See newer Articles: after August 31, 2006

Israel may 'go it alone' against Iran

Aug. 24, 2006 - An unnamed "senior source" in Israel expressed concern at Iran's response to the U.N. demand that they stop enriching uranium. Russia and China want to just keep talking, and most of the world will do nothing about it. He said, "This is similar to the world's attempts to appease Hitler in the 1930s - they are trying to feed the beast."

The official explained that the U.S. is supportive of Israel's situation, but would probably not help with military action for quite some time, so Israel must be prepared to "slow down" the Iranian nuclear threat by itself.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Why this man [Almadinejad] should give us all nightmares - Daily Mail

Talks urged on Iran nuclear issue

Aug. 23, 2006 - Iran's official response to the U.N. about its nuclear program offers "serious talks" with six world powers, but no willingness to suspend their uranium enrichment. China and Russia express willingness to follow their suggestion, evidently holding off any U.N. sanctions while engaging Iran in diplomatic discussions.

Source: BBC

Iran Delivers Decision on Nuclear Incentives Package

Aug. 22, 2006 - Iran has delivered its response to the U.N. demand to suspend uranium enrichment. The contents have not yet been revealed to the public, and officials say that Iran is offering a "new formula."

"Iran's response to the package is a comprehensive reply that can open the way for resumption of talks for a final agreement," Mohammed Saeedi, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, was quoted as saying.

If Iran is determined to continue its nuclear program, the U.N. could impose economic and diplomatic sanctions.

Source: Fox

August 22 - Iran’s Military Exercise and Apocalyptic Plans for Israel and World

Aug. 20, 2006 - Iran has begun five weeks of military exercises in 14 of their 30 provinces.

The maneuver... involves 12 divisions, army Chinook helicopters, unmanned planes, parachutists, electronic war units and special forces. State-run television reported a new anti-aircraft system was tested “to make Iranian air space unsafe for our enemies.”

Intelligence sources claim that a secret report presented to Iran’s supreme ruler Ali Khamenei by Abdollah Shabhazi, one of the heads of the Supreme National Security Council, exposes a major terror plot against Jerusalem on August 22, which may kill large numbers of Jews, Arabs and Christians. This attack will supposedly give the U.S. and Israel cause to strike nuclear and military targets in Iran.

Source: DEBKAfile

Don't Panic About August 22!

Aug. 11, 2006 - Read our commentary about this threat, and how to keep it in perspective.

Iranian cataclysm forecast Aug. 22 Islamists seeking heaven could spark apocalypse, Princeton expert warns

Aug. 8, 2006 - Princeton's Bernard Lewis, a top expert on the Mideast, wrote an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, saying that it possible that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad could pick Aug. 22, the anniversary of one of Islam's holiest events, to unleash a nuclear attack that could bring about the apocalypse. Ahmadinejad's stated belief is that an Islamic "messiah" will soon be revealed. In his view, it wouldn't matter if his country were to be destroyed in the process, making them martyrs for their cause.

Lewis noted that Ahmadinejad has referred to Aug. 22 several times, including when he rejected – until that date – United Nations requests for nuclear program information.

Aug. 22 is the anniversary of "the night flight of the prophet Muhammad" to Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back.

Source: WorldNetDaily

Bernard Lewis: August 22 "might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world" - Jihad Watch

Could Aug. 22 Be the End of the World Thanks to Iran? - Fox

Olmert hopes for "eternal covenant" with Arabs

July 17, 2006 - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel tried to avoid confrontations by withdrawing from occupied areas. He said he hoped an "eternal covenant" could soon be signed between Israel and its neighbors.

Source: Jerusalem Post

SEE: WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND LEBANON

Brink of War: Lebanon Launches Retaliatory Assault on Israel

July 13, 2006 - Israel has targeted two Lebanese town with missile attacks. Hezbollah warned that the major port city of Haifa would be targeted Israel strikes Beirut.

A strike on Haifa, Israel's third largest city, would be the deepest ever into Israel by Hezbollah guerrillas and would sharply escalate the violence amid Israel's fierce bombing campaign in Lebanon...

Source: Fox

Reaction and Updates: Korean Missile Launch

July 6, 2006
All nations seem to agree that North Korea should not be conducting missile tests now that they have nuclear capabilities, and the United Nations is considering sanctions against them. However, Russia and China want a lesser rebuke. Meanwhile, North Korea brags about its successes and plans to launch even more missiles.

Iran Finances N. Korean Missile Program - Middleast News Line

N Korea vows more missile tests - BBC

Don't meddle in our affairs, Gorbachev warns the West

June 26, 2006 - Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the Soviet Union, who was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, director of two world organizations he founded: the World Political Forum (WPF) and Green Cross International, an environmental organisation. He has warned the West not to put pressure on Russian President Putin over human rights, since they have their own standards, and the people of Russia are very close to Putin's positions.

Source:Times Online (Story no longer online)

Iran would 'use nuclear defense' if threatened

June 15, 2006 - Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar told a Syrian official that Iran would "use nuclear defense as a potential" if "threatened by any power." Officially, Iran still says that they are only developing nuclear power plants, not nuclear weapons.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Iranian Foreign Minister Welcomes U.S. Talks Without Halting Nuke Program

June 1, 2006 - The U.S. offered the hope of direct talks with Iran that could lead to economic incentives, but said that Iran would have to suspend nuclear activities that could produce a bomb. Iran welcomed the talks, but reacted to the condition of suspending uranium enrichment.

"Iran welcomes dialogue under just conditions but (we) won't give up our (nuclear) rights," the state-run Iranian television quoted Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki as saying Thursday.

Source: Fox

Iran's military plans for invasion by U.S.

May 31, 2006 - Iran knows that an attack from the U.S. would be quick and accurate, and accomplished entirely by air. They do not have the means to stop air strikes, but they have been conducting military exercises to prepare for guerrilla-type warfare, just in case the invasion would involve ground troops. One military exercise involved 100,000 Iranian soldiers.

Source: Washington Times (Story no longer online)

Reagan's SDI Deployed Against Iran, North Korea

May 28, 2006 - The "Star Wars" defense system that was so controversial when Ronald Reagan was President will now be deployed to protect the U.S. against attacks by the madmen running Iran and North Korea. The system, officially known as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)could also be used to protect European countries.

"In a move that is raising hackles in Moscow, the U.S. is proposing to install an anti-missile defense system in central Europe to counter any future attack from a nuclear-armed Iran"

Source: NewsMax

Iran Seeks Anti-U.S. Axis

May 26, 2006 - Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, revealed that Iran is trying to form a coalition that would oppose U.S. interests in the Middle East and Central Asia.

"China, Russia, India and Iran are capable of establishing a pole of major powers in Asia, opposing the policies of America," .

Source:Middle East Newsline

Russia Opposes Use of Force Against Iran - News Max

Olmert: Bush and I are in full agreement on how to confront Iran

May 24, 2006 - Discussing his meeting with Israeli President Olmert, President Bush said, "We determined that the Iranian regime must not obtain nuclear weapons."

Source: Ha'Aretz (Story no longer online)

A color code for Iran's 'infidels'

May 19, 2006 - Iran's lawmakers have passed a measure that, if approved by the "Supreme Guide" Ali Khamenei, will go into effect, possibly as early as this fall.

Religious minorities - Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians - will be required to adopt distinct colour schemes to make them identifiable in public. This will enable Muslims to avoid shaking hands with non-Muslims, which they believe causes them to become unclean.

The new law may be unpopular with Iranians too because it will limit their freedom of dress, which they have enjoyed for hundreds of years. The Ethnological Museum in Tehran displays examples of hundreds of different styles of clothing Iranians have employed.

According to [Iranian President] Ahmadinejad, the new Islamic uniforms will establish "visual equality" for Iranians as they prepare for the return of the Hidden Imam.

Source: National Post - Canada (Story no longer online)

Paper apologizes for Iran dress story - Jerusalem Post

Israeli Official: ''Israel Will Hit Iran''

May 9, 2006 - An unnamed Israeli official told the Editor-In-Chief of United Press International that he believed Israel would strike Iran's nuclear sites within the next three months. He said that they would not use bombers, but missiles. They have a variety of missiles available, including Cruise Missiles and their own Jericho-II's

“Israel has developed some 100 Jericho-II medium-range ballistic missiles (which entered service in 1989). Jericho II’s range varies from 1,500 to 3,500 kilometres, depending on payload weight.

Source: Daily Times - Pakistan

Iran 'fails to heed nuclear call'

April 28, 2006 - The Head of the Atomic Energy Agency has reported to the U.N. Security Council that Iran is defying the UN Security Council warning a month ago to stop the enrichment of uranium. Iran has not halted its program and has not given information on key issues.

Washington is trying to rally support from the Security Council for tougher action, including sanctions, a course so far rejected by Russia and China.

Source: BBC

Iran buys surface-to-surface missiles capable of hitting Europe

Apr. 27, 2006 - Iran has purchased BM-25 missiles from North Korea. The missiles, made by Russia, have a range of 2,500 kilometers, able to deliver warheads to Europe and much of the Middle East.

The BM-25 was originally manufactured in the Soviet Union, where the first generation, adapted for use by Soviet submarines and able to carry a nuclear warhead, was known as the SSN6. After the Russians retired the missiles from service, they sold them to the North Koreans, who developed them to carry a heavier payload.

Source: Ha'Aretz (Story no longer online)

Russia defies US on nuke construction

Apr. 20, 2006 - The United States has asked Russia to end its cooperation with Iran in constructing the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said that Russia would not honor the U.S. request. He said:

"The adoption of a commitment on ending cooperation with this or that state in some sphere lies exclusively in the competence of the UN Security Council... Up to now, the Security Council has taken no decision on ending cooperation with Iran in nuclear energy."

Source:Jerusalem Post

Russia Still Opposed to Sanctions on Iran

Apr. 18, 2006 - While Iran held a parade to commemorate their "Army Day," and their President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran will "cut the hand of any aggressor" that threatens it, representatives from six countries met in Moscow to discuss the next steps in the crisis caused by Iran's nuclear developments. Russia remains opposed to sanctions against Iran by the United Nations.

The United States and Britain say that if Iran does not comply with the U.N. Security Council's April 28 deadline to stop uranium enrichment, they will seek a resolution that would make the demand compulsory.

Source:NewsMax

Iran's Ahmadinejad: Israel Will Be 'Eliminated'

Apr. 14, 2006 - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking at a conference in support of the Palestinians, said that the Middle East will "soon" be liberated.

"Like it or not, the Zionist regime is heading toward annihilation... The Zionist regime is a rotten, dried tree that will be eliminated by one storm."

Source: NewsMax

Security experts: Iran to be bombed in 2007

Apr. 13, 2006 - An article in Israel's leading newspaper quoted senior U.S. and Israeli specialists saying that, if Iran continues to develop its nuclear weapons, an attack by the United States and other countries will be inevitable, and will take place in 2007.

The experts said the right timing of the military operation will be after Iran reaches advanced stages in operating the nuclear reactor for uranium enrichment and before the end of President George W. Bush’s term

They still held out hope that pressure from the United Nations Security Council could halt Iran's progress before it reaches the critical point.

Source: YNet News

Iran Vows Large-Scale Uranium Enrichment

Apr. 12, 2006 - Iran announced it has produced enriched uranium on a small scale, and will move toward industrial scale production as soon as possible, in spite of the demand by the U.N. Security Council concerns.

The U.N. Security Council has demanded that Iran stop all enrichment activity because of suspicions the program's aim is to make nuclear weapons.

Source: Fox

Iran 1 step from atomic bomb - WorldNetDaily

Observers have been surprised at the speed of Iran's nuclear progress. Last February National Intelligence Director John Negroponte told Congress that it could take Iran as much as a decade to produce nuclear weapons. However, the enrichment of uranium is their third major development this year on the way to producing an atomic bomb, leaving only one more step. Jerry Corsi, who wrote the book Nuclear Iran, says that metalizing the enriched uranium to fit it into a warhead – could come as soon as four months from now.

U.S. Mulls Program To Destroy Libyan Chemical Weapons

Apr. 4, 2006 - A Pentagon team that visited Libya in January, has determined that it would cost $100 million to safely destroy their arsenal of chemical weapons.

Officials said most of the Libyan CW was stored in an unidentified desert location. They refused to be specific to avoid tipping off Al Qaida-aligned insurgency groups that operate in North Africa.

Source: Middle East Newsline

Iran Tests Stealth Missile

Mar. 31, 2006 - Iran conducted a successful test of a new missile that can avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously. The country already has the Shahab-3 missile, which is able to deliver a nuclear warhead 1,250 miles, far enough to reach Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East.

Source: Fox

U.N. Gives Iran 30 Days to Comply on Nuclear Program

Mar. 30, 2006 - Yesterday the U.N. Security Council instructed the International Atomic Energy Agency, to report back in 30 days on Iran's compliance with demands to stop enriching uranium. The statement is not legally binding, but it a first step toward compelling Iran to prove that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Source: NewsMax

Defiant Iran Rejects New U.N. Demands - NewsMax

'We're on the eve of World War III

Mar. 28, 2006 - Ex-Mossad chief, Meir Amit, believes Western Nations are in a massive conflict with the Islamic world, which is bent on imposing its ideology on them.

Amit, one of the most esteemed figures in the international defense establishment, warned Islamic nations and global Islamist groups will continue launching "all kinds of attacks" against Western states. He urged the international community to immediately unite and coordinate a strategy to fight against the "Islamic war."

Amit urges Western nations to unite in their efforts to stop terrorism. He considers Iran the greatest threat, and complains that Russia and China are supporting that nation in its nuclear ambitions.

Source: WorldNetDaily

'US could wipe out Iran nukes in 2 days'

Mar. 21, 2006 - Gary Berntsen, a former senior CIA operative, says that it would only take the U.S. two days to destroy Iran's nuclear program using air strikes with bunker-buster bombs.

"This is a huge system of facilities they have. This is not going to be a small sort of engagement. We are probably going to have to destroy 30 facilities in 30 locations. Or at least 15," he said.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Bush warns Iran on Israel - Breitbart.com

Bush: Iran poses biggest challenge

Mar. 16, 2006 - In a national security report, President Bush said that the U.S. will continue to pursue diplomacy as far as possible to halt the nuclear weapons. Iran is the country of greatest concern at this time. If diplomacy fails, he says the U.S. could employ preemptive strikes against them.

"If necessary, however, under long-standing principles of self defense, we do not rule out the use of force before attacks occur -- even if uncertainty remains as to the time and place of the enemy's attack," Bush wrote.

Source: CNN (Story no longer online)

Israel will have to act on Iran if UN can't

Mar. 8, 2006 - Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz was asked what Israel will do if the U.N. Security Concil cannot stop the Iran's apparent covert nuclear weapons program. He said Israel hopes the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be given sweeping inspection powers so that it expose any secret nuclear arms-related activities in Iran. If Iran fails to cooperate, the U.N. should impose economic and other sanctions. If the U.N. cannot stop the threat, Mofaz said, "The state of Israel has the right give all the security that is needed to the people in Israel. We have to defend ourselves."

Source: ABC (Story no longer online

U.S., Russia divided as Iran nuclear fears rise
Tehran warns of 'harm and pain' to U.S. if it pursues sanctions

Mar. 8, 2006 - Russia’s foreign minister says that Moscow would oppose sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. This may pit Russia against the United States, France and Britain, nations that take a tough line on Iran's nuclear program. For their part, Iran threatens the U.S. with retaliation if the Security Council rules against them.

“The United States may have the power to cause harm and pain but it is also susceptible to harm and pain. So if the United States wishes to choose that path, let the ball roll.”

Source:MSNBC

Moscow Telegraphs New Cold War - Jack Kinsella

Iran Makes Threats to U.N. Security Council

MAR. 6 - Iran threatens to start full-scale uranium enrichment if the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency asks the U.N. Security Council to take action against their country. John Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said there will be "tangible and painful consequences" if Iran continues to persue its "clear and unrelenting drive" for nuclear weapons.

Source: Fox

Russia's covetous courtship

Mar 2 - Russia is going out of its way to build ties with Iran and the Hamas faction of the Palestinians.

Source: Washington Times (Story no longer online)

Mofaz says Israel prepared to defend itself against Iranian attack

Feb. 28 - 2006 - Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz says the agreement between Russia and Iran for uranium enrichment is just a cover for Iran's intention to finish development of nuclear weapons. He claims that Israel is preparing for possible conflict.

"As for the possibility of an Israeli attack (on Iran), I think it is not at all right to address this question publicly, but it can be said that Israel has the right and the obligation to do all that is necessary to defend itself," Mofaz told students at a Tel Aviv-area high school.

Source:Israel Insider

US Planning 'Last Resort' Bombing on Iran's Nukes, Report Says

Feb. 13, 2006 - A possibly intentional leak from the Defense Department may be meant to warn Iran that the U.S. is ready and willing to stop their nuclear development in spite of our problems in the Iraq mission. The news is that diplomatic methods will continue, but if they are exhausted, the U.S. could bomb Iran's nuclear development facilities.

Source:Patrick Goodenough, Crosswalk

Sunday Telegraph Claims US Drawing Up Plans For Iran Attack - Space War

Report: Attack on Iran would kill thousands, start war - Jerusalem Post

Will Israel Strike Iran?

Feb 13 Issue - Newsweek - Israeli intelligence has the information they need to stop Iran's nuclear development, but an unnamed senior Israeli military source indicates that if they are forced to take action they will limit their strikes to a few weak links in the process. This means that their attack would only delay the development of nuclear weapons for a few years. There are formidable challenges for Israel. They will have to penetrate underground bunkers, and their planes will have difficulty evading attack by Iran's MIG-29 interceptors after the strike.

Source: Newsweek (Story no longer online)

Iran Ends Cooperation With U.N., Continues Talks With Moscow - Fox

Iran Promises Retaliation for Referral to U.N. Security Council

Feb. 4, 2005 - The International Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution expressing "serious concerns about Iran's nuclear program." The resolution is a formal report to the United Nations Security Council that Iran's nuclear enrichment program may not be "exclusively for peaceful purposes." Sometime, presumably after March, the Security Council could impose economic and political sanctions against Iran.

The IAEA has representatives from 35 nations.

Twenty-seven nations supported the resolution, which was sponsored by three European powers — Britain, France and Germany — and backed by the United States... Russia and China, agreed to referral only on condition the council take no action before March.

Iran says it will retaliate immediately by ending an agreement with the IAEA to allow its inspectors broad powers to monitor and probe Tehran's nuclear activities. They will also start work on full-scale uranium enrichment.

Source: Fox

'Critical phase' in Iran standoff

Feb. 2, 2006 - The International Atomic Energy Agency's Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei will present a report on Iran's nuclear program to the board in March. That board is keenly aware of Iran's activities, and is debating whether to take the issue to the Security Council now. Iran has threatened to start enriching uranium if they do so.

Source: CNN

Russia, Syria Mull Defense Project

Feb. 1, 2006 - Russia is increasing military cooperation with Syria. A high-level Russian military delegation has been visiting Syrian military bases to work out closer strategic ties with the regime of President Bashar Assad.

Over the last year, Russia has signed an agreement to provide the SA-18 anti-aircraft system to the Syrian Army. The deal, estimated at $20 million, called for the SA-18, or Strella-S, to be mounted on 4x4 trucks. The SA-18 has been usually sold as a man-portable system.

Source:Middle East Newsline

Big Five Powers decide to refer Iran nuclear issue to UN Security Council
Iran warns West over nuclear row

Jan 31, 2005 - Meeting in London, representatives of US, UK, Russia, China, France and Germany agreed to refer the problem of Iran's continued development of nuclear capabilities to the United Nations Security Council for their consideration. Chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani objected to their decision.

Iranian state television quoted Mr Larijani as saying: "Informing the Security Council or referring the Iranian case to it will bring an end to diplomacy and that is not at all positive."

Source: BBC

Why the West will attack Iran

Jan. 24, 2006 - This editorial by Spengler of the Asia Times gives reasons why Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who may be mad, will pursue the development of nuclear weapons at any cost. Iran's oil reserves will run out in about 20 years, and their economy will collapse unless they can conquer other nearby oil-rich nations.

Israel can not tolerate the threat of a nuclear Iran. Other Islamic countries are afraid of Iran. Western nations that were unsupportive of the Iraq war have already agreed to band together to stop Iran's nuclear development. Even French President Jacques Chirac warned last week that France could use nuclear weapons against terrorist states if necessary. Spengler says:

Washington will initiate military action against Iran only with extreme reluctance, but it will do so nonetheless, except in the extremely unlikely event that Ahmedinejad were to stand down.

Source: Asia Times

John McCain: Iran Crisis Most Serious Since Cold War

Jan. 23, 2006 - Arizona Senator John McCain says that the Iranian quest for nuclear weapons is a world foreign policy crisis. He agrees that President Bush is right to press for sanctions against Iran before the United Nation's Security Council. He thinks that Israel will be forced to take some action against Iran in self defense.

Citing recent statements from Israeli defense officials, McCain said, "Put yourself in the position of the Israeli government. Your first obligation is to defend your people. And here's a country whose president calls for the eradication of your country from the map."

Source:NewsMax

Israel's new confidence in attack on Iran nukes

Jan. 13, 2006 - Israeli military forces are prepared, if necessary to attack Iran's nuclear weapons facilities.

[Iranian President] Ahmadinejad has called for Israel to be wiped off the face of the earth and suggested that the Jewish state be moved to Europe. He also denied the Holocaust ever happened.

Israel does not expect the U.N. to solve the nuclear threat from Iran.

Source: WorldNetDaily

Iran defiant over nuclear warning

Jan. 13, 2006 - Reacting to the European leaders call for UN involvement in Iran's nuclear program, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said they would not concede "one iota" on the matter

Source: BBC

Iran breaks seals at nuclear site

Jan. 10, 2006 - Iran has removed seals on its nuclear research facility, ending a two-year halt to their program, and inviting the ire of the U.s., the U.N. and many major nations.

Gregory Schulte, the US ambassador to the IAEA, said it showed Iran's "disdain for international concerns and its rejection of international diplomacy".

Source:BBC

U.S., Other Nations Rebuke Iran Over Seals - Washington Post (Story no longer online)

Iran leader: Islam to 'rule the world'

Jan. 10,. 2006 - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said, "We don't shy away from declaring that Islam is ready to rule the world." He also teaches that the return of the Shiite messiah, the Mahdi, is not far away.

According to Shiites, the 12th imam disappeared as a child in the year 941. When he returns, they believe, he will reign on earth for seven years, before bringing about a final judgment and the end of the world.

Source: WorldNetDaily

"Our mission is paving the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi (May God Hasten His Reappearance)." He added, "In order to reach that goal, Iran should turn into a mighty, advanced, and model Islamic society." - President Ahmadinejad's website - Nov. 17, 2005

Iran leader's messianic end-times mission

Jan. 6, 2006 - An often overlooked and terrifying aspect of the rule of Iran's new President Mahmoud's Ahmadinejad is the fact that he believes he is to assist in the return of a Shiite Islamic messiah figure – the Mahdi. This could cause him to use the nuclear weapons he is trying to develop at this time.

Source:WorldNetDaily

See older Articles: before Jan. 1, 2005