TToI:‘"Sparks fly"’ over US policy on Iran at meeting between Netanyahu and US envoy

[visionary]

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/10/20121024532197217.html

Iran's rial plunges as Western sanctions bite

Iran's currency has lost more than a quarter of its value against the dollar over the past week, a sign that Western sanctions are having a serious impact on the country's economy.

"This speaks to the unrelenting and increasingly successful international pressure that we are all bringing to bear on the Iranian economy"

The losses include a 17 per cent drop in one day: The black-market exchange rate plunged to about 34,500 per dollar on Monday, down from Sunday's rate of about 29,600, according to currency-tracking websites. (The official rate remains has been pegged at 12,260 rials on the dollar for several years.)

The decline comes after a week of tough talk at the United Nations, where US President Barack Obama said his country would "do what we must" to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu hinted at a military strike next year.

The US and European Union have imposed increasingly-tough economic sanctions to pressure Iran into suspending its nuclear programme. Iran insists that the programme is peaceful.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said in its latest report that Iran was blocking access to one site suspected of conducting research connected to nuclear weapons.

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/02/us-nuclear-iran-bomb-idUSBRE8910JW20121002

Iran may still be years away from any nuclear-armed missile

Iran already has enough low-enriched uranium for several atomic bombs if refined to a high degree but it may still be a few years away from being able to build a nuclear-armed missile if it decided to go down that path.

Israel's warning last week that Iran will be on the brink of developing a nuclear weapon by mid-2013 seemed to refer to when it could have a sufficient stock of higher-grade uranium to make a quick dash to produce a bomb's worth of weapon-grade material.

But, analysts say, Tehran would need time also for the technologically complicated task of fashioning highly refined uranium gas into a nuclear warhead small enough to fit on a missile - if it opts for such weapons of mass destruction.

"If they haven't worked out all the steps with dummy materials beforehand they will have a lot to do," said a Vienna-based diplomat who is not from one of the six world powers involved in diplomacy over Iran's disputed nuclear activity.

"Maybe they have all of the equipment ready. Maybe they have played with surrogate materials. I don't think anyone knows."

[twa]

"Maybe they have all of the equipment ready. Maybe they have played with surrogate materials. I don't think anyone knows."

ask NK or Pakistan, they might have a clue

http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/iran-tested-advanced-nuclear-warhead-design?page=0,1

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/12/iran-nuclear-israel-usa-idINL6E8JC18D20120812

'BOOSTED' NUCLEAR EFFORTS

Citing an unnamed senior Israeli official, the Haaretz daily said a new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) compiled by the Obama administration included a "last-minute update" about significant Iranian progress in the development of a nuclear warhead "far beyond the scope known" to U.N. inspectors.

The Israel Hayom daily reported NIE findings that Iran had "boosted efforts" to advance its nuclear programme, including work to develop ballistic missile warheads, and said U.S. and Israeli assessments largely tallied on this intelligence.

Neither newspaper provided direct quotes or detailed evidence. For Haaretz, it was the second report since Thursday purporting to draw on a new NIE.

Washington has not commented on whether such an NIE exists.

[AsburySkinsFan]

I'm always amused by those who think that any and all communication happens through the face to face photo ops. By a show of hands who honestly believes that the Obama adminstration has for even a single day been out of communication with Bibby and his adminstration?

[JMS]

"Maybe they have all of the equipment ready. Maybe they have played with surrogate materials. I don't think anyone knows."

.

Years away from nuclear missile is irrelevant. The thing that concerns the Israeli's is not a nuclear missile years into the future. It's a nuclear warhead which they, the Israeli's are saying is six months to a year out.

Coarse we've all heard that before with Iraq. But the Israeli Massad might have a little more credibility than G W. Condi, et. al.

I think the impasse with the President and the Israeli PM is where to draw the line. Iran could perfect all the steps in producing a bomb, but just not actually build a bomb nor test a bomb. Don't think that would be OK with the Israeli's. But where is the line? If Iran never actually builds or tests a bomb, but continues to work on the components is that tolerable? If not when does it become so intolerable you are willing to commit up to a million US troops in order to stop them?

---------- Post added October-2nd-2012 at 01:45 PM ----------

I'm always amused by those who think that any and all communication happens through the face to face photo ops. By a show of hands who honestly believes that the Obama administration has for even a single day been out of communication with Bibby and his administration?

Someone in the US gov probable talks to someone in the Israeli government daily. I'll bet Obama and Bibi talks don't occur all that often. The way Bibi has treated the administration, I'm sure giving him access to the President when he wants to chat is one stick the administration has deployed which impacts BiBi politically and personally. US administrations have often employed access to swat bad behavior among our allies. Bibi has gotten this treatment a few times from various Presidents, and Bibi as bad ans he's been historically, he's been an order of magnitude more egregious to Obama.

[Teller]

I'm always amused by those who think that any and all communication happens through the face to face photo ops. By a show of hands who honestly believes that the Obama adminstration has for even a single day been out of communication with Bibby and his adminstration?

A single day? I do. But I agree with your overall premise.

[visionary]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19820312#TWEET250214

Protests in capital over Iran currency crisis

3 October 2012 Last updated at 12:30 ET

Riot police in Iran have clashed with protesters in the capital over sharp falls in the currency, the rial.

Tear gas was used to disperse the demonstrators, some of whom were setting fire to tyres and rubbish bins. There were many arrests, reports say.

Eyewitnesses told the BBC that scores of people gathered outside the central bank, calling for the governor to stand down, chanting anti-government slogans.

There's a short video with the article.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/03/iran-currency-crisis-tehran-clashes?CMP=twt_gu

Iran currency crisis sparks Tehran street clashes

Hundreds of demonstrators in the Iranian capital, Tehran, clashed with riot police, who used batons and teargas to disperse the crowd, which had gathered on Wednesday in protest against the crisis raging over the country's national currency.

The day after president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appealed to the market to restore calm, the Grand Bazaar – the heartbeat of Tehran's economy – went on strike, with various businesses shutting down and owners gathering in scattered groups chanting anti-government slogans in reaction to the plummeting value of the rial, which has hit all-time lows this week.

"Mahmoud [Ahmadineajd] the traitor ... leave politics," protesters chanted against the president, according to witnesses who spoke to the Guardian. Other slogans included "leave Syria alone, instead think of us," opposition website Kaleme.com reported.

The mention of Syria is a reference to the alleged financial and military support of Iranian leaders to the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which appears to have infuriated protesters in the wake of the country's worst financial crisis since the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

Witnesses in Tehran said angry protesters and foreign exchange dealers were demonstrating in areas close to the Bazaar in the south of the capital, where many exchange bureaux are located.

Conservatives are using the crisis to blame Ahmadi and up their own influence though.

https://twitter.com/oxfordgirl

Grand Ayatollahs in Qom blame Ahmadinejad and his government for fall of currency and economic decline

1:08 PM

Ali Larijani, speaker of Iran Majlis (parliament) 2day accused Ahmadinejad of mismanagement of the economy

1:10 PM

[visionary]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/04/world/middleeast/clashes-reported-in-tehran-as-riot-police-target-money-changers.html?ref=global-home&_r=0

Clashes and Protest Over Iran Currency Plunge Hit Tehran

Clashes and at least one spontaneous protest erupted in Tehran on Wednesday over the plunging value of Iran’s currency, as black-market money-changers fought with riot police who were dispatched to shut them down, and hundreds of angry citizens demonstrated near the capital’s sprawling merchant bazaar, where many shops had closed for the day. The official media reported an unspecified number of arrests including two Europeans.

The clashes were the first instance of a violent intervention over the money-changing business in Tehran since the currency, the rial, which had been gradually losing value in recent years, dropped drastically over the past week, losing 40 percent of its worth against the dollar, to a record low.

Economists have called the rial’s plunge a stark reflection of the economic pain in Iran caused in part by government mismanagement and the Western sanctions on Iran’s disputed nuclear program.

Witnesses in and around Manoucheri Street, where the black-market money changers do business, described cat-and-mouse chases between motorized riot police armed with tear gas and batons, and money changers and their customers, who were forced to scatter.

The anger over the rial’s plunge spread to Tehran’s grand bazaar, where many merchants closed their stores and hundreds of shoppers joined in what appeared to be a spontaneous protest, accusing the government of failing to protect their currency from collapse.

“They spend billions of dollars to keep Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power, but now they say they have no money!,” one garment seller screamed as he was cheered on by others, witnesses reported. A team from Iran’s state television was nearly attacked when its reporter turned to the camera saying that the people behind him had been upset over a robbery

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/03/world/middleeast/qassim-suleimani-irans-master-of-iraq-chaos-still-vexes-the-us.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&pagewanted=all

Iran’s Master of Iraq Chaos Still Vexes U.S.

[visionary]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/04/world/meast/iran-currency-protests/index.html

Iran arrests 16 'main players' in currency crisis

Iran arrested 16 people Thursday, accusing them of contributing to the currency crisis plaguing the country that has triggered protests in the streets.

Those arrested "were the main players in the recent fluctuations in the foreign currency market," the Tehran Judiciary said in a statement.

The move came a day after riot police worked to disperse protests in the capital's main bazaar and nearby streets. Demonstrators chanted slogans opposing firebrand President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and decrying the skyrocketing cost of basic goods.

Some "agitators" and two European tourists who were gathering information about the protests were arrested Wednesday, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

The government did not identify the 16 arrested Thursday. In a written statement, the judiciary said they "had used an atmosphere of psychological war created by the enemy" and colluded with "certain domestic and foreign groups" to exacerbate conditions."

They traded extensively in "smuggled" currencies "outside of the banking network" in order to increase the value of foreign currencies and disturb the public, the judiciary claimed, adding that they "amassed illegal fortunes."

One of the accused had $300 million going through a bank account, the statement said.

Iran warned that others "are being accused as well and will be dealt with soon."

Now everything will be just fine....

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/04/us-eu-iran-sanctions-gas-idUSBRE89313F20121004

Exclusive: EU poised to agree ban on Iranian gas imports

The European Union is poised to ban imports of Iranian gas as part of a set of new measures to ratchet up pressure on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme, diplomats said on Thursday.

Diplomats from EU member states have started preparing a package of sanctions against Iran with a goal of formally adopting them at a meeting of foreign ministers on October 15 in Luxembourg.

Late on Wednesday, they reached a preliminary deal to ban gas imports, the first measure to win approval in the package, which also consists of various finance and energy-related proposals, three EU diplomats said.

"There is agreement on gas," one of the diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The big states back it, Germany, Britain, France," another one said.

[visionary]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/world/middleeast/hassan-nasrallah-says-hezbollah-flew-iranian-designed-drone-into-israel.html?_r=0

Hezbollah Says It Flew Iranian-Designed Drone Into Israel

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militant group and political party Hezbollah, declared Thursday that his fighters had assembled and piloted a drone that flew 35 miles into Israel on Saturday, calling the flight an unprecedented achievement in “the history of the resistance.”

In a televised, 50-minute speech, Mr. Nasrallah said the drone, which was shot down by Israeli forces, had been designed in Iran and assembled by Hezbollah experts in Lebanon.

“It is our right to send other drones whenever we want,” Mr. Nasrallah said, noting that Israel frequently violated Lebanese airspace. “It was not the first time and it will not be the last.”

Hours earlier, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, accused Hezbollah in the episode, saying that Israel had “thwarted over the weekend Hezbollah’s attempt” to penetrate its airspace. The group has sent a drone over Israel at least once before.

There was no immediate official reaction from Israel to Mr. Nasrallah’s speech, or warnings about the need for a military response against Hezbollah in Lebanon. If anything, there seemed to be an attempt to point a finger at Hezbollah’s patron, the more distant Iran.

[twa]

There was no immediate official reaction from Israel to Mr. Nasrallah’s speech, or warnings about the need for a military response against Hezbollah in Lebanon

When Israeli's quit jawing it's time to find a hole.

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/14/us-lebanon-israel-drone-iran-idUSBRE89D09N20121014

Iran says Hezbollah drone sent into Israel proves its capabilities

Iran said on Sunday the launch of a drone aircraft into Israel by Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was a sign of the Islamic Republic's military capabilities.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility on Thursday for the launch of the drone aircraft which Israel shot down last weekend after flying 25 miles into the Jewish state, saying the drone's parts were manufactured in Iran and assembled in Lebanon.

Tensions have increased in the region with Israel threatening to bomb the nuclear sites of Hezbollah's patron Iran if diplomacy and sanctions fail to stop Iranian nuclear activity the West suspects is meant to develop a weapons capability. Tehran says it is seeking only civilian nuclear energy.

Iran has threatened in turn to attack U.S. military bases in the Middle East and retaliate against Israel if attacked.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/14/us-iran-economy-idUSBRE89D0B720121014

Iran says it will cut imports of non-essential goods

Iran said it would seek to cut imports of non-essential goods and urged its citizens to reduce their use of foreign-made mobile telephones and cars, as the country struggles to cope with Western economic sanctions.

The policies suggest the government is moving the economy onto an austerity footing to resist the sanctions, which have been imposed over Iran's controversial nuclear program and have slashed its income from oil exports this year.

Authorities have divided imports into 10 categories based on how essential they are, and will provide importers with dollars at a subsidized rate to buy basic goods, Deputy Industry Minister Hamid Safdel was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Meanwhile, importers of goods in two non-essential categories will have to obtain dollars at much more expensive rates on the open market, the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) quoted him as saying.

Goods in these two categories include cigarette papers, wallpaper, mobile phones, luggage, clothing and cars, ISNA reported. It said about $10 to $12 billion was spent annually on importing luxury and non-essential goods into Iran.

[visionary]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/16/world/middleeast/european-union-intensifies-sanctions-on-iran.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

European Union Intensifies Sanctions on Iran

The European Union toughened sanctions against Iran on Monday because of the disputed Iranian nuclear program, banning trade in sectors like finance, metals and natural gas, and making business transactions in many other areas far more cumbersome.

The European Union’s foreign ministers agreed to the measures, the most far-reaching since it slapped a ban on oil imports in July, at a regular meeting in Luxembourg.

In a joint statement, the ministers expressed “serious and deepening concerns over Iran’s nuclear program” and said Iran “is acting in flagrant violation of its international obligations.”

The decision to intensify pressure on Iran comes amid growing evidence that sanctions aimed at forcing Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities have begun to inflict serious damage to its economy.

“We want to see a negotiated agreement,” said Catherine Ashton, the Union’s foreign policy chief who represents six major powers including the United States, ahead of the meeting. “But we will continue to keep up the pressure,” Ms. Ashton said, adding that the sanctions policy “is important because it’s quite clearly having an effect.”

[visionary]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/world/middleeast/dispute-between-ahmadinejad-and-rivals-in-iran-takes-bitter-turn.html?ref=world&_r=1&

Iran’s Political Infighting Erupts in Full View

A long and bitter rivalry between Iran’s president and an influential band of brothers in the political hierarchy exploded into the open on Monday, signaling new fractures in the facade of unity as the country confronts worsening economic conditions and isolation over the disputed Iranian nuclear program.

In a letter published by Iranian news sites, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused the head of the powerful judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, of protecting “certain individuals” from prosecution for economic corruption who are widely understood to be high officials, including Ayatollah Larijani’s oldest brother.

Mr. Ahmadinejad also demanded access to Tehran’s Evin prison, to visit one of his aides who has been held for nearly a month. In order to build his case, Mr. Ahmadinejad referred to a range of articles in the Iranian Constitution that explain the powers of the president.

The accusation escalated a simmering conflict between Mr. Ahmadinejad and opponents among influential clerics, parliamentarians and commanders. It followed a decision announced on Sunday by Iran’s judiciary to deny Mr. Ahmadinejad access to the prison — a humiliating slap at the president’s authority.

Mr. Ahmadinejad had wanted to visit Ali Akbar Javanfekr, his press adviser and former head of the official Islamic Republic News Agency, imprisoned since September on a six-month sentence for having insulted Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mr. Javanfekr’s arrest and conviction had also been seen as a move to curtail presidential powers.

Adding insult to injury, a judiciary statement said Mr. Ahmadinejad had been informed his visit would be “inappropriate” and divert attention from Iran’s economic problems.

Both Mr. Ahmadinejad’s government and his opponents have been trying to cast each other as responsible for double-digit inflation, high unemployment and a devaluation of the national currency. These economic indicators have worsened in recent months with the bite of antinuclear sanctions, which have constricted Iran’s ability to sell oil and do routine banking transactions.

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/23/us-emirates-iran-gold-idUSBRE89M0SW20121023

Exclusive: Turkish gold trade booms to Iran, via Dubai

To see one of Iran's financial lifelines at work, pay a visit to Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport and find a gate for a flight to Dubai.

Couriers carrying millions of dollars worth of gold bullion in their luggage have been flying from Istanbul to Dubai, where the gold is shipped on to Iran, according to industry sources with knowledge of the business.

The sums involved are enormous. Official Turkish trade data suggests nearly $2 billion worth of gold was sent to Dubai on behalf of Iranian buyers in August. The shipments help Tehran manage its finances in the face of Western financial sanctions.

The sanctions, imposed over Iran's disputed nuclear program, have largely frozen it out of the global banking system, making it hard for it to conduct international money transfers. By using physical gold, Iran can continue to move its wealth across borders.

"Every currency in the world has an identity, but gold means value without identity. The value is absolute wherever you go," said a trader in Dubai with knowledge of the gold trade between Turkey and Iran.

The identity of the ultimate destination of the gold in Iran is not known. But the scale of the operation through Dubai and its sudden growth suggest the Iranian government plays a role.

Iranian gold buyers may want to conceal their Turkish gold deliveries for fear of attracting attention from the United States, which is pressing countries around the world to shrink their economic ties with Iran.

The buyers may also want to make their purchases less vulnerable to any possible interference by Turkey's government. Turkey's close relationship with Iran has begun to sour as the two states find themselves on opposite sides of the civil war in Syria, with Turkey advocating the departure of President Bashar al-Assad and Iran remaining Assad's staunchest regional ally.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/23/us-iran-oil-idUSBRE89M0EP20121023

Iran says may stop oil sales if sanctions tighten

Iran said on Tuesday it would stop oil exports if pressure from Western sanctions got any tighter and that it had a "Plan B" contingency strategy to survive without oil revenues.

Western nations led by the United States have imposed tough sanctions on the Islamic Republic this year in an attempt to curb its nuclear program that they say is designed to produce atomic weapons. Tehran says its nuclear plans are peaceful.

"If sanctions intensify we will stop exporting oil," Iranian oil minister Rostam Qasemi told reporters in Dubai.

Qasemi's statement is the latest in a series of threats of retaliation by Tehran in response to the sanctions, which have heightened political tensions across the Middle East and, analysts say, led to a sharp drop in Iranian oil exports.

"We have prepared a plan to run the country without any oil revenues," Qasemi said, adding, "So far to date we haven't had any serious problems, but if the sanctions were to be renewed we would go for 'Plan B'.

"If you continue to add to the sanctions we (will) cut our oil exports to the world... We are hopeful that this doesn't happen, because citizens will suffer. We don't want to see European and U.S. citizens suffer," he said, adding that the loss of Iranian oil on the market would drive up oil prices.

[visionary]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/25/uk-reject-us-request-bases-iran?CMP=twt_gu

Britain rejects US request to use UK bases in nuclear standoff with Iran

Britain has rebuffed US pleas to use military bases in the UK to support the build-up of forces in the Gulf, citing secret legal advice which states that any pre-emptive strike on Iran could be in breach of international law.

The Guardian has been told that US diplomats have also lobbied for the use of British bases in Cyprus, and for permission to fly from US bases on Ascension Island in the Atlantic and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, both of which are British territories.

The US approaches are part of contingency planning over the nuclear standoff with Tehran, but British ministers have so far reacted coolly. They have pointed US officials to legal advice drafted by the attorney general's office which has been circulated to Downing Street, the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence.

This makes clear that Iran, which has consistently denied it has plans to develop a nuclear weapon, does not currently represent "a clear and present threat". Providing assistance to forces that could be involved in a pre-emptive strike would be a clear breach of international law, it states.

"The UK would be in breach of international law if it facilitated what amounted to a pre-emptive strike on Iran," said a senior Whitehall source. "It is explicit. The government has been using this to push back against the Americans."

[visionary]

https://twitter.com/Reuters

Iran fired on unarmed U.S. drone on November 1 over international airspace, didn't hit aircraft - Pentagon

2:37 PM

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/08/first-on-cnn-iranian-jets-fire-on-u-s-drone/

FIRST ON CNN: Iranian jets fire on U.S. drone

Two Iranian Su-25 fighter jets fired on an unarmed U.S. Air Force Predator drone in the Persian Gulf last week, CNN has learned.

The incident raises fresh concerns within the Obama administration about Iranian military aggression in crucial Gulf oil shipping lanes.

The drone was in international airspace east of Kuwait, U.S. officials said, adding it was engaged in routine maritime surveillance.

Although the drone was not hit, the Pentagon is concerned.

Two U.S. officials explained the jets were part of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps force, which has been more confrontational than regular Iranian military forces.

The Obama administration did not disclose the incident, which occurred just days before the presidential election on November 1, but three senior officials confirmed the details to CNN.

[AsburySkinsFan]

https://twitter.com/Reuters

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/08/first-on-cnn-iranian-jets-fire-on-u-s-drone/

Soooooo, their air force can't hit an unmanned drone.....Top Gun material.

[JMS]

It really sounds like the sanctions are crippling. I think they are in full effect now as they were staged to go in progressively. I hope they give them time to work it does seem like Iran's starting to crack.

[pjfootballer]

Like Iraq's "Imperial Guard," I bet Iran's "Revolutionary Guard Corps Force" are 10 fighter jets and donkey.

[visionary]

http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/08/mending-fences-with-obama-israel-says-it-follows-u-s-lead-on-iran/

Mending fences with Obama: Israel says it follows U.S. lead on Iran

Israel is signaling a major change in tone toward U.S. President Barack Obama now that he has won reelection.

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Thursday, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon, gave what could only be described as a ringing endorsement of the Obama administration’s handling of Iran’s nuclear program. It has been a very contentious issue between the two allies, with the U.S. fearing Israel might unilaterally strike Iran’s nuclear sites and drag the U.S. into an regional war.

But Ayalon told Amanpour that despite past differences with the Obama administration over Iran, “I think today we can safely say that we are very much on the same page and will continue to follow the lead of the U.S.”

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/17/us-iran-usa-idUSBRE8AG0F320121117

U.S. denies visas to Iran officials for U.N. meeting: report

The United States has denied visas to Iranian officials hoping to attend a U.N. meeting in New York, Iran's state news agency reported on Saturday.

The Iranian judiciary's Human Rights Headquarters said in a statement that the United States denied visas to members of an Iranian delegation that planned to travel to a meeting of the United Nations' Third Committee, which focuses on social issues and human rights, state news agency IRNA said.

"The U.S. government, by not issuing visas to the members of the delegation, wants to ruin the possibility of the presence of the delegation, and prevent its members from conducting their mission of interacting and cooperating with the United Nations," said the statement, according to IRNA.

The judiciary body urged U.N. officials to warn the United States against such decisions and remind it of its obligations as U.N. host country, IRNA reported. It did not say how many Iranian officials had applied for visas from the United States or when they wanted to travel.

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/02/us-iran-drones-idUSBRE9010EV20130102

Iran says captures two U.S.-made miniature surveillance drones

Iran has captured two miniature U.S.-made surveillance drones over the past 17 months, Iranian media reported on Wednesday.

Several drone incidents over the past year have highlighted tension in the Gulf as Iran and the United States flex their military capabilities in the vital oil exporting region in a standoff over Iran's disputed nuclear program.

The lightweight RQ11 Raven drones were brought down by Iranian air defense units in separate incidents in August 2011 and November 2012, Rear Admiral Amir Rastegari told Fars news agency.

"Much of the data of these drones has been decoded by the Army's jihad and research center," he said, without elaborating.

[Hubbs]

"Much of the data of these drones has been decoded by the Army's jihad and research center," he said, without elaborating.

Ah yes, the ol' "jihad and research" center. They go together like lamb and tuna fish.