Prior To Revolution Day, Iran Presents New Military Developments

On the eve of Revolution Day, February 11, Iran presented a domestically made experimental stealth aircraft and inaugurated production lines for Raad drones for attack missions and Nazir drones for intelligence missions, as well as a production line for the Toufan-5 armor-penetrating missile and the Qaem laser-guided anti-helicopter missile.

An Iranian Air Force official reported on the development of antiaircraft missiles that are superior to the Russian S-300, which will be operational soon.

A senior official in the land branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Nasser Arab-Beigi, said that Iran has a variety of missiles that will surprise the U.S. and that will give a crushing response to its tanks if it attacks Iran.

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that Iran sees its defense abilities as belonging to the Islamic ummah.

Source: Dolat.ir, Mehr, Iran, February 8, 2010; ILNA, Iran, February 7, 2010; Fars, Iran, February 2 and 6, 2010

In Iran, Karroubi's Party Calls For Referendum

In advance of Revolution Day in Iran, February 11, Etemad-e Melli, the party of protest movement leader Mehdi Karroubi, has called for a referendum on fundamental issues, freedom of the press, and a halt to the involvement of religious and security circles in politics.

The party called on its supporters to refrain from violence during the Revolution Day marches.

It was reported that in advance of Revolution Day, the regime has arrested dozens of journalists, and that it is continuing to carry out mass arrests.

Source: Kaleme, Iran, February 7, 2010; Sahamnews, Iran, February 6, 2010

Khamenei To Palestinian Islamic Jihad Leader: Israel Is Sinking Rapidly

At a Tehran meeting with Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ramadan Abdallah Shelah and other officials from the organization, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that Israel is in a rapid decline, and expressed hope for its final elimination.

He praised the Palestinian resistance, which he promised to support, and said that Israel's failure to take over Gaza despite its military advantage was a miracle.

Preparatory Meeting in Iran to Discuss Border Issues with Iraq

Iraqi Border Guard on Iranian border

An Iraqi delegation chaired by Arshad Tawfiq, director of the legal department in the Iraqi foreign ministry, has arrived in Tehran on Friday for a two-day preparatory meeting of the joint technical commission that would review issues related to the borders between the two countries.

The meetings of the technical commission are scheduled to be held in Iranian cities.

Source: www.darabeen.com, February 6, 2010

Ahmadinejad: I Have Ordered to Start Enriching Uranium to 20%

At a conference on Iran's achievements in laser technology, President Ahmadinejad announced that he had instructed the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, to begin enriching uranium to 20%. He added that Iran had attained laser technology that enabled it to enrich uranium to any level, but that at present there was no intention to use this technology. About the uranium exchange deal with the West, he said that this option was still on the table, as long as the deal involved no preconditions.

For previous Iranian statements regarding achievements in the field of laser enrichment, see MEMRI Blog report, March 3, 2007.

Source: Fars, ILNA (Iran), February 7, 2010

Iranian Daily: The U.S., Iraqi Ba'th Party behind Iraq Bombings

The Iranian daily Jomhouri-ye Eslami stated that the U.S. and the Sunni Ba'th Party in Iraq perpetrated the recent bombings in this country, in order to demonstrate the impotence of the Shi'ite Iraqi government and the necessity of bringing the Ba'th back to power. The daily added that in Iraq, as in Afghanistan, the Americans negotiate with terrorist groups in order to further their aims.

Source: Jomhouri-ye Eslami (Iran), February 7, 2010

In Friday Sermon, Ayatollah Emami-Kashani Calls For Unity In Islamic Revolution Day Rally

In his sermon today, Tehran interim Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Mohammad Emami-Kashani, Tehran's interim Friday Prayers called for the manifestation of "unity" in the upcoming annual rally on February 11 that will mark the 31st anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Emami-Kashani said that those participating in the upcoming event should distance themselves from those chanting anti-government slogans.

"Some individuals may try to infiltrate into the lines of people by chanting deviant slogans," Ayatollah Kashani said, and added that people must remain vigilant.

Cartoon In Rooz Daily: Iranian Space-Launch Rat, Turtle, Worm Call On Ahmadinejad To Join Them And Make The World Happy

(see Iran Launches Satellite Carrier, Live Organisms Into Space, Marks Developments In Space Technology; Ahmadinejad: Iranian Scientists Can Conquer Skies)

Cartoonist: Nikahang Kowsar

Source: Rooz, Iran, February 4, 2010

Iran's Russian Ambassador: Russia Guarantees Delivery Of S-300 Missile Defense System

Russia's S-300 missile defense system

Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mahmoud Reza Sabahi says that Moscow has guaranteed that it will deliver the S-300 missile defense system to Iran, as promised.

"Iran is ready to receive this system and our Russian colleagues have assured us that they will meet their obligations," Sabahi said at a press conference in Moscow yesterday.

Moscow signed a contract to transfer the systems in 2007.

Sources: Mehr, Press TV, Iran, February 5, 2010

Iran FM In Ankara: We're Pleased With Closer Iran-Turkey Relations

During a meeting in Ankara with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that his country was pleased with the desire for closer Iran-Turkey relations and with the cooperation between them on regional and international issues.

He added that the trade between them in the next five years would reach $30 billion.

Gul called on the West to recognize Iran's importance in resolving the crisis in Afghanistan.

Source: Fars, Iran, February 4, 2010

Iranian COS: U.S. Deployment Of Patriot Missiles In Gulf Is Pointless; U.S. Waging Psychological Warfare

Iranian armed forces chief of staff Maj.-Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi has said that the deployment of Patriot missiles in the Persian Gulf is pointless, because Iran is capable of rendering them useless with simple countermeasures.

He advised the Gulf states not to waste their money on such weaponry.

He said that the U.S. is trying to wage psychological warfare against Iran by deploying the missiles, and that the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama is encouraging the Gulf states to buy overpriced military hardware by spreading Iranophobia in the region.

Calling the move a "new plot" by the U.S. to plunder the Arab countries' treasuries, he added that the U.S. has been installing the missiles for years and that "we know their locations."

Sources: Fars, Iran, February 5, 2010; Press TV, Iran, February 4, 2010

Article In IRGC Weekly: Taliban Returning To Power – A Danger To Iraq

An article in Sobh-e Sadeq, the weekly of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), stated that under the new policy in Afghanistan, the U.S. and Britain are acting to restore the Taliban to power in the country, and that the path to doing so was paved at the January 28 conference in London on Afghanistan.

The article adds that this move harms Iran's security, and that Iran will not remain indifferent.

Source: Sobh-e Sadeq, Iran, February 1, 2010

'Kayhan': Ba'th Party's Rise In Iraq Will Undermine Region's Stability

The Iranian daily Kayhan, which is close to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stated that the U.S., England, and Saudi Arabia are plotting a coup in Iraq so as to reinstate the Ba'th party of the Sunni minority as the country's rulers, and to distance Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, from the "resistance" front headed by Iran.

The newspaper stated that Al-Maliki and Iraq's other senior officials, both Shi'ite and Sunni, understood that Iran is the most solid support in the Middle East, and warned that a return of the Ba'th would undermine regional stability.

Source: Kayhan, Iran, February 4, 2010

Qatari Crown Prince: Iran Is Strategic Force In Region

During a meeting in Tehran with Qatar's crown prince, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran and Qatar had common interests and a common understanding of the plots of the enemies.

Ahmadinejad said that the developments in Lebanon and Yemen, and in the Palestinian arena, were the basis for expanding cooperation between the two countries.

Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani said that Qatar sees Iran as a strategic force in the region, and is acting so that all Arab countries will recognize it as such.

Sourcee: Al-Khaleej, UAE, February 3, 2010; ISNA, Iran, February 2, 2010

Bahrain: Gulf States Have Right To Self Defense

Following the deployment of several Patriot missile batteries in the Gulf states, and threats by Iran that it will attack these states if it is attacked by the U.S., Bahraini Foreign Minister Khaled bin Ahmad Aal Khalifa said that the missiles were for self defense only.

Nabil ibn Yaqoub Al-Hamer, media advisor to Bahrain's king, said that the Gulf countries had the right to defend itself against any attack, and expressed amazement at the reaction of Iran, which possesses the most advanced attack weaponry that covers all the Gulf states.

Source: Alarabiya.net; Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, February 4, 2010

Ahmadinejad: We're Ready For Nuclear Deal; U.S. Missile Deployment Is Routine

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a television interview that his country was not opposed to a uranium exchange deal outside its territory, but did not refer to the dispute with the West regarding the quantity of enriched uranium that Tehran was willing to exchange.

He downplayed the U.S.'s deployment of missile systems in the Gulf, explaining that this was a routine matter and that his country has no apprehensions about it, because no country would dare attack Iran.

Iranian Atomic Energy Organization head Ali Akbar Salehi said that Iran was discussing the exchange deal with France, Brazil, and another Asian country. Russia and Britain welcomed Iran's agreement to a deal.

Sources: Fars, ILNA, Mehr, Iran, February 3, 2010

Iranian DM: Enemies, Friends Full Of Wonder At Iran's Space Success – Gained By Following Khamenei's Guidelines

Iranian Defense Minister Brig.-Gen. Ahmad Vahidi today said in Tehran that Iran's achievements in space technology had surprised the country's enemies and friends alike.

He made the remarks during the inaugural ceremony of Iran's space achievements in the presence of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran Unveils New Satellites, Carrier

Iran today unveiled three new satellites and a satellite carrier, a year after it placed its first domestic research satellite into orbit. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iranian Defense Minister Brig.-Gen Ahmad Vahidi.

The three satellites – Tolou, Mesbah 2, and Navid – are telecommunication satellites and were domestically designed and produced.

Iranian Leader Calls For Scientific Leap

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei yesterday underlined the necessity for stronger efforts by Iranian elites and scholars to promote the country's scientific level.

"The outstanding progresses made during the last three decades are not satisfactory, and we are standing at a far distance from the world's scientific peaks," Khamenei said, addressing a large congregation of university deans and authorities here in Tehran.

"Closing this gap requires doubled, continued and inexhaustible efforts by the (Iranian) elites, scientists, intellectuals and university students," the Supreme Leader advised.

Iranian DM Calls For Collective Security In Region

Iranian Defense Minister Brig.-Gen. Ahmad Vahidi yesterday called for all-out cooperation among the Persian Gulf littoral states to establish regional security.

"Establishment of collective security is the pattern desired by the Islamic Republic of Iran," Vahidi said at a meeting with Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in Tehran.

On Eve Of Islamic Revolution Day In Iran, Moussavi, Karroubi Criticize Regime

In advance of the parades planned for Islamic Revolution Day in Iran, February 11, protest movement leader Mir Hossein Mousavi attacked the signs of tyranny by the regime.

He pointed at the lack of independence of the judicial and legislative authorities, the sweeping censorship, the mass arrests, and the killing of innocent citizens, and called on the regime to refrain from violence towards the supporters of the Green (Protest) Movement.

Mehdi Karroubi, another protest movement leader, called on the senior clerics in the country to join the people's protest before it is too late, and stated that the repression and the executions will not solve the crisis.

Under Regime Pressure, Iranian Daily To Change Its Logo

Circles close to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are demanding that the Iranian daily Tehran-e Emrooz change its logo, which is in the form of a ballet dancer, symbolizing the cultural struggle against the regime.

The paper's manager announced that he did intend to change the logo.

It should be noted that the circulation of the paper was permitted several months ago, after it was shut down for insulting Ahmadinejad.

Sources: Fararu, Iran, February 1, 2010; Fardanews, Iran, January 31, 2010; Parto-ye Sokhan, Iran, January 6, 2010

In Lebanon, Public Figures, Intellectuals Express Support Iranian Opposition

In Lebanon, a group of 90 former MPs, senior journalists, and artists announced its support for the Iranian opposition and for its struggle.

The group called for the implementation of the values of freedom, democracy, and pluralism, and for the abolition of the tyranny and repression in Iran.

Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Lebanon, February 3, 2010

Iranian Ambassador in Qatar: We'll Attack Anyone Who Enables U.S. To Attack Us

At a press conference in Qatar, Iranian Ambassador to Qatar Abdollah Sohrabi has threatened that Iran will sow fear and despair and will teach the U.S. an unforgettable lesson if it attacks Iran.

He warned that the Gulf states will be attacked if they enable the U.S. to attack Iran from their soil.

Source: Al-Watan, Qatar, February 1, 2010

Iran Launches Satellite Carrier, Live Organisms Into Space, Marks Developments In Space Technology; Ahmadinejad: Iranian Scientists Can Conquer Skies

Live transmission from the Kavoshgar 3 launch

Kavoshgar 3 being transported to launch pad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the launch of a live organism (according to the Iranian Aerospace Organization, they included a rat, two turtles, and some worms) into space today, as part of the test of the Kavoshgar 3 satellite launcher, is a prelude to the launch of Iranian astronauts into space, and added that the skies can be conquered by Iranian scientists.

Iranian Judiciary Official: Soon Nine More Demonstrators Will Be Executed

Iranian Judiciary deputy head Ebrahim Raesi has said that soon nine demonstrators whose cases have not yet been discussed in court would be executed, after two of their comrades had already been executed.

He added that the file against the children of Hashemi Rafsanjani, who were among the leaders of the protests, had been sent on to the prosecutor-general, and that they would not receive preferred treatment.

Source: Fars, Iran, February 2, 2010

Iranian Weekly: Revolution Day A Test Of Loyalty For Protest Leaders

An article in Sobh-e Sadeq, the weekly of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), stated that for the leaders of the protest movement , Iran's Revolution Day, February 11, would be a test of loyalty to the people and to the regime.

He said that these leaders had to renounce the demonstrators before all paths were closed to them.

The Iranian daily Javan, which is close to the IRGC, stated that the protest leaders had ordered their supporters to come from across the land to Tehran to demonstrate on Revolution Day.

Sources: Javan, Sobh-e Sadeq, Iran, February 1, 2010

Iranian FM: Our Response To Attack Will Be Destructive

At a conference marking the anniversary of the Islamic regime in Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Ahmad Vahidi presented Iran-developed electronic fighting systems, and noted that Iran's response to any threat would be crushing and destructive.

Iranian land forces official Nasser Arab Bigi presented domestically developed anti-helicopter and anti-tank weapons, and warned that the American Apache helicopters would not be immune in Iran as they were in Iraq.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast, referring to the Gulf states' agreement for deploying American anti-missile batteries on their soil, said that Iran's connections with the countries in the region were very good.

Sources: Mehr, Iran, February 2, 2010; Fars, Iran, February 1, 2010

Iranian Submarines in Eritrea to Supply Houthis

Eritrean sources in London have disclosed that two Iranian submarines are currently moored in the Eritrean port of Masou' to bring weapons and supplies to be carried overland to the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Eritrea is already under U.S. sanctions for supported extremist groups in Somalia.

Source: Al-Zaman, Iraq, February 2, 2010

Larijani: Islamic Countries Should Have Nuclear Technology

Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said today that the Islamic countries should possess technology to produce nuclear energy.

Larijani made the remarks upon his arrival at Mehrabad airport in Tehran, from attending the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Uganda to voice Iran’s stand on securing Muslims’ legitimate rights worldwide to produce nuclear energy in line with the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union passed a resolution to acknowledge the rights of the Islamic states enshrined by the Charter of the International Atomic Energy Agency to produce nuclear energy for civilian uses.

Larijani told the reporters that it is legitimate a right of every Islamic state to possess the technological knowhow to set up fuel cycle for nuclear power plants.

Source: IRNA, Iran, February 1, 2010

Iran Manufactures Its First Unmanned Helicopter

Researchers from Iran’s Amir Kabir University of Technology have successfully manufactured the country’s first light unmanned helicopter.

The helicopter weighs 10 kg and can fly for one hour on airplane fuel. It is remotely operated, and the researchers have planned to equip it with an automatic system.

The helicopter could be used for transmission of information, taking photos and films of oil, gas, oil platforms, pipelines, intercity traffic, traffic control, and firefighting.

Source: IRNA, Iran, February 1, 2010

Ahmadinejad: 'Iran Will Deliver Telling Blow To Global Powers On February 11'

According to the Iranian Press TV, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that Iran will deliver a harsh blow to the "global arrogance" on this year's Islamic Revolutoin anniversary.

"The Islamic Revolution opened a window to liberty for the human race, which was trapped in the dead ends of materialism," Ahmadinejad said during a cabinet meeting yesterday.

"If the Islamic Revolution had not occurred, liberalism and Marxism would have crushed all human dignity in their power-seeking and money-grubbing claws. Nothing would have remained of human and spiritual principles," he added.

Report: Iran Builds Air, Coast Command-and-Control Defense Systems

According to the Iranian news agency Fars, Iran announced today that it has managed to build air and coast command-and-control defense systems, following its great tactical and strategic achievements, especially in the production of defensive tools and equipment.

Iranian Defense Minister Brig.-Gen. Ahmad Vahidi declared the success during a ceremony to inaugurate 36 electronic and communications projects of the ministry to mark the launch of the "Ten-Day Dawn" ceremonies celebrating the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979.

Iranian Daily: We'll Strike Qatar, Bahrain, And UAE – Not Only U.S. Forces

The conservative Iranian daily Qudsdaily said that if it is attacked, Iran would immediately strike the Gulf countries, not only U.S. forces on their soil.

The paper warned Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAD that their hosting of the U.S. forces is a "dangerous game" against Iran and that the immediate results would be harsher than they could bear.

Source: Qudsdaily, Iran, February 1, 2010

Qaddafi: Libya – Home To Iranians

During a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, at an African Union conference in Ethiopia, Libyan Leader Mu'ammar Qaddafi said that Libya was home to the Iranians, and that cooperation between the two countries was extremely important.

It was also reported that an Iranian economic delegation is expected to visit Uganda in order to advance economic relations between the two countries.

Source: IRNA, Iran, February 1, 2010

Iranian Daily: West Using Taliban To Threaten Iran

The Iranian daily Jomhouri-e Eslami stated that the reason for the positive direction taken by the West in its policy vis-à-vis the Taliban in Afghanistan is to threaten Iran with it.

Source: Jomhouri-e Eslami, Iran, January 30, 2010

Iranian FM: Tehran Doesn't Take Clinton Seriously

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said that Iran does not take seriously U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statements about increasing pressure on Tehran for its refusal to meet the demands of the international community.

Mottaki said mockingly that it was statements like this that had led to Clinton's presidential election loss to Obama.

Source: IRNA, Mehr, Iran, January 31, 2010

‘Al-Quds Al-Arabi’ Notes Signs Of War With Iran

In light of reports on the acceleration of the implementation of U.S. arms deals withS. and Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, and on visits by senior U.S. officials to Israel, the London daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi predicted in an editorial that war would be launched against Iran.

The paper also stated that the Gulf states would be the biggest losers in U.S.'s and Israel's conflict with Iran.

Source: Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, February 1, 2010

Iranian Officials Respond to Deployment of U.S. Defense System in Gulf

Iranian military sources told a Lebanese website that about 180,000 U.S. troops were within the range of Iran's fire, and that the resistance forces in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan were ready to confront the U.S. and Israel.

In response to America's deployment of anti-missile defense systems in the Gulf states, Tehran IRGC commander Hossein Hamedani said that the message of the Revolution Day celebrations to the "Global Arrogance" (i.e., the West headed by the U.S.) is that the revolution's fourth generation would fight even more fiercely that the first.

Source: Mehr (Iran), Nowlebanon.com (Lebanon), January 30, 2010

Mousavi, Karroubi Call on Iranian Public to Participate in Revolution Day Celebrations

Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi called on the Iranian public to participate in the Revolution Day marches on February 11, and complained that, even though most of the Iranian people support the regime, they are not granted the right to hold free elections.

Mousavi and Karroubi also condemned the statements of Ayatollah Jannati who called in a January 29 sermon to execute protesters. They stated that two individuals who were recently executed for their role in the protests were actually arrested months before the elections and sentenced to death in an expedited procedure in order to terrorize the public.

Tehran IRGC commander Hossein Hamedani said that the Green Movement supporters would not be allowed to demonstrate during the Revolution Day celebrations, and Hashemi Rafsanjani called on the Iranians to take part in the marches and refrain from violence.

Sources: Mehr, Saham News, Aftab (Iran), January 30, 2010

If you would like to donate by mail, please send check or money order to:
	MEMRI P.O. Box 27837 Washington DC 20038
Telephone: 202.955.9070 Email: donate@memri.org

As a reader of MEMRI, you are familiar with our continuing efforts to expand our work to monitor more media outlets in more countries, research more subjects, and translate into more languages.

At this crucial time, as the war on terror continues, with the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, and with reformists in the region needing help to make their voices heard, we are introducing The MEMRI Blog.

The MEMRI Blog is a new service, provided by The Middle East Media Research Institute, which will operate in conjunction with MEMRI.org, MEMRITV.org, and MEMRIFilms.org.

While MEMRI regularly provides translations from editorials and sermons, as well as expert analysis, The MEMRI Blog will specifically highlight brief NEWS ITEMS from Arabic, Persian, and Turkish language media sources.