Supreme leader Ali Khamenei is dead, an Arabic newspaper says

The daily “Al Quds Al Arabi", published in London, just announced the death of Ayatollah Ali Khameneï, Suprem leader of the Iranian Islamic Republic.

The daily said the Suprem leader died on October 14, after entering the hospital on Monday October 12. The daily said Ali Khamenei was “exhausted” by the overwork caused by the crisis that developed in the country since last June. He is said to have spent the last two days in the coma.

In a brief statement, Iranian officials denied the death of Khameneï.

Iranian sources in Teheran told us the Bassidji (local security forces) were deployed in the capital, early this morning.

Iran: contradictory information on Ali Khameneï

By the end of the afternoon, contradictory rumours continued to circulate on the health of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Sources near the power in Tehran denied the Supreme leader was dead but sources in the Iranian opposition told us he actually passed away on Wednesday and the Iranian power want to hide it “for a moment” to “control the streets and enforce security in the country”.

It must be underlined that the official website of Mr Khameneï published today an article saying: “Faithful people of northern provincial cities of Chaloos and Noshahr Wednesday presented a deep bond between nation and leadership as they gathered to welcome Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei amid heavy rain.” But it actually proves nothing…

Al Quds al-Arabi, an Arabic newspaper based in London published a information coming from a German press agency which was quoting Iranian opposition sources saying the Supreme Leader was dead. Later, al-Quds deleted the article from its front page but forgot to delete one comment on the story…

Agencies and media in Azebaidjan and Egypt relayed the same information.

 

It seems that the rumor began to spread in the United States.

The Guardian wrote tonight in London that the latest rumor "about Khamenei's possible death has been picked up by a number of respected bloggers and media organisations including ABC’s Georges Stephanopoulos, The Jerusalem Post and Pravda.” The Guardian stated: As there are so many restrictions on foreign reporting in Iran the truth is difficult to verify. But the interest and speculation about Iran has been intense, particularly on Twitter. And the British newspaper concludes: “Of course there is an easy way for the clerical regime in Tehran to put a stop to the current hysteria. But the ayatollah has yet to appear to declare that the reports of his death are exaggerated. Until he does, the chances are the rumours will spread.”

As far as tonight, we cannot confirm or deny the death of Ali Khameneï, but we confirm that the security forces in Tehran have been reinforced today.

Iran/Civil unrest: court sentences 3 protesters to death

The ISNA news agency reported that Iranian officials have sentenced to death three protesters who participated in demonstrations following the nation’s disputed presidential election in June. The news agency quoted an unnamed spokesman for the Tehran prosecutor’s office saying that the three were sentenced to be hanged and that they had been part of what Iran considered terrorist organizations.

The death sentences are the first to be made public in cases involving the hundreds charged in the vast protests that followed the government’s declaration of a landslide victory for the incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in the June 12 presidential election.

“Two of them were convicted of membership in a monarchist group seeking to topple Iran's Islamic Republic and restore a monarchy,” the semiofficial ISNA news agency quoted judiciary official Zahed Bashiri Rad as saying. “The third defendant was convicted of having ties to a terrorist group for his alleged links to the People's Mujahedeen, an armed opposition group,” ISNA quoted Rad. The three are the first defendants to be sentenced to death since the trial began in August. Official says the death sentences are not final and can be appealed in a higher court.

Iraq/Iran/Security: Baghdad frees 36 PMOI members

Shahriar Kia, spokesman of the exiled opposition group People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran (PMOI), said Wednesday that Iraqi authorities have released 36 of their members. The men were arrested during a riot in July in Camp Ashraf, northwest of Baghdad, and were under a 72-day hunger strike – demanding their release. Kia further declared that the men were critically ill.

Meanwhile, PMOI head, Maryam Rajavi has urged the camp's residents, who have also been on hunger strike for the same, to call off the protest. According to the PMOI's political wing, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, Iraqi authorities repeatedly declined court orders to release the detainees.

Ashraf was under the protection of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, and has been a home to the PMOI for many years. Under the terms of a bilateral security pact, US troops withdrew from the camp and Iraqi forces raided and took control of it on July 28. The raid led to a clash, in which at least 7 exiles were killed. Washington lists the PMOI among terrorist organisations.

Iran/Terrorism: 4 terrorists killed and 14 arrested in Kurdistan

Heidar Moslehi, the Iranian Intelligence minister has announced late on Wednesday that 4 terrorists were killed and 14 others arrested in the western province of Kurdistan. “During the clashes, one of the Iranian intelligence forces and a member of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) were also martyred,” he said to the semi official FARS news agency. “The terrorists, in coordination with alien intelligence agencies, were seeking to destabilize the region,” he added, underlining that “there are other groups which are presently under the surveillance of intelligence troops.”

During the last weeks, unknown gunmen had killed two top Clerics and wounded two judges in Sanandaj, the capital city of Kurdistan. Mamousta Sheikholeslam, the representative of Kordestan at the Assembly of Experts, was killed on September 17 while coming out of a mosque.  Mamousta Borhan Ali, the leader of the Sanandaj Friday prayers, was also assassinated on September 12.

According to Heidar Moslehi, the terrorists might have links with Wahhabists and the Al-Qaeda group. Iran, a Shiite country, often accuses Wahhabist, of trying to destabilize the country.

Iran/Defence: Tehran launches home-made missile boat

Iran has launched a high-tech, home-made missile boat on Tuesday. Dubbed Sina, the warship kicked off its first sail in the Caspian Sea in northern Iran in the presence of Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi and Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, commander of the Iranian Navy. The ship is equipped with more than 100 radar systems, missiles, artillery, electronic and telecommunication systems, and has the defense capability against electronic and anti-electronic invasion.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami has declared that Tehran is looking forward to produce an advanced version of its Sejil missile. "A new generation of optimized and advanced Sejil missiles will be produced,” he said. "The solid-fuel long-range Sejil missile has been tested since last year and was delivered to the armed forces and the IRGC air forces in particular. The two-stage Sejil has high accuracy and destructive capability and is amongst the most advanced missile systems that the armed forces have.”

Tehran has announced for few years several technological advances in its defence however Western intelligence agencies doubt about the real abilities of the Islamic republic to improve its defence systems. However, Moscow has provided the country with several advanced weapons.

Iran/Defence: West condemns Tehran's missile tests

The United Kingdom, France and the European Union have condemned the recent series of missile tests led by Tehran on Monday, calling them a "provocative" act. "We call on Iran to choose the path of co-operation rather than confrontation, by immediately ceasing these deeply destabilising activities," said a statement from the French foreign ministry. Iran's Revolutionary Guards test-fired the Shahab 3 and Sejil missiles as part of a military exercise dubbed "Great Prophet 4", hours after they had tested the Shahab 1 and Shahab 2.

Earlier yesterday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to provide inspectors "unfettered access" to its nuclear facilities. Concern also came from Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "Of course it is worrisome when missile launches happen against the backdrop of an unresolved situation concerning Iran's nuclear programme," said Lavrov. He also added he was "convinced that restraint is needed", hinting to the Western powers – who are looking forward to impose new sanctions on Tehran. London also stated the test should not spoil the upcoming international dialogue with Iran regarding its nuclear programme.

Iran/Security: Tehran refuses to discuss nuclear 'rights' in talks with world powers

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, said Tuesday that Iran will not discuss issues relating to its nuclear "rights", including the newly disclosed uranium enrichment plant, during talks with six world powers in Geneva on Thursday. "We are not going to discuss anything related to our nuclear rights, but we can discuss about disarmament, we can discuss about non-proliferation and other general issues," said Salehi. "The new site is part of our rights and there is no need to discuss it," he added.

However, Salehi was also quoted saying earlier today that he will be announcing a timetable for the United Nations nuclear watchdog to come and inspect the plant. "Yes, the inspectors will come and inspect. We are working out a timetable for the inspection and we will soon be writing a letter to the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the location of the facility and others.” Amid the increasing Western condemnation regarding its nuclear programme, Salehi argued saying, "It against our religion to produce, use, hold or have nuclear weapons. Since 1974 we have been saying this."

Iran/Defence: Defiant Tehran continues missile tests

Iran has carried out another missile test on Monday, said the country's state TV. The long-range Shahab-3 missile, which has a range of up to 2,000 km, was the third missile test-fired in the last two days. Earlier on Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired two short-range Shahab 1 and 2 missiles – as a part of military exercises dubbed the "Great Prophet 4".

Tehran is reportedly carrying out the “war games” or testing the weapons "to display its determination to counter any attack by it enemies", like Israel or the United States. The tests came amid an increasing tension between Tehran and Western nations over its nuclear programme. Later this week, Iran will be meeting major powers of the world, known as the P5+1, to discuss its nuclear programme and other issues. The talks with the five UN Security Council members plus Germany resulted after Tehran announced last week that it has been building a second uranium enrichment plant.

Iran/Terrorism: Two policemen and four terrorists killed in gun battle

According to a report on Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency, two police officers and four terrorists were killed in a gun battle in the capital city of Sanandaj in Iran's Kurdistan province on Monday. Police said the killed militants were responsible for the recent murders of Mohammad Sheikholeslam and Borhan Ali – two clerics shot dead earlier this month. “Law enforcement and security forces raided the house of this terrorist group last evening (Sunday) and killed a few of them and arrested some others,” the agency quoted deputy police chief Ahmad Reza Radan as saying.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar has blamed “terrorist elements” backed “and directed by foreign sources” for killing the clerics. Najjar said it was an attempt “to divide the Shiite and Sunni.” The Islamic republic has blamed American and British agents for carrying out attacks in its provinces that borders Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iran/Nuclear: Tehran announces building second uranium-enrichment facility

According to media reports on Friday, Iran has announced it builds a second uranium-enrichment facility. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also declared that Iran had informed them about they are building "a new pilot fuel enrichment plant” earlier on September 21. According to the IAEA, Tehran is assuring it will provide "further complementary information (...) in an appropriate and due time". "In response, the IAEA has requested Iran to provide specific information and access to the facility as soon as possible. This will allow the agency to assess safeguards verification requirements for the facility," said IAEA spokesman Marc Vidricaire.

Meanwhile, the French Foreign Ministry has described the new development as “the latest grave breach” of United Nations resolutions. Earlier, US President Barack Obama, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy were to demand IAEA before the G-20 summit, an immediate inspection of the site. Two US administration officials, on the condition of anonymity, said Obama will accuse Iran for building the secret plant. United Kingdom and France has also urged the UN to consider increasing pressure on Tehran.

United Nations/Iran/Security: Ahmadinejad's speech angers UN delegates

(John Angellino/Photo News)

Delegates from the United Kingdom, the United States and France walked out in protest against a speech made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during the 64th UN General Assembly on Wednesday. In his speech, Ahmadinejad accused Israel for its policies in the Palestinian territories. Ahmadinejad also lashed out against the increasing capitalism of the US, its Western allies and Israel.

"How can one imagine that the inhumane policies in Palestine may continue to force the entire population of a country out of their homeland for more than 60 years by resorting to force and coercion; to attack them with all types of arms and even prohibited weapons," he said. He has also accused foreign troops for the "bloodshed, aggression, terror and intimidation" in Iraq and Afghanistan. Later in the day, a spokeswoman for the UK delegation said it was "anti-Semitic" rhetorics that prompted the walk-out.

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi also joined Ahmadinejad in denouncing “an unjust world dominated by five powers”. Gadhafi said the UN has failed to stop wars, further accusing its member nations for treating other nations as "second-class, despised" countries. "It should be called the terror council," he said, calling for the abolition of the veto power enjoyed by the five permanent members of the UN – the US, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France. He stated the membership should be expanded, “with a greater voice for Africa, Latin America, Arab and Muslim nations”. The UN and many other nations had earlier appealed for global unity.

Iran/Japan/Security: Tehran wants to cooperate with Tokyo against nuclear weapons

(Mohammad Kheirkhah/Upi/Gamma/Photo News)

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told Katsuya Okada, his Japanese counterpart, that Tehran wants to co-operate with Tokyo in working to abolish nuclear weapons. During a meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Mottaki told Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada that Iran had no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons and that the age of nuclear weapons was over. Mottaki added that Iran was willing to work with Japan, the only country to have suffered a nuclear attack by US, in the effort to ban nuclear weapons, officials said.

Okada said it was a pity suspicion hung over Iran's nuclear activities and urged Mottaki to hold frank discussions with the Obama administration, but Mottaki said Iran had no intention of talking about its nuclear rights, the officials said. Iran has agreed to hold talks with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain, plus Germany, on October 1.

Iran/Demonstration: government warns of pro-Palestinian rally

(Eslamirad Mohammad/Gamma/Photo News)

Tens of thousands supporters of Iran's opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi took to the streets on Friday defying regime warnings and a heavy police presence at the annual al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day Palestinian solidarity rally. Reportedly, the opposition supporters chanted slogans in favour of Mir Hossein and demanded the release of political prisoners detained since the aftermath of the presidential election. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters staged a protest in the landmark Haft-e Square in the city centre where Mousavi himself was due to join the Quds (Jerusalem) Day rally later.

Hundreds more gathered near Vali Asr square where hardline supporters of the regime mounted a counter-protest. "Death to the dictator," the opposition supporters chanted. "Death to the United States, death to Israel," retorted the hardliners in the traditional Quds Day refrain.

But Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a warning on Thursday that it would deal "decisively" with any attempt to mount what would be the first opposition protest since a July 19 demonstration held to mark the anniversary of student unrest in 1999. "We are warning people and the movements who want to help the Zionist regime that if you seek any disruption or disorder during the glorious Quds Day rally, you will be decisively confronted by the courageous children of Iran," the Guards said. The security forces would tackle any "divisive and anti-revolutionary movement," it said.

Iran/Security: Tehran will never stop nuclear program, says Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced on Thursday that his country will 'never' abandon its disputed nuclear program to appease Western critics. "We don't need nuclear weapons," Ahmadinejad said in an interview with NBC-TV. Ahmadinejad did not offer a direct response when asked whether there were any conditions under which Iran would develop a nuclear weapon. "We do not see any need for such weapons. And the conditions around the world are moving to favor our ideas," Ahmadinejad said, speaking through an interpreter. He said Iran would "never" halt work on its nuclear program to mollify Western skeptics.

Tehran has repeatedly said it is enriching uranium only to generate electricity, not for fissile bomb material, although it has no nuclear power plants to use low-level enriched uranium. "We have always believed in talking, in negotiating, that's our logic. Nothing has changed," Ahmadinejad said. "If you are talking about the enrichment of uranium for peaceful purposes, this will never be closed down here in Iran," he said.

Earlier, Associated Press reported that Iran has "sufficient information" to build a bomb and is likely to "overcome problems" on developing a delivery system. However, dismissing the report the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday said, "With respect to a recent media report, the IAEA reiterates that it has no concrete proof that there is or has been a nuclear weapons program in Iran.”

Iran/Demonstration: former president Mohammad Khatami assaulted during the al-Quds Day rally

(Eslami Rad/Gamma/Photo News)

The Iranian former president Mohammad Khatami has been attacked this Friday during the annual al-Quds Day rally in Tehran. “A group of hardliners assaulted Mohammad Khatami,” reported a reformist website. “During the scuffle, his turban fell off and they wanted to beat him. But supporters resisted them and the riot police promptly intervened,” added the website.  

Mohammad Reza Khatami, the brother of the former president underlined that he was not hurt during the attack. Mohammad Khatami is a key supporter of Iranian opposition groups.

Iran/Security: Ahmadinejad slams Holocaust as a false pretext for creating Israel

(Mohammad Kheirkhah/Upi/photo News)

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday called the mass murder of Jews by the Nazis a "fairy tale" and urged Iranians that confronting the 'Zionist regime' was a 'national and religious duty' "The Holocaust is a false claim, a fairy tale, used as a pretext for crimes against humanity," the Iranian president told an anti-Israel rally in Tehran.

Ahmadinejad said that if the Shoa was true, then it was committed by Europeans who should, therefore, also be responsible for compensation. "When you [Europe] confess having committed such a crime, so also provide the Jews with lands in Europe, America or Canada," Ahmadinejad said. "Why should the Palestinians suffer from an incident in which they were not involved?"

Thousands of opposition supporters on Friday held protests in competition with government-sponsored mass rallies to mark an annual anti-Israel commemoration, the al-Quds Day that reflects the Persian nation's sympathy with the Palestinians. It has been reported that former president Mohammad Khatami has been attacked during the annual rally in Tehran.

Iran/Political unrest: Khamenei warns opposition of harsh response

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday warned the opposition that they would face a harsh response if they drew their "swords" against the Islamic Republic. "Resisting the system and taking out the sword against the system will be followed by a harsh response," Khamenei said in his sermon at Tehran University, which was attended by hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and top officials. "If somebody stands against the basis of the (Islamic) system and violates people's security, the system is forced to confront it," Khamenei said.

Khamenei's stern warning, delivered at a Friday prayers sermon broadcast live by state media, was a clear signal he would not tolerate any perceived threat to Iran's clerical system of government. However, he said criticism and differences of views among officials are acceptable, but "should not lead to conflicts."

It was the first time Khamenei led Friday prayers since a week after the disputed June poll, when supported President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election and has dismissed opposition claims that Ahmadinejad's victory in the vote was fraudulent.

The cases of Jacques Monsieur, the ANL Australia and the Arctic Sea: shedding some light on Tehran’s strategy of arms procurement 

By Claude MONIQUET, President of ESISC 

At the beginning of the month of August, an Australian container ship, the ANL AUSTRALIA was intercepted in the United Arab Emirates with a cargo of automatic arms having Iran as its destination. On 28 August 2009, the Belgian arms trafficker Jacques Monsieur was arrested in New York and accused of attempted illegal export of military materiel to the Islamic Republic. Finally, the incredible affair of the ‘hijacking’ of the Arctic Sea gave rise to many rumours. Some newspapers went so far as to write that the ship was transporting missiles purchased by Tehran.  These three recent cases shed light on a generally little known aspect of the activity of the Mullahs: the way in which the revolutionary regime of Iran procures its arms and military equipment… Read  

Les cas de Jacques Monsieur, de l’ANL Australia et de l’Arctic Sea : un éclairage sur la stratégie d’acquisition d’armes de Téhéran 

Par Claude MONIQUET, Président de l’ESISC  

Au début du mois d’août, un porte containers australien, l’ANL AUSTRALIA était intercepté aux Emirats arabes unis avec une cargaison d’armes individuelles à destination de l’Iran. Le 28 août 2009, le trafiquant d’armes belge Jacques Monsieur était arrêté à New York et accusé de tentative d’exportation illégale de matériels militaires vers la République islamique. Enfin, la rocambolesque affaire du « détournement » de l’Arctic Sea a généré de nombreuses rumeurs, certains journaux allant jusqu’à écrire que le navire transportait des missiles achetés par Téhéran. Trois affaires récentes qui mettent en lumière un aspect généralement peu connu de l’activité des Mollahs : la manière dont le régime révolutionnaire iranien se procure ses armes et équipements militaires... Lire