Iran War Watch: Updated 8-23-9
|
-
A-O Report Special Coverage
-
-
Iran War Watch:
-
War Rhetoric Updates
-
Last Update: 8-23-9
-
Iran Lawmakers Warn of Clash
With President Ahmadinejad
In a sign that perhaps Iranian lawmakers are not ready to accept President Ahmadinejad's legitimacy as president, lawmakers warned of a coming clash with the President over his cabinet nominees. Lawmkers consider the President's newest nominees to be unqualified for the positions and accuse the president of nominating "cronies."
It appears that the stage is set for a political clash between the Iranian Parliament (The Majlis) and the radical President. The A-O Intelligence Digest had reported in last week's edition signals that perhaps the Parliament would stand aside and support the President's second term of office. In the latest edition of of the Digest we report that Iranian insider sources reveal a more turbulent situation has emerged this week with rumors of a counter-coup in the works.
For more details on the lawmaker's warning - LINK HERE. For additional insights and analysis of the inner turmoil inside Tehran, A-O donors will want to check out the new A-O Intelligence Digest edtion on the A-O Insider Report's private section for donors.
+++++++++
Iranian Clerics Call
Supreme Ayatollah a Dictator
Demain His Removal
An anonymous letter written by a group of Iranian clerics is circulating in Iran. The letter describes Supreme Ayatollah Khamenei a dicator and demands his removal from office. The letter was posted anonymously on an Iranian website.
This is but another indication of the growing turmoil building within Iran's borders in the wake of the June 12, presidential election. The election results showed President Ahmadinejad winning in a landslide amid reports of election tampering.
Rumors are swirling around the country of revolution, coups and counter-coups. For more on this particular letter, LINK HERE.
++++++++
Iran's Supreme Leader Calls For
Muslims to Unite Militarily For
The Coming of Islamic "messiah"
The Mahdi
Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei last week, called on Muslim nations around the world to unite militarily in response to the imminent coming of Islam's messianic savior – the Mahdi.
Khamenei, through his spokesman Ali Saeedi, specifically beckoned the nations of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and Afghanistan to join together with Iran in preparation for the Mahdi's soon coming.
The purpose of uniting now, a report in Al Arabiya explained, is to fight Israel and the U.S. – seen as the two greatest obstacles to the coming of the Mahdi and the age of Islamic "justice" that would ensue. Full story details, LINK HERE.
++++++++
Iran's President Unveils New Cabinet
++++++++
Iran Hints a Willingness to Talk
Iran's President Ahmadinejad has hinted that his nation may yet be willing to engage in diplomatic talks with the International Community, accorduing to a report in the New York Times. See their coverage - LINK HERE.
++++++++
Iran Again Refuses Nuke Talks
Israel Warns of New Arms To Terrorists
Iran again has refused to engage in further nuclear talks, while Israel warns that Tehran is shipping more weapons to Hezbollah and Hamas. More details on both developments, LINK HERE.
++++++++
Israel Claims UN Covering Up
Evidence of Iran Nuclear Weapons
Israel has accused the UN's nuclear watchdog agency, the IAEA, of covering up evidence of an Iranian nuclear weapons program. More details, LINK HERE.
++++++++
Israel Presses Russia on Aid to Iran
Israel's President Shimon Peres met this past week with Russian President Medvedev and asked the Russian leader to reconsider selling the S-300 anti-air missile defense system to Iran.
The Israeli leader also indicated that Israel is not planning on any strikes against Iran. More details LINK HERE.
+++++++
Russia Would Consider More
Weapons Sales to Iran If Asked
++++++++
Syria, Iraq & Turkey
To Discuss Water Shortages
++++++++
Obama To Ease Syria Trade
President Obama is easing export restrictions with Syria in an effort to persuade the Syrian president to abandon his allegiance to Iran amid new reports of a sudden rift between Syrian President Assad and Iran's President Ahmadinejad.
More details, LINK HERE.
+++++++++
Iran Reinforces Syrian Alliance
++++++++
Israeli PM To Push For
Tougher Sanctions on Iran
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-
Prior Update Below: 8-16-9
-
Iran To Make Way For Islamic Messiah
Earlier this month, Iran staged a multi-day conference of politicians, clerics and stundes from both the Shiite and Sunni sects of Islam. The purpose of the conference was to develop a program that would hasten the coming of their Islamic "messiah" known as "The Mahdi."
For mroe details on this developing story, LINK HERE.
+++++++
Israeli Paper Raises Iran Strike Possibilities
An all-hebrew language Israeli paper, Maariv ran a headline story last Wednesday quoting senior Israeli officials as saying that Israel could launch airstrikes (without US permission) against Iran that would set back iran's nuclear weapons program but noted that time was running out for such endeavors.
We can expect such stories to be deliberately leaked to keep Iran's regime on its toes guessing about Israel's military option. For more on this story, LINK HERE.
+++++++
Arabs Pressure US For
Military Action Against Iran
We've been reporting in our A-O Intelligence Digest that Arab leaders have been hoping and trying to convince President Obama to forget diplomacy and just launch military action against Iran's nuclear weapons facilities. Now, WorldNetDaily is reporting similar information. Read their report, LINK HERE.
+++++++
More Iran Protesters Go On Trial
+++++++
Iran Seeks UN Ban
Against US/Israeli Military Strikes
Against Iran's nuclear facilities
The Iranian government is asking the UN Security Council to pass a resolution outlawing any military action by the U.S. or Israel that would attempt to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities. LINK HERE.
+++++++
Hezbollah Leader Threatens Israel
If Beirut is Bombed, Tel Aviv to be Bombed
+++++++
Syrian Missile Test Fails
A Syrian missile test failed miserably after straying off course and landing in a populated area of Syria. The missile, a new type of Scud rocket was part of a joint test effort that included experts from Iran and North Korea. 20 Syrian civilians were reportedly killed in the incident. For more details, LINK HERE.
+++++++
Syria Insists on Turkey
To Mediate Any Peace Talks
Involving Israel
The Syrian government has officially rejected a U.S. proposal to mediate peace talks beteween Syria and Israel. The announcment comes as a blow to President Obama's attempts to mediate peace between Syria and Israel. More details, LINK HERE.
++++++++
Iran Political Oppenent Forms
Grass Roots Protest Movement
One of Iran's defeated presidential candidates Mir Hussein Moussavi announced over the weekend the formation of a new social and political movement. The reformist candidate made the announcement on his website that fulfills a promise made during the contentious post-election drama to maintain the battle for government reform.
Meanwhile, the Ahmadinejad administration continues to bring protesters to trial for treason amid calls from moderate lawmakers for a government crackdown to eradicate the protests which President Ahmadinejad claims is part of "western" plot to overthrow the Islamic Republic. More details, LINK HERE. Follow up details, LINK HERE.
+++++++
Iran Torturing Imprisoned Protesters
+++++++
- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-
Previous Update 8-10-9
-
-
US Intel Update on Iran Nukes:
Iran Won't Go Nuclear Until 2013
Accordint to the U.S. National Intelligence Director, Dennis Blair, Iran will not be in any position to manufacture and deploy a nuclear weapon before the year 2013.
The news comes from a report supplied by the NID to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence back in April which has now been released for publication by the Federation of American Scientists after filing a Freedom of Information Act request.
Such reports come in direct conflict with Israeli and European intelligence reports (especially German) indicating that Iran is now able to build a nuclear bomb capable of deployment, although the process to due so will take nearly 12 months to complete the process.
Of course all reports are based on the assumption that Iran has no secretly hidden parallel weapons program. Some intelligence reports beleive that a parallel program has been operating now for the past 5 or more years so that Iran's true capabilities remain unknown.
More details on this latest US intelligence assessment, LINK HERE.
++++++++++
Iran Prez Inaugurated 2nd Time
Iran's Presdient Ahmadinejad was sworn in last week for a second term of office amid protests from reformers and a boycott of the ceremony by moderate lawmakers. More details, LINK HERE.
++++++++++
Regime Seeks Revenge on Opponents
+++++++++
Iranian Protestors Put on Trial
+++++++++
Hardliners Take Off Gloves
+++++++++
Iran Regime Says Protestors
Were Part of Western Plot
- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Prior Update: 8-3-9
-
Iran Ready to Build N-Bomb!
Only Needs Supreme Leader's OK
-
According to a British newspaper, citing western intelligence sources - Iran is now ready to build a nuclear bomb and is simply waiting for authorization from the Supreme Ayatollah.
The British newspaper, "The Times" says that its sources understand that Iran had completed the necessary research program to create weaponized uranium back in 2003. Sources report that upon receiving orders from the Supreme Ayatollah, Iran could have a nuclear weapon completed within a year of such an order.
The newspaper's sources report that the US NIE report of 2007 had stated the Iranians had halted their nuclear weapons program out of fear of military attack from the US when the US invaded Iraq. According to The Times's sources the real reason the Iranians halted their program was because it had achieved its objective - acquisition of the knowledge for building a bomb.
These same sources estimate that should the Supreme Ayatollah order the construction of a bomb, it would take the Iranians 6 months to refine the uranium into weapons-grade and then another 6 months to assemble the warhead. These sources also claim that the Iranian Defense Ministry has indeed been running a covert nuclear weapons program for years unknown to UN inspectors.
The Times also reports that the time frame for building a bomb could vary depending on how many working centrifuges are available to the Iranians. It is possible that it could take less than six months. The sources also report that it is unknown whether or not the Ayatollah may have already ordered the building of a bome.
For more details, LINK HERE.
+++++
-
US Developing New Bomb
To Destroy Iran's Underground
Nuclear Facilities
Reuter's newswire reports that the US is developing a new non-nuclear, "bunker-buster" bomb 10 times more powerful than previous bunker buster bombs. The new bomb is thought to be capable of penetrating down 200 feet to destroy underground bunkers where Iran's nuclear weapons facilities are located.
The new bomb being developed has not been given authorization for procurement, only research developmetn. Congress would have to fund the program to buy the bombs. Also, Congress would have to authorize additional funds to enhance the B-2 Stealth bombers so that they could be outfitted to carry the bombs.
The release of this news does not mean that the Pentagon or the White House will ask for such spending and deployment. It may well be that this news story was deliberately leaked to the news media to send a message to Iran that the US is capable of destroying even the most entrenched facilities in Iran and thus encouraging Iran to negotiate its nuclear weapons program.
For more on this story, LINK HERE.
+++++++++++++-
Prior Update: 8-2-9
-
Editor's Note: In our Donor's section - you'll find further intelligence information and analysis of Middle East developments related to the Iran situation, including the Obama Administration's latest foreign policy revisions, plus what Obama Administration officials told Israeli leaders this past week plus Saudi Arabia's anger at Obama's new policies and indications that regime change - one way or another - might be coming to Iran sooner than anyone realizes. It's all in the A-O Intelligence Digest edition - posting on 8-3-9 at The A-O Insider Report section - (for donors only) - of our website.
+++++++
Crunch Time For Israel on Iran
America's former UN ambassador (under the Bush Administration) John Bolton has written an op-ed column in the Wall Street Journal explaining why he will not be surprised if Israel launches military strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities before the end of 2009
Bolton has been a staunch friend of Israel and presents a case why Israel will have to decide soon whether or not to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. His comments reflect much of what we noted in last week's A-O Intelligence Digest published in our donor section - The A-O Insider Report. We suspect his article is a subtle indicator of Israel's plans and a validation of what we've been hearing and passing along to our readers. His comments validate our earlier reporting. Read his opinion article - LINK HERE.
+++++++++
U.S. Tells Israel:
Iran Has 8 Weeks
According to one Washington "wag," columnist Robert Dreyfuss of The Nation, key Obama officials visiting Israel have told Israeli leaders that the US is giving Iran only 8 more weeks to start talking to the US about its nuclear program.If not, the US will propose tougher sanctions. There's more to this story than Drefuss is reporting and we cover that in our donor's section, The A-O Insider Report. We go into more details on what's reportedly going on behind the scenes in the Obama Administration.
To read the Dreyfuss Report article on the Iranian nuclear situation - LINK HERE.
+++++++++
Iran's Prez Warned
He Could Be Overthrown
The political turmoil continues to swirl in Iran. Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahamdinejad was warned by some of his supporters that he could be overthrown. The warning came from the Islamic Society of Engineers who sent the president openly public letter because he was no longer listening to the Iranian people.
The fact that the Islamic Society of Engineers, a group of Ahmadinejad's supporters, had publicly criticized the President indicates that the President is losing his own base of support after a series of irrational actions by the President in which more than half of his cabinet either resigned or was fired. For more details on the open letter and the possibilities that Ahmadinejad might be deposed - see the LINK HERE.
+++++++++
Iran Puts 100 Reformist Leaders On Trial
+++++++++
Iran's Prez Warns Political Foes
Iran's president warned his poltical opponents on Friday (7/31) that their attempts to cause a split between himself and the Supreme Ayatollah would fail. Moer details, LINK HERE.
++++++++
Iran's President Denies
Rift with Supreme Leader
Rumors and accusations have been flying back and forth between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his political foes, including reports of a rift between the Supreme Ayatollah Khamenei and the President.
The rumors and accusations come as the Iranian president finds himself without half of a cabinet due to firings and resignations. For more details on the political infighting inside Iran's regime - LINK HERE. Note to donors: We'll have more inside information and analysis of what's going on within the regime within our donor section: The A-O Insider Report.
++++++++
Iranian Police Block Graveside Protests
Iranian police halted graveside memorial services for protestors killed in anti-government protests following the Iranian presidential election of June 12.
Iranian police broke up graveside memorial services only to be forced to contend with an outbreak of street demonstrations in various parts of Tehran. Clashes erupted over various parts of the capital on Thursday afternoon (7/30) and were matched by police beatings and tear gas.
Political opposition leaders were barred from joining the graveside memorials, particularly the at the grave of a young woman who became famous in death as a cellphone video spread worldwide on the internet showing her dying breaths after being shot by police.Her name, Neda Agha Soltan has become a rallying cry for the opposition which now seems bent on regime change.
The latest intelligence reports indicate that more internal strife lies ahead within Iran, even as President Ahmadinejad prepares to be sworn in for a second term of office. The new issue of The A-O Intelligence Digest provides additional intelligence analysis of the situation in Iran and the possibilities of regime change.
For more details on the current unrest within Iran - LINK HERE.
++++++++
Video of New Iran Protests
++++++++
Iran Warships To Aden Gulf
Iran has dispatched two additional warships and a submarine to the Gulf of Aden, relieving a similar contingent already on station in the region.
The naval deployment's public purpose is to protect Iranian merchant ships from pirates roaming the region, but naval experts note that the underlying purpose is to observe Israeli and U.S. naval traffic and if necessary to intercept and shadow any Israeli warships that might be headed for Iran's coastline. Iran suspects that Israel might attempt to use its navy to conduct strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. For more details on this story, LINK HERE.
++++++++
Russia & Iran To Conduct
Joint Naval Exercises In Caspian Sea
30 Warships Involved
++++++++
White House Doubts Diplomacy on Iran
Senior Obama Administration officials reportedly informed Israeli officials during visits this week to Israel that the White House is losing faith in the idea that diplomacy with Iran could halt Iran's nuclear weapons program. The lack of confidence comes in part due to post-election turmoil within Iran which has distracted Iran's regime leaders from focusing on foreign affairs. Read teh full story from Israel - LINK HERE.
++++++++
Iran Arrests 3 USA Tourists
++++++++
US Anti-Missile Test Success
The US conducted another successful anti-missile test on Thur (7/30) off the Hawaiian Islands as tensions remain over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. More details, LINK HERE.
+++++++++
Prior Update:
7-28-9
-
-
Editor's Note: This page will provide ongoing postings of latest Mideast war talk rhetoric - primarily regarding Iran's nuclear weapons program. We'll mark and separate each additional update with the date it was posted with prior updates dropping down below it, so that the latest news is always at the top of this page.
-
-
Defense Sec'y Gates Confers With Israel
U.S. Secretary of Defense, Bob Gates arrived in Israel on Monday for consultations with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The two defense chiefs primary topic of conversation reportedly revolved around Iran's nuclear weapons program and the possibility of military action.
After the meeting, IDF chief Barak stated that all options remain on the table for Israel, including the use of military force. Gates responded afterwards with the usual White House mantra that the U.S. hoped Iran would yet agree to diplomatic dialogue on the nuclear issue. Behind closed doors, the talks were far more hawkish than what was presented publicly. Publicly, the US will continue on as if nothing has changed and will publicly continue to prmoote a call for diplomatic dialogue - preobably through the end of September.
As we understand it and have posted in the latest A-O Intelligence Digest edition, Washington is encouraging Israel to slowly escalate the "drums of war" to ratchet up tensions with Iran in hopes that Iran might yet be drawn to the negotiating table and if not keep the Iranians unnerved and guessing as to when an Israeli attack (possibly with U.S. involvement) might occur.
Meanwhile, Secretary Gates' visit to Israel will be followed by a hoard of Administration officials and top brass from the Pentagon for a week of consultations. The speculation is that the Pentagon will confer with Israel to calibrate plans for military strikes against Iran sometime in the next 90 days. We'll be posting additional updates on this aspect as needed during the week in our donor's private section of this website, called "The A-O Insider Report."
If you're not a donor but would like to be kept abreast of the latest behind the scenes developments that we learn of, just visit our Donations Page - LINK HERE - to learn how easy it is to donate online via Paypal and a credit or debit card or by sending a personal check through the US Postal Service.
For more details on Secretary Gates visit to Israel - LINK HERE.
+++++++++
Iran Threatens Israeli Nukes
The leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corp warned Israel on Saturday, (7/26) that if Israel attacks Iran, Iran will respond by attacking Iran's nuclear weapons facilities with Iranian missiles. For more on the threat, LINK HERE.
+++++++++
Clinton Warns Iran:
No Nukes Ever
Over the weekend, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reversed comments made earlier last week concerning Iran's nuclea weapons program. Last week, Clinton hinted that the U.S. was resigned to the idea that Iran would eventually become a nuclear weapons power.
On a Sunday morning TV talk show, NBC-TV's "Meet the Press" - Clinton announced that Iran would never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapons arsenal. As we noted in our latest A-O Intelligence Digest edition, Clinton's remarks were the result of a shift in thinking within the Obama White House to consider the use of military force against Iran, perhaps even before the end of the year.
For more details on Clinton's remarks - LINK HERE.
+++++++++
Israel Preps For Iran Strikes
+++++++++
Iran Demands Israel Dismantle Nukes
++++++++
Tensions Build on Border
Between Israel & Lebanon
++++++++
s
s
s
s
s
-
-
-
-
-
-