Iran rejects accusations against banks

Iran brushed aside accusations by France, Britain and the United States that its banks were involved in illegal nuclear activity.Earlier this month, Britain, France and the US warned in a letter to the Security Council against 'Iran's continued attempts to conduct prohibited proliferation-related activity'.
The three Western countries argued that Iranian banks were trying to get around sanctions by covertly conducting transactions. Iran rejected the charge in a letter to the Council on Friday, saying Iranian banks 'have never been involved in any illicit activities including in non-peaceful nuclear activities -- simply because there are no such non-peaceful nuclear activities in Iran'. It termed the allegation that the banks were involved in illegal activities as "baseless and absurd," saying it was "a malicious attempt to unjustifiably dissuade others from dealing with Iranian banks..." "The attempt by the three countries to restriction of the activities of the Iranian banks is intended not only to exert undue pressure on the Iranian government, but also to disrupt the banking and financial affairs of millions of their clients," Iran's deputy ambassador Mehdi Danesh-Yazdi said in the letter.

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei here on Tuesday inspected the latest achievements of Iranians scientists and experts.
Some new 51 scientific and technological projects in various scientific fields were on display at Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh in Tehran.
In some cases, the fields had been under the monopoly of certain specific countries.
The exhibition demonstrates the capabilities of Iranian scientists and experts in nanotechnology, bio-technology, micro-electronic, telecommunications and Information Technology (IT), new energy, aviation, herbal medicine, traditional medication, nuclear sciences and stem cells.
During his three-hour inspection, the Supreme Leader called for removal of bureaucracy to help facilitate development by the country's talented people.
The Supreme Leader also called for timely dissemination of news and information about scientific fields to meet public demands.

Ahmadinejad says US should stop threats, ultimatums

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Monday that US politicians will suffer if they pursue their 50-year policy and if they want to cooperate with Iranian nation they should set aside threats and ultimatums.
In an interview with US NBC TV, Ahmadinejad said, "All the world people and thinkers are unhappy and dissatisfied with the world conditions today because the conditions are not in favor of man's dignity and status. And today, horror, hostility, discrimination and injustice have cast their shadow on human community. Naturally, under such conditions, those pity mankind and are interested in a prosperous life, peace and welfare for mankind should make efforts to change the status quo." He said that to change present conditions it is required to identify the root causes of problems. "Materialistic attitude towards the world and human beings, unilateralism, hegemony and alienation with teachings of prophets and with humanitarian values are the root causes of present conditions worldwide." Details on the interview will follow.

Ahmadinejad: Iran moving forward

The Islamic Republic of Iran is growing more powerful and making headway day by day, says the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he pointed to the nuclear talks held between Iran and the Group 5+1 in Geneva on Saturday and said, "Every round of talks is a step forward." The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili and the EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana held a new round of talks aimed at resolving the outstanding issues over Tehran's nuclear activities. Solana was accompanied in the talks by representatives from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - China, Russia, France, Britain and the US - plus Germany. Also present at the talks for the first time was the third highest ranking US State Department official, William J. Burns. President Ahmadinejad termed the Saturday talks between Iran and the G5+1 representatives a step forward in the interaction between the two sides.

Israel releases five Lebanese prisoners

Samir Kuntar and four other Lebanese prisoners have arrived in Lebanon as part of a prisoner swap between Hezbollah and Israel. The prisoners had been waiting at an army base, several kilometers south of Israel's border with Lebanon, for most of the day, ahead of their transfer to Lebanon. The men who were brought home in International Committee for the Red Cross vehicles received a red carpet welcome at Naqura coastal border town. Hezbollah officials along with hundreds of people welcomed the men upon their arrival Wednesday afternoon. Samir Kuntar, the longest serving Arab prisoner in Israel, was detained about thirty years ago while he was only 16. Earlier, Lebanon's Hezbollah had handed over the bodies of two Israeli soldiers, in exchange for Kuntar, Khadher Zeidan, Mohammed Srour, Hussein Sulaiman and Maher Kurani. "Today we hand over Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev," Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa said at the Naqura border crossing. Israeli defense officials, meanwhile, say forensic experts have identified the remains of the two soldiers, delivered earlier in the day.

Ahmadinejad: US lies about Iran

Iran's President Ahmadinejad says the US claim that Iran poses a threat to the Persian Gulf states is nothing but a meaningless lie. “Iran's stance toward its neighboring countries is one of leniency and mutual respect,” said Mahmoud Ahmadinejad while addressing a meeting of the country's envoys to the Persian Gulf states. Ahmadinejad added that the US was pressuring the Persian Gulf countries to rethink their close ties with Iran. The Iranian president also said that the necessary preparations had to be made for 'a world after the fall of the American empire', predicting that 'the US hegemony in the Middle East' would soon come to an end. Ahmadinejad's comments come as speculations grow about a possible conflict between Israel and Iran, following an Israeli maneuver off the shores of the Mediterranean in early June, and the more recent Iranian missile tests.

Israel given amber light for Iran war

A Pentagon official says the US president has given the 'amber light' to an Israeli plan to attack Iran with long-range bombing sorties. The senior Pentagon official told The Sunday Times that despite widespread opposition in the US administration President George W. Bush had informed Israel he may be prepared to approve a military strike on Iran's nuclear sites. "Amber means get on with your preparations, stand by for immediate attack and tell us when you're ready,"
said the official. However, the Pentagon official said 'amber will never turn to green' if Israel does not present Bush with a 'solid' military proposal. Referring to the upcoming US presidential elections he suggested that Israel should not wait to act against Iran. The official also confirmed that the Bush administration would not attack Iran but added that President Bush is concerned about the nuclear threat against Israel and that he does not believe in 'anything but force to deter Iran'. "It's really all down to the Israelis. This administration will not attack Iran. This has already been decided," he stated. The source said the men in uniform are opposed to a military strike against Iran and are concerned about endangering US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tehran warned earlier that Iranian Armed Forces would target the heart of Israel and 32 US bases before the dust settles from an attack on the country. The remarks by the Pentagon official comes amid escalating speculation that Israel is preparing to launch a military strike on Iran with the help of US President George W. Bush before the end of his term in office. According to a New York Times report, Israel staged a military maneuver in early June to prepare for an airborne strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Earlier in the week, in response to rising threats from Israel and the US, the IRGC test-fired nine state-of-the-art long and medium-range missiles to demonstrate the country's defensive military capabilities.

Iran test-fires surface-to-sea missile

Iran has test-fired surface-to-sea missiles over the Persian Gulf during a military maneuver code-named the Great Prophet III. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) successfully test-fired the missiles with a range of 350 kilometers during its large-scale military maneuver on Thursday the Fars News Agency reported on Friday. On Thursday, IRGC forces also test fired the 'Hoot Torpedo', which "only two world countries are capable of building." The IRGC also fired nine long and medium range missiles on Wednesday. IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad-Ali Jafari said on Thursday that the recent military exercise was aimed at showing the nation's military might to the enemies and improving the Iranian readiness for a rapid and powerful reaction to threats. The military maneuvers are underway amid reports that the US and Israel might launch a military attack against Iran over its nuclear program.

Iran successfully tests long-range missile

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has successfully test-fired new long and mid-range missiles in response to threats coming from US and Israel. The IRGC tested the Shahab 3 missile, which can hit any targets within a range of 2,000 kilometers on the second day of a military exercise dubbed The Great Prophet III. Shahab 3 is equipped with a one-ton conventional warhead. Nine highly advanced missiles with improved accuracy were simultaneously tested including the Zelzal and Fateh missiles with ranges of 400km and 170km respectively . The Great Prophet III is a joint maneuver carried out by the IRGC naval and ground forces in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz region. Press TV correspondent reporting from the site of the maneuver says the missiles could strike any target within the specified range regardless of climate conditions or the time. IRGC Naval Commander Morteza Saffari said various missile, rocket and torpedo launchers as well as military vessels and land-to-sea missiles were tested during the exercise. "The IRGC Navy is carrying out this maneuver to show it is fully prepared to counter any possible enemy aggression or adventurism," said Saffari. "The maneuver also sends out a reassuring message to regional countries that together we can secure the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz without the presence of foreign forces," he added. Meanwhile, IRGC Air Force Commander Hossein Salami told Press TV that the aim of the exercise was to demonstrate 'just how strong-willed the Islamic Republic is in defending its sovereignty against any challenges by those enemies that have used harsh and threatening words against Iran in recent weeks.' The IRGC is conducting the maneuver amid growing speculation about a possible Israeli military strike against Iran. Israeli military conducted a Mediterranean maneuver last month -- an apparent rehearsal for a potential attack on Iran's nuclear sites.

US relocates warship after Iran warning

The Pentagon has moved an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf after Iran warned US ships would come under fire if they attack the country. A US Navy official speaking on condition of anonymity said Tuesday that the US Naval Forces Central Command moved the USS Abraham Lincoln to the Arabian Sea. "This is not a move in preparation for an attack on Iran. We're simply repositioning the capabilities to support the commanders on the ground down there," AFP quoted the unnamed official as saying. The announcement came shortly after Iran warned Tuesday that should Israel and the US attack the country, they would end up burning in the flames of the fire they ignited. "If Washington and Tel Aviv are foolish enough to even consider attacking Iran, our initial response would be to target Israel and set the US navy in the Persian Gulf ablaze," said the Leader's representative to the IRGC naval forces Ali Shirazi. This is while Washington and Tel Aviv continue to beat the drums of war against Iran over its nuclear program, accusing the country of developing a nuclear bomb. Tel Aviv has threatened Tehran with the use of force should the Islamic Republic continue uranium enrichment. According to a New York Times report, Israel staged a military maneuver in early June to prepare for a unilateral air strike on Iranian nuclear sites. Tehran insists its nuclear program is directed at generating electricity and is in line with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (IRGC ). The most recent IRGC nuclear watchdog report concluded that there is no link between the use of nuclear material and the 'alleged studies' of weaponization in Iranian nuclear facilities.

Ahmadinejad: Americans not after democracy, human rights in region

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that the US military expedition to the region is for oil and they are not after establishing democracy and human rights in the region.
President Ahmadinejad made the remarks while answering questions posed by Malaysian official news agency (BERNAMA) and its state television.
The interview is expected to be broadcast on Monday night at Malaysia's local time.
A reporter asked, "The West believes that you are not in line with their goals and your tone has always been negative." The president replied that the Iranian nation does not recognize the orders of the global arrogance and strongly deals with the one-sided system which is based on safeguarding the interests of some bullying powers.
The new world order has brought hatred, war and discriminations, said the Iranian president.
"They wish to revive the slavery era but the world has changed and we should take into consideration nations' interests," he said.

To resolve current problems in the region, he said those who have occupied the region should pull out their forces and respect the rights of nations.
They should let nations in the region make their own decision and administer their own affairs, he underlined.
On soaring oil prices in the world, he said the issue has roots in the unjust policies of the global arrogance.
President Ahmadinejad highlighted the significant role of D8 in global economy and said the member states could help remove existing problems in energy sector across the globe.
The Iranian president arrived in Kuala Lumpur earlier in the day to attend the sixth Summit of the Eight Islamic Developing Countries (D8) where he is expected to deliver a speech on Tuesday.

Iran & G5+1 common points good base for fresh talks: Patrochev

Newly-appointed Secretary of the Russian National Security Council Nicholas Patrochev said in a telephone conversation Monday with his Iranian counterpart Saeed Jalili that common points of Iranian and G5+1 packages of proposals provided a good base to launch new round of talks.
Expressing pleasure with the progress of talks between Jalili and EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, he also said that Russia supports resumption of talks based on the common points of the two sides' packages and constructive steps to that effect.
"New round of talks can benefit all parties," Patrochev said, hoping that dialogue will begin at the earliest with a positive attitude.
Welcoming expansion of cooperation between the two countries, he also called for regular talks between the secretaries of Iranian and Russian supreme national security councils.
Jalili, for his part, briefed his Russian counterpart on the latest developments as well as agreements reached with Solana and appreciated Russia for its constructive approach towards nuclear talks.
Referring to the positive dialogues held with the ministers of China, Germany and Japan as well as Solana, Jalili also hoped that new round of talks will be coupled with innovation, creativity and win-win situation.

Iran arms IRGC with smart munitions

Katyusha rocketsIran has started to arm the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps artillery with state-of-the-art smart munitions and cluster shells. Iran's advanced ammunition will be used to protect Iranian territory, said commander of the IRGC missile systems Brigadier General Mahmoud Chaharbaghi. "Fajr 3 and Fajr 5 long-range rocket launchers along with Zalzal rockets with a range of 150 kilometers are among the high-tech military equipment the IRGC will employ," Gen. Chaharbaghi said. The top IRGC commander added that Iran has launched a production line for smart munitions, which can hit small mobile targets, and long-range cluster shells. “IRGC artilleries across the country are currently equipped with 130, 150, DC122 heavy cannons and powerful Katyusha rockets," Gen. Chaharbaghi said. He concluded that in the event of an attack on the country, IRGC forces would 'overwhelm invaders with their fire power'.