UK Court: Iranian Exiles Not Terrorists

On May 7, Britain's Court of Appeal ruled that the Government had been wrong to include an Iranian opposition group on its list of terrorist organizations.In a 22-page document, the Court of Appeal ruled there were "no valid grounds" to contend that a British panel made legal errors when it ordered the removal of the People's Mujahedeen Organization of Iran (PMOI) from a list of more than 20 proscribed terrorist organizations under Britain's Terrorism Act.

The only conclusion that a reasonable decision maker could reach was that, since 2003, the PMOI has not taken any steps to acquire or seek to acquire further weapons or to restore any military capability in Iraq," the Court said."To the extent that the P.M.O.I. has retained networks and supporters inside Iran since 2002, they have been directed to social protest, finance and intelligence gathering activities which would not fall within the definition of 'terrorism' for the purposes of the 2000 Act." Read full story

A World Without Ahmadinejad?

In 2005, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad surprised most political analysts when he won the Iranian presidential race. Running on a populist platform, he vowed to combat poverty and corruption, to tackle unemployment and promised a fair redistribution of oil revenues."Ahmadinejad and his aides have pledged to deliver and improve the quality of life of the millions who voted them to office. With oil revenue at its highest in almost three decades … the nation hopes the economy will turn around without delay," wrote the Iran Daily in the aftermath of the election. But so far, Ahmadinejad has spent most of his time in office delivering inflammatory speeches about the United States and Israel. Even his voters and political allies have come to understand that his rhetoric has badly hurt Iran's national interests. Read full story

Iran Parliament Responds to Sanctions

On Wednesday, the Majlis (Iranian parliament) passed a bill in reaction to Resolution 1737, which bans Iran's import or export of dual-use items related to nuclear and missile technologies. The resolution also freezes the asset of 10 companies and 12 individuals and threatens Tehran with further non-military sanctions if Iran does not halt its nuclear enrichment program at once.

The bill was approved by an overwhelming majority, with 161 votes in favor, 15 against, and 15 abstaining. Minutes later, the bill was approved by the Guardian Council. The watchdog body has never approved a bill so quickly since its creation in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It will take effect 15 days after being signed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Read full story

Security Council Approves Iran Sanctions

The U.N. Security Council unanimously agreed to impose sanctions against Iran on Saturday. U.N. Resolution 1696 requested a full and sustained suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment activities. As a result of Iran failing to comply, the U.N. Security Council voted for Resolution 1737. Read full story

IAEA: U.S. Report on Iran 'Outrageous'

An official at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called an intelligence report put out by a U.S. congressional committee "outrageous and dishonest," filled with "erroneous, misleading and unsubstantiated statements."Vilmos Cserveny, IAEA director for External Relations and Policy Coordination, made his comments in a letter to U.S. House Representative Peter Hoekstra, who chaired the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence which on Aug. 23 issued the 29-page document assessing Iran nuclear activities: " "Recognizing Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge for the United States." Read full story

Engage or Enrage? That Is the Question

The Bush administration has dismissed the letter. "There would not be a written response to President Ahmadinejad," National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones told the AFP (Agence France Presse) news agency. "We've already given our response," he said, referring to the swift dismissal by U.S. officials."This letter is not the place where one would find an opening to engage on the nuclear issue or anything of the sort. It really was a kind of philosophical and indeed religious attack on U.S. policies. There was nothing in it that suggested a way out of the nuclear stalemate," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, described the letter as unworthy of any discussion. "The thing speaks for itself," he said.But the Bush administration is facing increasing pressure both in the United States and from overseas to engage in direct talks with Iran. Read full story

Does Ahmadinejad Have a Point?

This week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter [Full text here] to the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush. This letter is the first official exchange between the two countries since the Iranian revolution. The U.S. government has chosen not to reply to the message. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations described the letter as unworthy of any discussions. "The thing speaks for itself" John Bolton said.I have reproduced below the 10 key concerns expressed by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Is the man insane, as the Bush administration claims? Is the letter unworthy of discussions? Is the U.S. Government right to refuse a direct dialog with the Iranians? Speak out. Tell us what you think. Read full story