Iran declares it’s running another uranium enrichment plant

(Russia TV – 25 September 2009) - Iran has officially declared it’s running another uranium enrichment plant.  The announcement comes shortly before Barack Obama presented evidence of this previously secret facility to the G20.

Ahmadinejad attacks Western “hypocrisy”

(Mike Hanna | Al Jazeera English | 23 September 2009) - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, launched a scathing attack on Western powers, accusing them of spreading “war, bloodshed, aggression, terror and intimidation” in the Middle East and Afghanistan.  He called for the “awakening of nations” worldwide to counter the “hypocrisy and vicious attitudes.”  Iran’s leader did not directly address the issue of its nuclear programme but called for the “eradication of arms race and elimination of all nuclear, chemical and biological weapons to pave the way for all nations to have access to advanced and peaceful technologies.”

Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna reports from New York on the speech that prompted a walkout by several delegations, including the US one.

Obama charts new world order

(Mike Hanna | Al Jazeera English | 23 September 2009) — US president, Barack Obama, outlined his vision of a new world order in which the US would participate fully – during his first address to the UN General Assembly meeting in New York. His vision was rooted on four basic principles: Non proliferation and disarmament, the promotion of peace and security, the preservation of the planet, and a global economy that advances opportunity for all people. Among the speakers that followed was the leader of Libya – Muammar Gaddafi, and the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-Moon.

Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna reports from New York on the days events.

The Human Screen Protest Against Ahmadinejad

New York City, 22 September 2009

Against a  symbolic human screen of protesters images, news footage, and Iranians saying “Ahmadinejad is not my president” captures the struggle of Iranians to have their voices heard since the June 12 presidential elections.  We share the complete video footage above.

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 »

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.

“Sanei: Online Ayatollah” by Maziar Bahari

Ayatollah Sanei shares his office and his family meal with film maker Maziar Bahari, revealing a traditional holy man offering very modern advice. Produced for Al Jazeera (English). This documentary was made by Maziar Bahari a Canadian/Iranian journalist that till today August 26th, 2009, has spent 65 days in Tehran’s Evin prison  accused of formenting a velvet revolution and does not have access to a  laywer. Read the rest of this entry »

Iran: Aims, ambition and policies

(Al Jazeera English | Inside Story | 30 August 2009) – Less than a month into his second term, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, is facing criticism about his cabinet nominees.  Iran’s parliament began a session to debate and vote on Ahmadinejad’s proposed new cabinet following his disputed re-election in June.  The outcome is widely seen as a test of the president’s hold on power after the election, which plunged Iran into its deepest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic revolution.  Despite a parliament controlled by the conservatives, Iran’s MPs are likely to reject a significant number of his ministers, increasing the pressure on Ahmadinejad.  Some of his choices are expected to provoke stormy debate. Will Ahmadinejad have a successful second term and what challenges will he face?  Read the rest of this entry »

BBC Persia Interview: Frozen Bodies Buried in the Dark of Night

In this interview, the investigator reporter, Haniff Mazroee of Norooz website , gives BBC  Persian the chilling account of the report of tens of graves in the Behesht-Zahra cemetery with unknown names. The frozen bodies were brought to Behesht-Zahra and buried in the middle of the night on two different dates. The officials of Iran deny the existence of such graves.