RCI SELECTED NEWS BRIEFS

Islamic Republic's Nuclear Negotiator:

Iran has acquired nuclear know-how.

IranMania reported that the Islamic Republic's Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani said that Iran has acquired know how to produce nuclear energy and is now at the stage of research and development.


Islamic Republic's arms for uranium deal with Somalia.
Steve Schippert, Threats Watch reported recent news from the UN of the Islamic Republic's export arms to Somalia in exchange for raw uranium ore.

Islamic Republic vows a decisive response to any aggression.
Reuters reported that Iran said it will respond decisively to any act of aggression by the United States or Israel.

State Department seeks democratic reform, NOT regime change in Iran.

Stephen Kaufman, U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information reported that U.S. policy towards Iran is encouraging it to institute democratic reforms. But not regime change.

Blair denies he is appeasing Iran.

Bloomberg reported that Tony Blair denied he is appeasing Iran by calling for diplomatic engagement across the Middle East, saying he won't back down on the issues of nuclear weapons or terrorism.

People's Online Daily reported that the Argentine government on Thursday stepped up security measures at key locations in the country, including U.S. and Israeli embassies and Jewish community centers, in response to a growing diplomatic crisis with Iran.

Forbes reported that Russia is going ahead with a contract to deliver sophisticated air defense systems to Iran, a Russian defense ministry official said.

Voice of America reported that the campaign by the Iranian government to silence dissident voices extends even to clerics. A report on numerous clerics.

Michael Ramirez, Townhall published a cartoon: Rumbles in the Middle East.