduring America, and US “Neoconservatives"
Iran: Understanding That Nuclear Scientist/Abduction Case (All It Takes is 1 Cartoon)
Iran Through the Looking Glass: “Never Judge Enduring America by Its Cover”
The Latest from Iran (14 July): Getting to the Point
1709 GMT: Rafsajani Watch. Former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, in an interview with Ertebatat monthly, has said, "Under the pretext of opposition to me, [Mohammad] Khatami, Nategh Nouri and [Mehdi] Karroubi, Ahmadinejad has put on sale all the achievements of the Revolution."
1700 GMT: Today's All-Is-Well Alert. From Press TV:
Iran's jet fuel production will soon surpass its local demand, as the country is boosting its production capacity in central Iran, an official says. Ali Dehqanian, a senior official with Isfahan Oil Refining Company (IORC), said the company currently produces 1.3 million liters of fuel jet per day, noting that Iran needs 4 million liters of fuel jet per day....
He added that an optimization project is underway in the company's fuel production unit that when complete will increase its jet fuel production to 5 million liters per day.
The official noted that 70 percent of the project has already been completed.
1658 GMT: The Electricity Squeeze. Rah-e-Sabz claims the Iran Khodro and Saipa automobile companies will close down on certain days during the week. The same is expected for other big firms.
1655 GMT: The Bazaar Strikes. Radio Zamaneh interviews two leading merchants from the Tehran Bazaar: "We Do Not Trust the Government's Promises".
1645 GMT: What is Ayatollah Yazdi Up To? Okay, so here's a summary of the statement by Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi at a meeting for the "Velayat Project" at Shahid Beheshti University:
Some think that the Supreme Leader has a representative function like the British Queen, but this is not true. Ayatollah Khomeini said: If the chosen President is not appointed by the Supreme Leader, he is a "taghout" (monarchist) and following him is haram (forbidden).
On the surface, that looks to be a straight-forward defence of Ayatollah Khamenei. But EA's Ms Zahra thinks there may be another interpreation: "This is a preparation for Yazdi's own succession as Leader and a justification of Ahmadinejad. He pretends to defend Khamenei's right to intervene in all matters, but even raising the "untrue" comparison with the Queen is an indirect attack.
1525 GMT: The Bigger Guardian Council Story? We noted the immediate headline today that the Supreme Leader had re-appointed three clerical representatives on the Guardian Council (see 1412 GMT).
This, however, is much more interesting. Sadegh Larijani, the head of Iran's judiciary, now names three of the "legal" representatives. His short-list --- Mohammad Salimi, Ahmad Beygi Habib-Abadi, Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, Mohammad Hadi Sadegh, and Siamak Rahpeyk --- excludes two candidates, current Council member Gholam-Hossein Elham and Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Ka'abi, who are seen as pro-Ahmadinejad.
1455 GMT: The Bazaar Strikes. Alef has posted pictures of Tehran Bazaar today. Some show vendors doing business, others are of rows of closed stalls:
1450 GMT: Remembering. An activist translates Fereshteh Ghazi's account of the life and death of Amir Javadifar, who was abused and killed in Kahrizak Prison a year ago.
1428 GMT: Russia's Carrot-and-Stick Play. Meeting his Iranian counterpart Massoud Mir-Kazemi in Moscow, Russian Minister of Energy Sergei Shmatko praised “active cooperation between Russian and Iranian companies in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors, which are developing and widening in their joint work”.
Yet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev seems to have put out a wordy warning to Tehran over the nuclear issue, "I would like to say that Iran is our rather active trading partner and has been tested by time, but that does not mean we are indifferent to the way Iran is developing its nuclear programme and we are not indifferent to how the military components of the corresponding programme look."
Analysis, please: is Moscow indicating that the recently-toughened UN sanctions are not a restriction on Iran's energy sector or is Shmatko's statement just a bit of rhetorical "balancing" to avoid a complete detachment from Tehran while his President stands alongside the "West"?
1412 GMT: The Guardians of the Guardian Council. Back from travels to find that the Supreme Leader has reinstated Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, Ayatollah Gholam Reza Rezvani, and Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Modarresi Yazdi, three of the six clerics on the 12-member Guardian Council.
0914 GMT: We've posted an analysis by Mr Verde of the bigger significance yesterday's opinion piece on the opposition website Rah-e-Sabz: "The Story Beyond the Opposition, Enduring America, and US 'Neoconservatives'".
0910 GMT: The Bazaar Strikes. Kalemeh, the website linked to Mir Hossein Mousavi, claims that the gold market in Tehran Bazaar is still closed.
0635 GMT: On Guard! General Amir Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan, commander of Iran's land forces, has announced that large parts of southern Iran will become "armed territory".
However, the foreign threat is not the main concern of Hojatoleslam Ali Saidi, the Supreme Leader's representative to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. He has declared that the "smallest mistake of officials will be punished heavily".
0630 GMT: Economy Watch (Revolutionary Guard Edition). The Minister of Economy, speaking in the Parliament, has spoken about the privatisation of Iran Telecom. He said that a rival of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps was eliminated from the bidding after the demand of "one of the securityforces organisations".
0625 GMT: Government Retreat on Subsidy Cuts? Mohammad Reza Farzin, the Deputy Minister of Economy, has said the subsidy cut plan could be postponed. The current intention is to start reductions in Mehr (September/October), but Farzin says this is "perhaps too early".
0620 GMT: The Universities Dispute. Rah-e-Sabz reports that the head of Iran's judiciary, Sadegh Larijani, has met former President Hashemi Rafsanjani to discuss the conflict over control of Islamic Azad University, but there has been no resolution.
0555 GMT: To Lose One Journalist is a Misfortune, To Lose Four Looks Like Carelessness. Peyke Iran claims that a cultural reporter for Fars News has fled to France. His departure follows those of Hossein Salmanzadeh of the photo section, photojournalist Javad Moghimi, and political journalist Farahmand Alipour.
0530 GMT: Many thanks to readers for providing a rolling service of news and analysis while I was busy in the International Summer School on Wednesday.
Catching Up with the News....
Amiri Not A Nuclear Scientist Shocker
Iranian state media is setting out the line on the curious case of scientist Shahram Amiri, who returned to Iran from the US yesterday, purportedly through his words on his 14 months outside the country. Press TV has him saying:
The US administration has connected my abduction to Iran's nuclear case to pursue certain goals and exert pressure on the Iranian government. While I was being interrogated by US intelligence agents, they urged me to announce that I carried a laptop containing important information and applied for asylum.
The statement links back to the Americans' claim in recent years that they have an Iranian laptop proving Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapons, a claim disputed by many analysts. There are flourishes such as "Israel agents" at Amiri's interrogation, the "heaviest mental torture", and an offer of $10 million to appear on CNN and announce his defection.
Interestingly, Amiri is no longer a "nuclear scientist" in the article. He is an "academic".
Why the US would put so much effort into abducting a mere "scholar" is not made clear by Press TV.
And He Doesn't Get His $5 Million, Either
The US Government line, put out in The Washington Post, is a good-bye to Amiri with the sneer, "We're keeping your defection money."
Officials say Amiri was paid more than $5 million by the CIA before breaking off "significant cooperation" and "abruptly returning" to Iran because he missed his family:
Anything he got is now beyond his reach, thanks to the financial sanctions on Iran. He's gone, but his money's not. We have his information, and the Iranians have him.
tagged Ahmad Beygi Habib-Abadi, Alef, Ali Dehqanian, Amir Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan, Amir Javadifar, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Gholam Reza Rezvani, Ayatollah Ka'abi, Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Modarresi Yazdi, Dmitry Medvedev, Farahmand Alipour, Fars News, Fereshteh Ghazi, Gholam-Hossein Elham, Guardian Council, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Hojatoleslam Ali Saidi, Hossein Salmanzadeh, Iran, Isfahan Oil Refining Company, Islamic Azad University, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Javad Moghimi, Kahrizak Prison, Kalemeh, Khodro, Massoud Mir-Kazemi, Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mohammad Ahmadinejad, Mohammad Hadi Sadegh, Mohammad Khatami, Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, Mohammad Sadegh Larijani, Mohammad Salimi, Nategh Nouri, Peyke Iran, Press TV, Radio Zamaneh, Rah-e-Sabz, Russia, Saipa, Sergei Shmatko, Shahram Amiri, Siamak Rahpeyk, Tehran Bazaar, Washington Post in Middle East & Iran
Ahmad Beygi Habib-Abadi, Alef, Ali Dehqanian, Amir Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan, Amir Javadifar, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Gholam Reza Rezvani, Ayatollah Ka'abi, Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Modarresi Yazdi, Dmitry Medvedev, Farahmand Alipour, Fars News, Fereshteh Ghazi, Gholam-Hossein Elham, Guardian Council, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Hojatoleslam Ali Saidi, Hossein Salmanzadeh, Iran, Isfahan Oil Refining Company, Islamic Azad University, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Javad Moghimi, Kahrizak Prison, Kalemeh, Khodro, Massoud Mir-Kazemi, Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mohammad Ahmadinejad, Mohammad Hadi Sadegh, Mohammad Khatami, Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, Mohammad Sadegh Larijani, Mohammad Salimi, Nategh Nouri, Peyke Iran, Press TV, Radio Zamaneh, Rah-e-Sabz, Russia, Saipa, Sergei Shmatko, Shahram Amiri, Siamak Rahpeyk, Tehran Bazaar, Washington Post in Middle East & Iran
Reader Comments (23)
exactly right...Shahram Amiri is a fraud he is no nuclear scientist but rather a puppet for the regime in iran
I think the snarky tone towards Amiri is a bit uncalled for. It's very likely--or at least certainly possible--that he was offered money by the CIA, accepted a deal, then decided to back out once his family was threatened in Iran.
Iranphd,
My apology. My snarkiness was meant for the presentation of this by Iranian state media and by US officials, each of whom are clearly using Amiri to get out the "right" political story on this case.
I fully agree that Amiri is in a terrible position, which may be exploited by different agencies in different countries.
S.
“smallest mistake of officials will be punished heavily”.
I have to say that I do not understand the 0635 post. Could somebody elaborate a bit further please?
Barry
Re: Shahram Amiri
I find the following theory more plausible.
Shahram Amiri is an agent of Islamic Republic. This entire matter was planned by Islamic Republic with the help of KGB. Amiri was to provide false information to the U.S. throwing U.S. off track with regard to Islamic Republic nuclear activities. If plot failed Amiri was to launch a negative campaign against U.S
The plot may have unfolded as follows:
Islamic Republic hires some Hezbollah thugs to carry out the make believe kidnapping operation with Amiri as a willing participant. Kidnappers hand Amiri to Saudi government and get a handsome reward. Saudis fall for it. They think they are going to do U.S. and themselves a big favor by handing Amiri, the big fish, to the U.S. embassy.
Amiri plays on by playing a kidnapped victim and a scientist who knows a lot about Islamic Republic nuclear activities. He asks for asylum in return for information. U.S. unaware of Islamic Republic plot and that Amiri’s intel, e.g. location, scope, capabilities, etc, are all false agrees to consider Amiri's application for asylum. Shortly after Amiri’s arrival in the U.S., Iranians rise up to protest the rigged presidential election. Post election turmoil and Islamic Republic brutal response scares the hell out of Amiri. He feels the regime may fall and he is worried about his family and their safety. Amiri decides to become double agent and asks U.S. to help his family safe departure from Iran. Islamic Republic gets the wind of this and realizes Amiri is gone astray.
It is possible that killing of Professor Mohammadi by a car bomb was a warning to Amiri. Some news sources indicated Mohammadi was planning to leave on sabbatical to Europe. Did Mohammadi know Amiri? Were they in contact with one another before and after Amiri left for Saudi?
Islamic Republic starts pressuring Amir’s family. In the meantime CIA realizes that information Amiri is providing does not compute with their other sources of information. U.S. probably tries testing some of Amiri’s intel in the first round of negotiation in Geneva and realizes they have bad information. CIA smells rat and U.S. decides to deny Amiri’s asylum application.
Things start going rapidly sour for Amiri. U.S. decides it is time for him to leave. U.S. agents finally take him to Washington, D.C. and hand him to Pakistan embassy to facilitate his departure. Amiri launches the second part of his mission, negative campaign against U.S with YouTube videos which had been prepared in advance with the help of KGB and long before Amiri’s departure for Saudi.
We are watching first episode of this show. Get the popcorn, the show has just started.
So let’s check the score and round up winners and losers thus far.
Who is screwed? Amiri. He would die in an explosion like professor Mohammadi and Islamic Republic will blame U.S. and Israel. Or he may commit suicides like the young Kharizak doctor.
Who thinks they have won? Islamic Republic by diverting attention from its own despicable hostage taking and atrocities by pointing finger to U.S., the big bad bully.
Who is duped? CIA and Saudis.
Who is holding the bag? U.S. administration that now has to invest time and money to deny involvement.
Who is laughing all the way to the bank? KGB.
Who is enjoying the show? Moscow.
Who is stupid? Islamic Retard Republic, who is bank rolling KGB, paying everybody and his uncle, and using every trick in the book to get its damn bloody hands on nuclear weapon.
RE an offer of $10 million to appear on CNN and announce his defection.
The CNN presenters were saying the most amazing part of this story was that anynone would think CNN has $10 million just laying around in the first place. :-)
This story is everywhere today:
According to a new study by the Oxford Research Group, a leading security think tank., entitled "Military Action Against Iran: Impact and Effects", an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities would engulf the Middle East in a protracted regional war and trigger a global economic crisis over oil prices.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/07/middle-east-israel-preparing-to-strike-iran-report-says-1.html" rel="nofollow">http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2...
Barbara Slavin has an article out saying Iran's economic protests could prove more worrisome for the Tehran government than last year's Iranian political demonstrations.
Iranian unrest grows over economic woes
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LG15Ak01.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LG15Ak...
International Committee Against Executions: A Government of Killers
According to a report by the International Committee Against Executions, there are 170 people sentenced to death in Tabriz prison. The prisoners list includes children and youth, and there is one woman who is pregnant and two more women who are senteced to stoning.
http://persian2english.com/?p=12747" rel="nofollow">http://persian2english.com/?p=12747
Today's Straight Face Challenge
Iran summons Canadian charge d'affaires over 'human rights violation'
During the meeting with the Canadian envoy, the Iranian Foreign Ministry representative criticised the “violent and inhumane” behaviour of the Toronto police and the widespread arrest of protesters. The representative also reminded Canada of its international obligation to allow peaceful demonstrations and called on the Canadian government to respect the rights of detainees and to take action against the police forces.
In addition, the representative voiced Iran's “concern” over the “uncertain fate” of the detainees and requested the immediate explanation on the part of the Canadian government.
http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jul/14/2162" rel="nofollow">http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jul/1...
From Russia With Tough Love:
Russia tells Iran: come clean over weapons work
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday he wanted an explanation from Tehran over the "military components" of Iran's nuclear programme.
http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE66E1GI20100715" rel="nofollow">http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE...
Leader reinstates 3 theologians to GC
The Leader reinstated Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, Ayatollah Gholam Reza Rezvani and Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Modarresi Yazdi to the Guardian Council on Thursday.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=134872§ionid=351020101" rel="nofollow">http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=134872&sec...
Mr Verde - your thoughts?
This is the second Medvedev comment in 4 or 5 days. Looks like he knows some thing, that we still don't. And if America and Russia know some thing, the Chinese will soon find out, or will be told about it. So I suspect that in the coming days, we'll hear comments from Chinese officials as well.
Catherine,
My immediate reaction to this piece was "Under the Category of 'No S***, Sherlock'".
I continue to hold the view that any Israeli Government gesture toward possible military action is mere posturing and that any Iranian Government elevation of that threat has more to do with internal position rather than a presentation of the current military situation.
S.
Washington Post : U.S. paid Iranian nuclear scientist $5 million for aid to CIA, officials say
http://tinyurl.com/29bxdvw" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/29bxdvw
Parliament Watch
Nayyereh Akhavan criticised in an interview with Fars the MP's lack of discipline, and especially a pilgrimage with wives to Mekka at charge of the parliament's budget: http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=19204" rel="nofollow">http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=19204
Our Holy Republic's self service!
“This is a preparation for Yazdi’s own succession as Leader and a justification of Ahmadinejad."
Succession? Yazdi? Come on, people of Iran, don't let it get to this.
Lawyers Watch
Ayatollah Kashani’s Statements: Clear Indication of Pressure on Independent Lawyers / In his Friday Prayers sermon, Kashani stated that defending suspects whose case files are not “legitimate,” is “forbidden.”
http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2010/07/ayatollah-kashani-statements/" rel="nofollow">http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2010/07/ayatolla...
IRNA's breaking news: 2 huge explosions in Zahedan, one near Masjed Jame' mosque, details to follow http://www.irna.ir/View/FullStory/?NewsId=1228835" rel="nofollow">http://www.irna.ir/View/FullStory/?NewsId=1228835
What idiots these Jundullah are. Killing all of these innocent people to "fight" the iranian regime? They just give the regime an excuse to keep killing. Meanwhile if they put their efforts into non-violent political organizing they could actually put the regime on the defensive like the Greens.
This story may be of interest to EA readers:
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/2hmje9" rel="nofollow">http://www.twitlonger.com/show/2hmje9
Scott,
RE "Under the Category of 'No S***, Sherlock'".
You betcha! :-)
But my immediate reaction to this piece, and others like it, is - in light of all the polls that show a majority of Americans favouring a military "solution" to the standoff with Iran - the more reports and experts out there describing and guaranteeing the horrific consequences of a military attack on Iran, the better.
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