Iran’s judiciary has sentenced a Sufi leader to five years in prison, flogging and exile on charges of spreading lies, the moderate Kargozaran newspaper reported Nov. 15. The report identified the man as Amir Ali Mohammad Labaf, of the Nematollahis… Read moreIran condemns Sufi to prison, flogging, exile
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in a letter congratulating US president-elect Barack Obama, said his nation and the world expect “fundamental” changes to US policy, and “welcomed” the prospect for “justice, respect for human rights, friendship, and non-interference in other countries’… Read moreIran: Ahmadinejad “welcomes” Obama, appeals for “friendship”
In response to Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a military attack, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planing to build an inland canal to bring Persian Gulf oil to world markets. “Our oil… Read moreUAE plans Hormuz bypass canal in event of war
The International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI) has called for an international campaign on behalf of several labor activists in Iran who have been sentenced to public whipping, prison terms and even death—mostly for participating in a… Read moreIran: labor activists sentenced to lashes, prison, death
From AP, July 23: Republican John McCain on Wednesday credited the recent $10-a-barrel drop in the price of oil to President Bush’s lifting of a presidential ban on offshore drilling, an action he has been advocating in his presidential campaign…. Read moreOffshore designs or Iran diplomacy behind falling oil prices?
In the most significant sign of de-escalation we’ve yet seen, Iranian diplomats are to meet in Geneva this weekend to discuss the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program with representatives of six world powers—including US Undersecretary of State William Burns. The establishment… Read moreBenny Morris predicts nuclear war —again
Thousands of workers at the Iran Khodro Car Manufacturing Company are reported to be on strike. The protest began in the form of hunger strike on June 28, and expanded across the company, with thousands of workers joining protests and… Read moreAuto workers strike in Iran
A little-known Iranian Sunni militant group claimed responsibility June 18 for a mosque bombing that killed 14 and wounded 200 in Shiraz April 12. “This is the very first operation and the signal to the criminal regime of Iran…to stop… Read moreIran: Sunni militants claim Shiraz mosque attack
We’ve noted before Barack Obama’s alarming bellicose tendencies. They were out in profligate display at his notorious address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual conference in Washington June 4. Here’s the most ominous one from the Washington… Read moreBarack Obama: I’ll nuke Iran
An Iranian government spokesman confirmed that a group of Bahai religious leaders have been arrested—but said that the charges against them related to security and not religion. The spokesman, Gholam Hossein Elham, said the group had “acted against the country’s… Read moreIran: Bahai leaders arrested
After all the talk we've heard in recent years about how depressed oil prices are now permanent, in the wake of Trump's announced withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal Bank of America is predicting that the price of Brent crude could go as high as the once-dreaded $100 per barrel in 2019. The report also cited collapsing production in Venezuela due to the crisis there. Brent prices have risen above $77 per barrel since Trump's announcement. Prices have jumped more than 8% over the past month and 15% since the beginning of the year. According to the analysis, investors fear that renewed sanctions on Iran could lead to supply disruptions. Although the report failed to mention it, the Israeli air-strikes on Iranian targets in Syria have doubtless contributed to the jitters. (Photo: Shana)
Saudi Arabia‘s Shoura Council has discussed a national plan to deal with potential radioactive contamination in the Kingdom following warnings of possible attacks on Iran‘s nuclear reactors. “The plan to check radiation hazards was discussed by Shoura members, but it… Read moreSaudi Arabia prepares for nuclear contamination
