Russia says it delayed shipments of a missile air defense system to Iran, and won’t say when the shipment will happen. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov hinted the decision came over concerns that supplying Iran with the equipment would tamper with the regional power balance. He said Russia never takes actions that destabilize one region or another.
Brazil doesn’t seem too concerned about Iran. In fact, President Lula says he’s visiting Iran in May, and he plans to buy as much as he can while he’s there. Brazil holds a friendly relationship with the Islamic Republic, and supports Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s drive to go nuclear. Lula claims peace does not involve isolating others - in this case Iran.
The Sunday Times reports that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu authorized al-Mabhouh’s assassination, and wished agents good luck. The report also claims that the Mossad has temporarily suspended its operations in the Middle East following the exposure of several agents. The agency knew about the extensive security cameras in the hotel al-Mabhouh was staying in, but was surprised by the ability of Dubai police to piece together the footage.
Dubai police think someone within Hamas leaked information about the recently slain al-Mabhouh’s trip to the Emirate. The police chief suggested Hamas launch an investigation to get the bottom of the situation. Meanwhile, it is likely new revelations regarding al-Mabhouh’s killing will be exposed in the near future. Dubai police said they have damning information about the killers’ use of diplomatic passports to enter Dubai.
The Arab League is calling for the United Nations General Assembly to convene immediately to discuss the Goldstone Report. That call comes with demands for another resolution that would require U.N. Chief Ban Ki Moon to report on progress made in adopting Goldstone. Such a resolution could start the process of prosecuting Israel at the International Court of Justice. France, Britain and the United States opposed adopting the Goldstone Report due to reservations about the investigation’s findings.
Iran believes followers of Bahai pose a threat to the regime. A newspaper close to the Revolutionary Guard reports five practitioners of the faith are behind bars after a military round up. One of those arrested is the daughter of a prominent Bahai member jailed since 2008. Iran blames followers of the faith for disseminating pictures of riots following the countrys recent elections to news outlets abroad.
Muslim students created a raucous scene at a speech in Los Angeles by Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren. He was a guest speaker at the Irvine campus of the University of California when about 100 Muslim students began shouting ‘murderer’. Police escorted the students out of the room, and university leaders shared their embarrassment over the issue. Oren said this is not Tehran as evidenced by free speech. Irvine is home to one of the largest Persian-Muslim communities in the U-S.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made a plea to foreign leaders on Iran, demanding paralyzing sanctions be put in place now. He met with foreign ambassadors in Israel to point out the connection between Iran’s statements calling for Israel to disappear, and the parallel with Tehran’s drive to increase its nuclear capacities. Netanyahu said it is not enough to impose another round of moderate sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The Prime Minister also said he expects any government to condemn Iran’s calls for Israel’s annihilation, but that words must be backed with action.
Iran will soon enrich around 20% of the countrys low grade uranium to high grade. A senior government official made the declaration to the United Nations nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency but it shouldnt matter much. Iran has already ignored five Security Council resolutions demanding it freeze its enrichment program. Iranian leaders stand by their claim that the enrichment program is for peaceful purposes only.
Iran successfully launched a rocket into space carrying live animals a turtle, a mouse and worms among them. Iran is saying the Explorer 3 rocket will serve the countrys research interests, but a number of world powers arent so sure.
A spokesman for United States President Barack Obama called the act provocative, while Australia cancelled a shipment to the Islamic Republic fearing the contents could have been for Tehrans nuclear program. Even Russia voiced concerns over the issue.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi addressed the Knesset, saying the relationship between Israel and Italy is strong.
The Italian Premier said he is proud of his countrys show of support of Israel. He highlighted Italys vote against the U-Ns Goldstone Report which sought to criminalize Israel for responding to Hamas rocket fire.
Berlusconi also called for hard sanctions and international condemnation of Iran until Tehran ends its nuclear program.
British Army officers invited a number of Israeli officers, but unfortunately they won't be able to go. Britain can not vouch the officers won't be arrested on its soil. Deputy Foreign Minister says: "If British law is not changed, it could undermine the good relations". Attorney General of the United Kingdom Baroness Patricia Janet Scotland is currently in Israel and is expected to meet with Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman and elements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The United States has recently signed major arms contracts with several Arab states. Israeli officials have expressed concern about the scope and content of these agreements. Being that they are advanced weapons like anti-ship missiles and tank shells as well as bunkers. Among other countries, these weapons are intended to Egypt, Saudi-Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in order to strengthen these states against Iran.
The New York Times reports:"The administration of US President Barack Obama believes domestic unrest and signs of unexpected trouble in Iran's nuclear program, such as exposure of Qom plant, make the country's leaders particularly vulnerable to strong and immediate new sanctions. The White House wants to focus the new sanctions on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps that is believed to run the nuclear weapons effort'. 04/01/10
A day after Israel announced a unilateral cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, six key European leaders on Sunday stressed their support for Israel stating Hamas must halt rocket fire on Israeli communities and declared that the unilateral cease fire called by Israel should pave the way for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. 19/01/08
