U.S., Iran: So much to talk about

Upcoming discussions with Iran should address its nuclear program and its awful human rights record.

(LA Times | Editorial | 19 September 2009) – The Obama administration has agreed to direct talks with the government of Iran, along with the other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany, at a meeting scheduled for Oct. 1. Now the question is: What will they talk about? Read the rest of this entry »

Sign the Petition Requesting UN members to walk out on Ahmadinejad on September 23rd, 2009

To:  United Nation members

I am writing to ask you to take a stand against the atrocities being inflicted on the Iranian people by their current government under the leadership of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Please do not acknowledge this person’s assumed role as President of Iran.

Regardless of the results of the June 12 election in Iran, this individual and his government have exhibited blatant disregard for basic human rights and have broken the international treaties of the Geneva Conventions. Rape, torture, and murder have been thrust upon the Iranian people and their families by the hands of the Iran government.

I ask you to reproach your decision that extends an invitation to Ahmadinejad at the annual General Assembly meeting on September 23rd, 2009. If Ahmadinejad is still allowed to attend, I respectfully ask that you refuse to share council chamber with him and leave the meeting.

The people of Iran have not asked the rest of the world for money, intervention or interference, all they ask is for our support in their struggle for a free, democratic Iran. As representative of your country and its people, I urge you to demonstrate that support and walk out on Ahmadinejad on September 23.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned – Sign the Petition

Election Tempers Reignite at Rallies Across Iran

(PBS | Online Newshour) – Demonstrators clashed in the streets of Tehran Friday in renewed protest of the results of June’s election. The protests came amid a day of anti-Israel rallies, which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used to once again deny the Holocaust. ITN reports. Read the rest of this entry »

Clashes erupt at Iran mass rally

Thousands of opposition supporters have clashed with security forces during a government-sponsored rally in Tehran.

(BBC News | 18 September 2009) – Iran’s reformists had been warned not to try to turn the pro-Palestinian Quds (Jerusalem) Day marches into anti-government protests. Read the rest of this entry »

The Green Wave of  Freedom

“We shouldn’t leave any stone unturned and live up to our commitments in our struggle against cheaters and liars.” – Mir Hossein Mousavi

Dear Friends,

The more we know about Iran, the more we understand what goes on in the Middle East, and perhaps the world.

For those of you who are interested in the unfolding of events in Iran,  Green Wave of Freedom is one of the best sites dedicated to these events.  It is now available in English.

Thank you for your support of my country and my people,

Mahmood Read the rest of this entry »

Conditioning a U.S.-Iranian Dialogue

Talks between the United States, Iran, and world powers are scheduled for October 1, but analysts are deeply divided over whether gathering around the negotiating table will prove fruitful.

(Greg Bruno | Council on Foreign Relations | 15 September 2009) - President Barack Obama has confirmed a willingness to press ahead with negotiations to try to end the standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program. Talks between the United States, Iran, and world powers are scheduled for October 1, possibly in Turkey (Reuters). And while the Islamic Republic may not be interested (PDF) in dwelling on its nuclear activities, U.S. and other Western negotiators clearly are. “It will be part of that discussion,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs promised this week. But analysts are deeply divided over whether gathering around the negotiating table will prove fruitful. Iran’s disputed presidential election changed the calculus, these observers say. Read the rest of this entry »

Updates From Mir Hossein Mousavi’s Facebook

(Mir Hossein Mousavi | Facebook | 14 September 2009)

Mir Hossein Mousavi: There have been reports that following the rumours regarding the possible arrest of Karoubi, Ayatollah Hashemi-Rafsanjani has announced that should this take place, he will resign from all of his governmental positions (Which are key positions in IR: Head of the Expediency Council and head of the Assembly of Experts). This would be very costly for the regime as it would bring it to a new level of illegitimacy!

Mir Hossein Mousavi: Another video of the heavily controlled city of Qom. Despite intense security measures in the holy city of Qom, people gathered in front of Grand Ayatollah Saneei’s office last night after his strong speech for the Qadr night ceremony and showed their protest to the current events. They were chanting “death to the dictator,” “Coup administration, resign, resign” and “We will meet on Qods Day.” Read the rest of this entry »

Rethinking our Iran strategy

The Islamic Republic’s revolution may be at a crossroads. It’s a possible opening for the U.S.

(Robin Wright and Robert Litwak | Los Angeles Times | 13 September 2009) - Three decades of assumptions about Iran — including the premises behind Washington’s recent outreach to Tehran — have been transformed by its stunning uprising. It’s time for a policy rethink. Read the rest of this entry »

Exclusive: Read Iran’s New Proposal for Nuclear Talks

(Dafna Linzer | ProPublica | 10 September 2009) - The Iranian government has told the Obama administration and its Western allies that it is ready to hold “comprehensive, all-encompassing and constructive” negotiations on a range of security issues, including global nuclear disarmament. Read the rest of this entry »

Iran’s new nuclear talks plan

Many observers see Iran’s new proposal package as a way to freeze the clock on further sanctions. Will Tehran in the end bow to growing international pressure? Would sanctions work? And will the proposal help end Iran’s isolation?

(Al Jazeera English | Inside Edition | 10 September 2009) - Manouchehr Mottakir, Iran’s foreign minister, has submitted his government’s latest proposals to the envoys of the six countries involved in nuclear talks. The proposal comes as Tehran has been threatened with harsher sanctions over its nuclear ambitions. Diplomats will be studying the Iranian message for signs that Tehran is really interested in taking up the offer of economic and political concessions in return for a halt to its uranium enrichment programme.  The proposal is not expected to lead to a breakthrough in the nuclear dispute.  Many observers see Iran’s new proposal package as a way to freeze the clock on further sanctions. Will Tehran in the end bow to growing international pressure? Would sanctions work? And will the proposal help end Iran’s isolation?

This episode of Inside Story airs from Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 1730GMT and 2230GMT, with repeats on Friday at 0430GMT and 1030GMT.