More On Iran

Israel is preparing to defend against Iran:

'Remember what happened to our previous enemies'

"Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz fired off a warning to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Saturday night saying that Israel would not accept a nuclear Iran under any circumstance and is preparing for the possibility that diplomacy to stop Tehran's nuclear aspirations would fail."

Softer Iran draft needed to win over Russia

BERLIN, Jan 21 (Reuters) - "Russia is unlikely to support a draft resolution that refers Iran to the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear programme unless it is softened, a European diplomat said on Saturday."

Assad: Israel assassinated Arafat

"Syrian president charges Israel was behind former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's death, says world failed to intervene. Assad makes statement in wake of talks with Iran's president in which Syria voiced support in Iran's right to obtain nuclear capabilities."

Missing from the accusation is evidence. And sanity.


Iran funded, Syria planned terror attack:

"Defense officials have gathered solid evidence in the hours following Thursday's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv to show the attack was a direct result of cooperation between Iran, Syria, and Palestinian terrorists."

Israel is to present the damning information to Americans, Europeans, and Egypt.

"The attack was funded by Iran, planned by Syria, and executed by the Palestinians," Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz charged during a meeting with top security officials in Tel Aviv following the bombing."

Opp group says Iran moving towards uranium enrichment

* Accuses Tehran of smuggling centrifuges from China and Dubai
* Group urges UNSC to impose sanctions against the country

BRUSSELS: "An exiled Iranian opposition group said on Tuesday it had information that Iran would soon start its nuclear uranium enrichment programme and called for further UN inspections into allegations that Tehran was smuggling material from China.

Ali Safavi, from the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran, said Tehran was building the first phase of 5,000 centrifuges to extract bomb-grade uranium.

“The first phase involves the manufacture of 5,000 machines. Some two-thirds have been manufactured, tested and ready to be installed,” Safavi told reporters. He did not indicate the source of his information."

Yeah, evidence (even a small amount if protecting a source) would be most helpful.

I also accidentally stumbled upon an older article (I missed during the rush of the holiday) while researching current events on Iran today. So here that is, for your amusement (or disgust, whatever).

Back in December Senate Democrats Softened Iran Resolution

December 23, 2005

WASHINGTON - "A Senate resolution condemning the president of Iran for anti-Semitic comments he made earlier this month is riling its Republican sponsors on Capitol Hill. They claim Senate Democrats forced them to strip language from the document expressing support for self-determination and a national referendum in the country.

Senator Santorum, a Republican of Pennsylvania, drafted the resolution after a December 14 speech in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the Holocaust a "myth" and suggested Israel be relocated to Europe, Canada, or Alaska. In its original form, the statement condemned the remarks, demanded an apology, and supported efforts by "the people of Iran to exercise self-determination" and hold a national referendum with oversight by international observers.

When Mr. Santorum moved to introduce the resolution last Friday, Senator Wyden, a Democrat of Oregon, registered an unusual objection. According to the Congressional Record, Mr. Wyden told Mr. Santorum on the Senate floor that he was objecting to the resolution because his Democratic colleagues in the Senate had asked him too. Mr. Wyden did not say who asked him to issue the objection.

"While I personally am vehemently opposed to the statements that have been made by the president of Iran," Mr. Wyden said, "I have been asked by the members on this side of the aisle to object, and I do so object."

See also-

"Senator Clinton, a Democrat of New York, last week criticized the Secretary of State Rice, for not issuing a formal response."

"Ms. Rice denounced Mr. Ahmadinejad's comments in a radio interview on the "Sean Hannity Show" the day they were made."