Iran’s state prosecutor warned the opposition to not host protests in solidarity with Egyptian protesters. The IRGC tested a new anti-ship ballistic missile. The EU may lift the travel ban on Iran’s foreign minister to encourage a new round of diplomatic talks.
Turkey announced that it would not take action against Turkish citizens accused of smuggling missile components into Iran. Iran’s ambassador to India complained that the US is blocking strong Iran-India cooperation. The Iranian opposition criticized the government three days ahead of the 32nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
The Afghan High Peace Council has requested the release of Khairullah Khairkhwa, a top Taliban official, from Guantanamo. Khairkhwa, who was detained in early 2002, was the governor of Herat province during the Taliban’s reign. He was also allegedly involved in drug trafficking, had ties to senior al Qaeda leaders, and admittedly set up security for meetings between the Taliban and Iran.
President Ahmadinejad announced the launch of several new satellites. Iran’s opposition leaders take inspiration from protests in Egypt. An Iranian court set a sentencing date for imprisoned Americans.
Chinese weapons fall into hands of militants: US cables
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov disapproved of new sanctions on Iran, saying they “will basically be aimed at suffocating the Iranian economy.” An Iranian official claimed gasoline production has exceeded national consumption.
Former Egyptian military chief says foreign Islamic militants are adding to unrest
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia as an “Islamic awakening.” A senior Iranian Army commander said the Egyptian Army should sever ties with President Mubarak. The trial of three Americans arrested on the Iraqi border will begin on Sunday.
Thirwat Salah Shehata, a top al Qaeda operative who has long served Ayman al Zawahiri, has released a statement in support of the Egyptian protesters. According to a Saudi publication, Shehata issued the statement from Iran.
Execution rate in Iran alarms UN human rights chief
Iran sees ‘Islamic awakening’ in Arab world uprisings
Egypt tells Iran: mind your own business
US intelligence on Arab unrest draws criticism
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei again linked political upheaval in North Africa to the Iranian Revolution. Tehran is building new storage capacity to hold petroleum reserves.
In 2009, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Malik accused both Iran and Syria of arming terror groups operating inside Iraq. Now AFP has the story, via the Wikileaks cables: Maliki’s comments to then-US ambassador to Baghdad Christopher Hill came in the midst of a year-long diplomatic row with Damascus that prompted both Iraq and Syria […]
Turmoil heartens US foes
WikiLeaks: UK Treasury ‘slow to act in blocking terrorist finance’
Israeli official sees cyber alternative to “ugly” war
A London-based think tank claimed Iran could have nuclear weapon in one or two years. Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki accused Iran of arming foreign fighters. India announced it will pay for Iranian oil in euros, using an intermediary bank.
Egypt revolt has Iran in a spin
WikiLeaks: tension in the Middle East and Asia has ‘direct potential’ to lead to nuclear war
US and EU authorities filed charges against multiple front companies of Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization. A dispute between India and Iran on oil sales continues. Iran and Afghanistan agreed to improve inter-border trading.
Afghan officials said that training camps for the Taliban and al Qaeda are located in the Iranian cities of Zahedan, Birjan, Maibod, and in the Shamsabad area near Tehran.
The Iranian parliament dismissed President Ahmadinejad’s transportation minister. The Iranian government and the opposition both support Egyptian protesters. Tehran criticized the British defense secretary’s prediction that Iran will have nuclear weapons in the next year.
The Muslim Brotherhood: the future of Egypt?
Iran could have nuclear weapon by 2012 – Britain
Report warns of Iran nuke disaster
Everywhere but Iraq?
Egypt protests: Cairo prison break prompts fear of fundamentalism
Syria strongman: Time for ‘reform’