See newer Articles: Since Jan. 1, 2008

US report: Israel would weather nuclear war with Iran

Dec. 24, 2007 - The US Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has released a study that predicts that "Israel’s residents and economy could weather nuclear war with Iran."

The nightmare scenario of an all-out war between Israel and Iran could take place between 2010 and 2020, when Iran could have 30 nuclear warheads. But Israel has more than 200 nuclear bombs and better delivery systems. Such a war could lead to the death of between 16- 28 million Iranian civilians, and 200-800 thousand Israelis.

Source: YNet News

'Israel will attack Iran on its own'

Dec. 21, 2007 - According to Bruce Riedel, a former CIA official and senior adviser to three US presidents, Israel will attack Iranian nuclear sites even if the U.S. does not join in the effort. Interviewed for an article in Newsweek magazine, Riedel said that the Israeli attack on a Syrian nuclear site was a test run of their capabilities and a warning to Iran.

Riedel told the magazine his impression that Israel would venture a strike on Iran on its own was formed before the publication of the joint US intelligence agencies' report, the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE).

Source: Jerusalem Post

What Will Israel Do? - Michael Hirsch - Newsweek

Israel says it opposes Russian plans for Moscow peace summit

Dec. 20, 2007 - Israeli authorities voiced opposition to a follow-up peace conference in Moscow in the next few months.

In explaining their reservations, government officials in Jerusalem cite the need to focus on bilateral talks with the Palestinians "and not be dragged onto a slippery slope of opening negotiations on other issues like Syria and Lebanon during the present time."

Source:Ha'Aretz

Russia Makes First Nuclear Fuel Shipment to Iranian Plant

Dec. 17, 2007 - Russia has sent its first shipment of nuclear fuel to Iran. It will be used in the nuclear power plant that is being constructed by Russia.

Iran contends its plant in the southern city of Bushehr is strictly for civilian purposes, but the project concerns the United States and others who fear Tehran could use it to advance efforts to build nuclear weapons.

Source:Fox

Putin's Plan To Retain Power

Dec. 12, 2007 - President Pick Would Name Putin Premier

Russian President Vladimir V. Putin's term ends next spring, but he is pushing for the election of Dmitri A Medvedev as President. Medvedev, in turn, announced that he wants Putin to be his Prime Minister.

As prime minister, Mr. Putin could very well overshadow Mr. Medvedev, turning him into the kind of figurehead president found in parliamentary systems like Germany’s or Italy’s.

Source: N.Y. Times

Next Piece in Putin's Puzzle Revealed as He Names Favored Successor - Crosswalk

Gadhafi rewarded with arms deal

Dec. 12, 2007 - French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi because of his "improved behavior" after renouncing terrorism and dismantling his nuclear weapons program in 2003. While in France, Gadhafi signed contracts for $14.7 billion in armaments and a nuclear reactor.

Source: Washington Times

Israel: Forget U.S. intel, Iran nukes at full speed

Dec. 10, 2007 - Official cites 'incriminating information, 'rips American report as 'politically charged'

Source:WorldNetDaily

Report: Iranian opposition group says Tehran did not halt nuke program - Ha'Aretz

Russia boosts weaponry output by almost 25% in 2007

Dec. 10, 2007 - According to Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, production of military equipment increased by 23.1% in 2007.

"We will continue increasing production in the defense sector, as we have sufficient funds to do so," Ivanov said, adding that Russia had allocated $189 billion for the 2007-2010 armaments program.

Source: Russian News and Information Agency

World Reaction To Intelligence Report:

Dec. 5, 2007 -

Bush: Report on Iran a 'warning signal' - Jerusalem Post

Bush said Tuesday that despite the new assessment, "my opinion hasn't changed," and when asked if the military option was now off the table, replied: "The best diplomacy, effective diplomacy, is one of which all options are on the table."

Israel launches diplomatic offensive to counter US report - YNet News

Defense Minister Barak says Israeli intelligence counters US assessment.

Iran - Nuclear Report a Victory - BBC

Iranian President Ahmadinejad called the report a "final blow"... "If you want to start up a new game, the Iranian people will resist and will not step back one inch."

Iran welcomes US nuclear report

Dec. 4, 2007 - A new US intelligence report says Iran stopped its nuclear weapons development in 2003. But even if that is true, they are still defying Security Council demands to suspend uranium enrichment, and is still under UN Security Council and US sanctions.

The report will not remove suspicion about Iran's intentions, but it will likely postpone any preemptory military strike. US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley warned against letting down our guard.

[He]said the report's findings confirmed the US was "right to be worried" about Iran's nuclear ambitions and that President George W Bush had "the right strategy".

Source: BBC

Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities - National Intelligence Estimate - Note: The report still says it is possible but not likely that Iran could produce nuclear weapons by late 2009.

US and Israel 'face up to' Iran bomb

Nov. 19, ,2007 - Israel and the U.S. are both committed to stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons, but they are beginning to face the possibility that military action might not be sufficient to destroy their facilities. Therefore, long range planning now includes establishing "nuclear deterrence" [Similar to the Mutual Assured Destruction policy of the Cold War]. It is believed that Israel is developing a fleet of submarines with atomic weapons, and looking into the development of a sophisticated ballistic anti-missile system.

Source: Telegraph - U.K.

Israel preparing for nuclear Teheran

Nov. 16, 2007 - A source close to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says that Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran would actually succeed in having nuclear weapons. Official have denied the report.

Source: Jerusalem Post

IAEA: Iran cooperative on some aspects of nuclear program - Jerusalem Post

Israel: IAEA's report 'unacceptable' - Jerusalem Post

'Mideast atomic programs apocalyptic'

Nov. 9, 2007 - While Iran is boasting about operating 3,000 centrifuges to further its nuclear program, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have also signaled their intentions to begin or revive nuclear production in their own countries. Because of this, Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman said:

"If Egypt and Saudi Arabia begin nuclear programs, this can bring an apocalyptic scenario upon us," Lieberman told the Post. "Their intentions should be taken seriously..."

He added that Pakistan is a serious threat because of their instability and their well-known nuclear capabilities. And he said that Mohamed ElBaradei, the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency chief, is helping Iran stall for time instead of supporting sanctions from the West.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Israel calls for sacking of IAEA's ElBaradei - The Telegraph - UK

US fears Israeli strike against Iran over latest nuclear claim

Nov. 8, 2007 - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad now claims that Iran has 3,000 working uranium-enriching centrifuges. It is known that 3,000 machines are capable to make enough enriched uranium for an atomic bomb within a year. U.S. military sources have already said that Israel might conduct an air strike when Iran reaches that number of working centrifuges.

The Pentagon is reluctant to take military action against Iran, but officials say that Israel is a “different matter”. Amid the international uproar, British MPs who were to have toured the nuclear facility were backing out of their Iran trip.

Source: Times - UK

'US afraid of an Israeli strike in Iran' - Jerusalem Post

MOP [Bunker Busters] development heightens concern of strikes on Iranian targets - Jane's Defense News

Zogby: Majority Favor Strikes on Iran

Oct. 30, 2007 - In a recent Zogby telephone poll, 52 percent said they would support a U.S. military strike against Iran to stop their nuclear weapons program. Most of them also thought that it is likely that the U.S. will launch a military strike against Iran before the next presidential election.

According to reports from the Associated Press, earlier this month Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accused Iran of "lying" about the aim of its nuclear program and Vice President Dick Cheney has raised the prospect of "serious consequences" if the U.S. were to discover Iran was attempting to devolop a nuclear weapon.

Source: NewsMax

Secret move to upgrade air base for Iran attack plans

Oct. 30 - Military sources claim that the U.S. is preparing for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. Special stealth bomber hangars on the British island protectorate of Diego Garcia are being upgraded to allow the planes to carry larger bombs.

That would allow them to carry experimental 15-ton Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs designed to smash underground bunkers buried as much as 200ft beneath the surface through reinforced concrete.

Source: The Herald - UK

Iran threatens 'decisive strike' if US attacks

Oct. 26, 2007 - After the U.S. imposed stiff sanctions against Iran and its "Revolutionary Guards,"the head of the Revolutionary Guards said,

"The enemy knows it cannot make any mistake, so these words are just exaggeration. We will reply to any strike with an even more decisive strike."

Meanwhile, Russia and China only want dialogue instead of sanctions against Iran. This frustrates President Bush and the majority of U.N. delegates.

Source: Telegraph- UK

Cheney: U.S. Will Not Let Iran Go Nuclear

Oct. 21, 2007 - Speaking at the Washington Institute for Near East Studies, Vice President Dick Cheney bluntly said, "We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon." He did not mention military action, but said the U.S. and other nations are "prepared to impose serious consequences" if Iran continues to develop the technology for producing nuclear weapons.

Source: NewsMax

Israel Warns World War III May be Biblical War of Gog and Magog

Oct. 18 -

US President Bush said Wednesday during a press conference that Iran attaining nuclear weapons raises the risk of "World War III."

Commenting on this statement, two Israeli television stations showed world maps with an allignment of nations against Israel that reminded many viewers of the Biblical prophecy of the War of Gog and Magog [Ezekiel 38 and 39].

Source: Arutz Sheva - Israel National News

Bush: Threat of World War III if Iran goes nuclear - Reuters

Prime Minister Heads for Surprise Talks with Putin - Arutz Sheva - Israel National News

Putin, in Iran, Sends Warnings to US

Oct. 16, 2007 - At a summit of Caspian Sea nations, Russian leader Vladimir Putin implied that the U.S. should not to use Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic, as a staging ground for any possible military action against Iran.

"We are saying that no Caspian nation should offer its territory to third powers for use of force or military aggression against any Caspian state," Putin said.

The five states bordering the Caspian Sea - Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan - agreed to never allow their territory to be used for an attack on one another.

Putin trip to Iran is the first by a Kremlin leader since World War II.

Source: Associated Press (Story no longer on line.)

Putin in Iran for landmark visit - BBC

Uneasy allies in historic summit - BBC

Ahmadinejad faces student protest

Oct. 9, 2007 - Student demonstrators in Iran chanted "death to dictator" while President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered a speech at Tehran University. Surprisingly, they were not arrested.

Students were once the main power base of Iran's reform movement but have faced intense pressure in recent years from Ahmadinejad's hard-line government, making anti-government protests rare.

Source: Breitbart

'Let Jews move to Europe or Alaska'

Oct. 6, 2007 - While millions of Iranians attended "Al-Quds Day" (Jerusalem Day) to protest Israel's continued control of Jerusalem, their president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel's continued existence was an "insult to human dignity." He also said that if Europeans committed crimes against Jews in World War II they should give a part of their own land in Europe or Alaska so that the Jews can establish their country.

In the capital Teheran, hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets as they chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." Some protesters also burned American and Israeli flags.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Iran threatens to attack 170 US targets

Oct. 1, 2007 - A high-ranking officer from Iran's Revolutionary Guards that they have identified hundreds of strategic American targets in the Middle East and around the world, and will strike them if Iran is attacked by Israel or the US.

On Sunday former US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton told Tory delegates in Britain that efforts by the UK and the EU to negotiate with Iran had failed and that he saw no alternative to a pre-emptive strike on suspected nuclear facilities in the country.

Source: Jerusalem Post

'USAF preparing Arab allies for Iran' - Jerusalem Post

Russians leave Iran's nuclear reactor - Viva Le Canada

Iranian General: We Have Plans to Bomb Israel if They Attack Us

Oct. 1, 2007 - Iranian Gen. Mohammad Alavi told The Fars news agency that they have military plans to strike back at Israel with their bombers if Israel should attack them.

Iran has threatened in the past that Israel would be Iran's first retaliatory target if attacked by the United States. But Alavi's comments were the first word of specific contingency plans for striking back on Israel.

Source: Fox (Story no longer on line.)

Attack on Iran Said To Be Imminent

Sept. 28, 2007 - Yesterday a French weekly publication, Le Canard Enchaîné, announced on its front page headline, "Putin tells Tehran: They're going to bomb you!"

According to the article from unnamed sources, the attack against Iran would begin on October 15, the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in order to reduce casualties.

Israel would bomb the first targets while America would orchestrate a second wave of strikes, the report said.

Source: New York Sun

Iran leader defiant in UN speech

Sept. 26, 2007 - In his speech to the UN, Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed that UN Security Council sanctions against his country were illegal. He also said that debate about their nuclear program was closed.

He denounced the "arrogant" and "bullying" permanent members of the UN's Security Council, which has imposed sanctions on Iran over its uranium enrichment programme.

In another UN speech, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that if Iran develops nuclear weapons it would be a threat to the world.

Source: BBC

Ahmadinejad At Columbia

Sept. 24, 2007 - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at Columbia University today. There was much controversy about whether or not he should have been allowed that privilege.

Columbia President Lee Bollinger opened the program with a blistering introduction in which he lambasted Ahmadinejad for calling for the annihilation of Israel, denying the Holocaust and supporting the execution of children.

Bollinger also said that Ahmadinejad resembled "a petty and cruel dictator."

When Ahmadinejad spoke he complained that Bollinger's speech was an insult, and full of incorrect claims. His remarks did not address the accusations directly. His speech was full of religious discussions and quotations from the Koran. He criticized the U.S. for past actions, including the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He wondered why the United States was allowed to develop nuclear weapons but his country was not.

During the question phase, the Iranian president would not give a clear answer to the question of whether or not he wanted to destroy Israel.

Source: Fox

Ahmadinejad's Day One in New York: A Hostile Reception, a Rambling Talk - The Washington Post

Transcript of Columbia President Bollinger's speech and Iranian President Ahmadinejad's speech - Azstarnet

Transcript of Iranian President Ahmadinejad's speech - The Washington Post

Ahmadinejad questions 9/11, Holocaust - Yahoo

Ahmadinejad Arrives for New York Visit Amid Protests

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is now in New York where he will address the UN. He faces protests and tabloid headlines calling him ''evil'' and a ''madman.''

He has also invited to address students at Columbia University. Protestors have gathered near the campus to express their displeasure with Columbia for giving him this opportunity to speak.

Columbia President Lee Bollinger has promised to grill Ahmadinejad on subjects such as human rights, the Holocaust and Iran's disputed nuclear program. The Iranian leader previously has called the Holocaust ''a myth'' and called for Israel to be ''wiped off the map.''

Source:NewsMax

Transcript of Columbia President Bollinger's speech and Iranian President Ahmadinejad's speech - Azstarnet

Transcript of Iranian President Ahmadinejad's speech - The Washington Post

Iran's Ahmadinejad talks tough in advance of U.S. visit

Sept. 23, 2007 - During a military parade featuring missiles that are able to strike Israel from Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, "Iran has drawn up plans to confront enemies in the face of any possible attack" He also demanded that foreign forces leave the region and urged the United States to acknowledge that it has failed in Iraq.

Source: International Herald Tribune

Ahmadinejad: The Return of Mahdi is Imminent

Sept. 19, 2007 - Iran's President Ahmadinejad recently restated his belief that the Mahdi, or Hidden Imam, will be returning soon. He urged the nations of the world to rebel against "the oppressive imperialist powers" in preparation for the event. He made these comments at the International Seminar on the Doctrine of Mahdism, held in Tehran August 25-26, 2007.

Less than a month ago Ahmadinejad said that Iran has a pivotal role in preparing for the return of the Hidden Imam.

We must rapidly develop Iran in order to create the [right] conditions for his coming, and we must also help the rest of the world's nations [to prepare for his return], in order to precipitate this great event..."

Source:Worthy News

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Invited to Speak at Columbia University - Fox (Sept. 22, 2

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Says Sanctions Will Not Stop Nuclear Progress - Fox (Sept. 22, 2007)

Iranian: Retaliation if Israel attacks

Sept. 19, 2007 - Following Israel's sucessful strike against Syria's suspected nuclear weapons cache, Iran fears the same sort of attack against their country. Iran's deputy commander of Iran's air force said plans have been drawn up to bomb Israel if that country attacks them.

"We have drawn up a plan to strike back at Israel with our bombers if this regime (Israel) makes a silly mistake," deputy air force chief, Gen. Mohammad Alavi was quoted as telling Fars in an interview.

Source:Yahoo

Israeli Attack on Syria Could Presage Strike on Iran - NewsMax

Israel Attack Has Iran in Panic Mode - NewsMax

Israel Gave U.S. Advance Notice of Raid - Newsmax

Russia 'worried' by Iran war risk

Sept. 18, 2007 - After talking with the French Foreign Minister, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said he was alarmed over the threat of war in Iran. He appealed to extensive efforts to negotiate with Iran. But he said, "We have to prepare for the worst, and the worst is war."

Russia has a UN Security Council veto over any new sanctions, and its support is seen as vital for any new approach to force Iran to end enrichment.

Source: BBC

Fox News: U.S. may attack Iran within 8-10 months

Sept. 13, 2007 - Since Germany refuses to support any new UN sanctions against Iran, a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear development seems unlikely. Fox News reported a source in the Bush administration saying that military action against Iran may start within 8-10 months.

By that time, the names of the presidential contenders will be known but there will remain enough time till the elections scheduled for November 2008.

According to the source, the plan would call for severe bombings for one week, with a following blow on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Still, the attack would not destroy all of Iran's nuclear capabilities, and it would probably result in a counter-attack by Iran against Israel or U.S. bases.

Source:PanArmenian.net

French FM: World must prepare for possible war with Iran - Ha'Aretz

Gates: U.S. Pursuing Diplomacy with Iran - NewsMax

IAEA Chief Warns Against Striking Iran - NewsMax

Pentagon ‘three-day blitz’ plan for Iran

Sept. 3, 2007 - According to Alexis Debat, director of terrorism and national security at the Nixon Center, the Pentagon has plans for massive airstrikes against 1,200 targets in Iran if military action is required. The three-day blitz would be much greater than so-called “pinprick strikes” against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Debat said:

“Whether you go for pinprick strikes or all-out military action, the reaction from the Iranians will be the same.” It was, he added, a “very legitimate strategic calculus”.

Source: Times Online - UK

Iran Threatens Nuclear Holocaust, Bush Says

Aug. 29, 2007 - President Bush warned that U.S. failure to strengthen Iraq before we depart from it would make the world more dangerous. Iran is close to development of nuclear weapons, and is eager to fill the power void.

And he said that a precipitous U.S. departure from Iraq would lead Tehran to "conclude that we were weak," accelerate its alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons and touch off an atomic arms race in the already volatile Middle East.

Source: NewsMax

Iran Vows to Use Smart Bomb on Its Enemies

Aug. 27, 2007 - Iran's Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar told a television audience that Iran would use a new 2,000-pound ''smart'' bomb against its enemies. The new weapon can be delivered by their aging U.S. fighter jets. He said the bomb would now be mass produced.

Source: Newsmax

Analysis: Bush's Iranian headache

Aug. 23, 2007 - Read this interesting discussion of the delicate situation with Iran and why "containment" (a cold-war term) may be the best course for now.

Source: BBC

Russia steps up military expansion

Aug. 22, 2007 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said their country will restore its role as the world's leading producer of military aircraft.

Speaking at the opening of the largest airshow in Russia's post-Soviet history, the president said he was determined to make aircraft manufacture a national priority after decades of lagging behind the west.

Last week Putin surprised observers by resuming long-range bomber missions with aircraft that are capable of hitting the US with nuclear weapons.

Source: The Guardian - UK

Russia: US missile shield a 'big mistake'

Aug. 21, 2007 - Yuri Balyuevsky, the Russian military's chief of staff, told the Czech defence minister that it is unwise to allow the installation of a radar installation that is part of a US missile shield.

Source: Telegraph - UK

Iran Guards 'join US terror list'

Aug. 15, 2007 - U.S. officials say that Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards will be listed on the state department's list of foreign terrorist organizations. There are already 42 organizations on the list, including al-Qaeda, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. This will be the first time official armed units of a sovereign state are included in the list.

The move was intended to increase the pressure on Iran amid growing concern in Washington that Tehran is funding and supporting insurgents in Iraq and the Taleban in Afghanistan, as well as groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the officials said.

The Revolutionary Guards is said to have 125,000 active members. It has its own army, navy, airforce, and intelligence. It operates independently of Iran's main armed forces.

Source: BBC

Russian Navy to operate from Syria

Aug. 7, 2007 -

For the first time since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Russia plans to re-operate the Tartus and Latakia ports in Syria as permanent bases for the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean basin, according to recent western media reports.

Russian Navy commander, Admiral Vladimir Masorin said, "Being present in the Mediterranean is very important for our Navy in the Black Sea." During the past year Russia and Syria signed a large arms agreement, which included the use of its ports.

Source: YNet

Iran attack could be 2nd Holocaust, Gingrich warns

July 20,2007 - Newt Gingrich, Former House speaker warned that Iran could conceivably attack the U.S. with nuclear weapons. If they did, it could be worse for the U.S. than the Japanese attack in 1941. The result of an Iranian attack aginst Israel would be even worse.

Using one or more nuke against Israel could be "a second Holocaust" for the Jewish people, said Gingrich, who is considering running on the Republican ticket.

Source: YNet

Iran military solution

July 16, 2007 - Britain's Guardian newspaper has reported that the White House is now leaning in favor of military action against Iran before President Bush leaves office 18 months from now. The United States does not want Israel to attack Iran's nuclear facilities because Iran will blame the U.S. anyway

The report said that no decisive action was expected before next year, but quoted a Washington source as saying, "Bush is not going to leave office with Iran still in limbo."

Source: Jerusalem Post

'Time running out for Iran strike'

July 10, 2007 -

Israeli Brig.-Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser, former head of Military Intelligence's Research Division, told The Jerusalem Post on Monday that time to launch an effective military strike against Iran's nuclear installations was running out.

According to Kuperwasser, economic sanctions are not likely to stop Iran's nuclear development, and Iran doesn't really believe that either the United States or Israel will attack them. Nevertheless, they are working around the clock to improve their military capabilities.

Source: Jerusalem Post

See older Articles: before July 1, 2007