Monday, April 17, 2006

Regional Aspirations of Iran: Mon. 17 Apr.

INTERNATIONAL

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (C) is seen through an aquarium as he talks to the Scientific Museum's Chairman Mijbil Al-Mutawa (R) in Kuwait April 17, 2006. Iran will continue to enrich uranium, Rafsanjani said on Monday, as concerns grow over possible U.S. military action against Tehran's nuclear programme. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
COMMENTLINE
Presented once again for your inspection, a summary of the latest international tensions courtesy of Iran.

In this edition:

Some question Iran's claims about its nuclear ability. In the past Iran has understated nuclear activities that were later discovered, and overstated its capabilities.

The U.S. says the Iranian government has stepped up efforts to illegally acquire weapons and parts.

Oil prices jump to $70, gold to $606 and silver to $13 on Iran tensions.

NEWSLINE
Federal agents say that as tensions increase over Tehran's alleged nuclear weapons program, so does the concern that Iran might strike at U.S. forces and personnel stationed in Iraq and other countries if the United States or its allies take military action against that program.

NEWSBYTES
New Worry Rises After Iran Claims Nuclear Steps
(NYT) -- Of all the claims that Iran made last week about its nuclear program, a one-sentence assertion by its president has provoked such surprise and concern among international nuclear inspectors they are planning to confront Tehran about it this week.

Iran Has Raised Efforts to Obtain U.S. Arms Illegally, Officials Say
LOS ANGELES (www.washingtonpost.com) -- The Iranian government has intensified efforts to illegally obtain weapons technology from the United States, contracting with dealers across the country for spare parts to maintain its aging American-made air force planes, its missile forces and its alleged nuclear weapons program, according to federal law enforcement authorities.

Iran to continue enriching uranium: Rafsanjani
KUWAIT (Reuters) -- Iran will continue to enrich uranium, influential former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Monday, as concerns grow over possible U.S. military action against Tehran's nuclear program.

Iran tension sends oil past $70
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil leapt to $70 a barrel for the first time in seven and a half months on Monday, extending strong gains made last week as tension mounted between Iran and the West over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Read more.

Crude Oil Futures Hit $70 a Barrel
LONDON - Crude oil futures hit $70 a barrel for the first time in seven-and-a-half months Monday, pushed higher by concerns over declining gasoline stocks in the U.S., supply disruptions in Nigeria and tension over
Iran' nuclear program.

Gold storms to new 25-yr high, silver surges
TOKYO (Reuters) -- Gold surged to a new 25-year high on Monday, buoyed by concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions and surges in oil prices, while silver powered to its highest since May 1983 on hopes for the first silver exchange-traded fund.

US senators back talks with Iran
(www.Aljazeera.Net) -- Richard Lugar, the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has urged the United States to take up direct negotiations with Iran to resolve the deadlock over Tehran's nuclear programme.

RELATED
Iran to Give Palestinians $50 Million Aid
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran said Sunday it would give the Palestinian Authority $50 million in aid, moving in for the first time with money after the United States and Europe cut off funding to the Hamas-led government.

Iranians volunteer for "martyrdom missions"
TEHRAN (Reuters) -- Some 200 Iranians have volunteered in the past few days to carry out "martyrdom missions" against U.S. and British interests if Iran is attacked over its nuclear program, a hardline group said on Sunday.

ALSO SEE
Glance at Nuclear Weapons Countries

RESOURCES
Chronology of the Iran Nuclear Standoff
Iran's key nuclear sites
Q&A: IRAN: Iran's Multifaceted Foreign Policy

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