Iran

Would It Kill Us to Apologize to Iran for the Coup?

When President Obama told al-Arabiya, "if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us," the most widely reported Iranian response was President Ahmedinijad's suggestion that if the U.S. truly wants good relations with Iran, it should begin by apologizing for U.S. "crimes" against Iran, including U.S.

Posted in Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2009
12:00 PM

CONTACT: Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA)
Sam Husseini, (202) 347-0020; or David Zupan, (541) 484-9167

* Iran * Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - January 30 -

GARETH PORTER
Porter recently wrote the piece "Is Gates Undermining Another Opening to Iran?"

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A nationwide consortium, the Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA) represents an unprecedented effort to bring other voices to the mass-media table often dominated by a few major think tanks. IPA works to broaden public discourse in mainstream media, while building communication with alternative media outlets and grassroots activists.

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Posted in War/Empire, Afghanistan, Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2009
12:00 PM

CONTACT: The Real News Network
Geraldine Cahill 416.916.5202 Ext:423
smcommunications@therealnews.com

The Letter to Iran

How long will Obama's self-declared mutual understanding between the U.S. and the Muslim world last?

WASHINGTON - January 30 - Almost three months after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's congratulatory letter to Barack Obama, the new administration in Washington is set to respond with its own 'symbolic gesture' designed to usher in a new era of détente. Pepe Escobar, political commentator for The Real News, asks whether reiterating Republican rhetoric that accuses Iran of 'sponsoring terrorism,' will jeopardize the opportunity for progress in relations between the two countries.

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Posted in foreign policy, obama, Iran

Iran Leader Demands US Apology for Bush

$An Iranian woman walks past an anti-US mural on the wall of the former US embassy in Tehran. Iran is expecting \"concrete changes\" in US policy towards the Islamic republic under new President Barack Obama, the government spokesman was quoted has been quoted saying. (AFP/File/Atta Kenare)$

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's president called Wednesday for "profound changes" in U.S. foreign policy including an end to support for Israel and an apology to the Islamic republic for past misdeeds.

Hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also urged Washington to withdraw its troops stationed around the world. He said Iran would be closely watching what President Barack Obama's new administration does and would welcome a real shift in its approach.

Posted in foreign policy, Iran

Is Gates Undermining Another Opening to Iran?

WASHINGTON - When U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates accused Iran of "subversive activity" in Latin America Tuesday, it raised the question whether he is trying to discourage President Barack Obama from abandoning the hard line policy of coercive diplomacy toward Iran he has favored for nearly three decades.

Posted in foreign policy, Iran

Could Dennis Ross Set the Stage for Future War with Iran?

The threat that the United States would launch a military attack on Iran has never been "taken off the table," but you'd be hard pressed to find many people who think that a U.S. attack on Iran in the near term is a realistic possibility.

Posted in foreign policy, Iran, Israel/Palestine

US Rejected Aid for Israeli Raid on Iranian Nuclear Site

WASHINGTON - President Bush deflected a secret request by Israel last year for specialized bunker-busting bombs it wanted for an attack on Iran's main nuclear complex and told the Israelis that he had authorized new covert action intended to sabotage Iran's suspected effort to develop nuclear weapons, according to senior American and foreign officials.

Posted in Iran, Israel/Palestine

Neoconservatism Dies in Gaza

The Gaza War of 2009 is a final and eloquent testimony to the complete failure of the neoconservative movement in United States foreign policy. For over a decade, the leading figures in this school of thought saw the violent overthrow of Saddam Hussein and the institution of a parliamentary regime in Iraq as the magic solution to all the problems in the Middle East.

Posted in foreign policy, neoconservatism, free gaza, Iran, middle east

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2009
2:15 PM

CONTACT: Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Tel: +1-212-216-1832
Email: hrwpress@hrw.org

Iran: Threats to Nobel Laureate Escalate

Government Denunciations of Shirin Ebadi Encouraging Mob Violence

NEW YORK - January 2 - The Iranian government should immediately end its campaign of persecution against Dr. Shirin Ebadi, which has now escalated to mob threats and violence against her home, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and Human Rights Watch said today. Dr. Ebadi is the 2003 Nobel peace laureate and is a leading human rights defender in Iran.

The human rights organizations expressed grave concerns for Ebadi's safety following a violent demonstration outside her home in Tehran on January 1, 2009.

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Posted in Human Rights, Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2008
3:29 PM

CONTACT: International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)

Call for the Immediate Reopening of Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi’s Offices in Tehran

GENEVA - December 22 - The Nobel Peace Laureate International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) expressed serious concern today about the raid on and forced closure by Iranian authorities of two Tehran-based non-governmental organizations run by Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi. The Center for Participation in Clearing Mined Areas helps mine victims in Iran, and the Defenders of Human Rights Center reports on human rights violations in Iran, defends political prisoners and supports their families.

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Posted in Human Rights, landmines, Iran

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