Encircling Iran

US general warns over Iranian cyber-soldiers

"Cyber-attacks on Iran are turning it into a 'force to be reckoned with' America's top cyber-soldier has warned. Since 2010, Iran has come under attack many times by malicious viruses written specifically to target key industrial installations in the country. The repeated attacks have provoked Iran to improve its cyber-capabilities, said Gen William Shelton who oversees US cyber-operations. That improved capability had helped it protect itself against subsequent attacks on oil terminals and other manufacturing plants. Its capability might well be turned against Iran's enemies in the coming years, he said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS general warns over Iranian cyber-soldiers

Julian Assange calls WikiLeaks movie a ‘massive propaganda attack’

"Speaking to students at Britain’s prestigious Oxford University by videolink from the Ecuadoran embassy in London, Assange revealed that he had acquired a copy of the script for 'The Fifth Estate', due to be released in November. 'It is a lie upon lie. The movie is a massive propaganda attack on WikiLeaks and the character of my staff,' the Australian Internet activist told the audience at the university’s Oxford Union debating club. Assange, 41, also blasted the movie for 'fanning the flames' of war against Iran by implying that the Islamic republic was working on a nuclear bomb." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJulian Assange calls WikiLeaks movie a ‘massive propaganda attack’

War is Peace: The Second Obama Term

"From President Obama's second inaugural address: 'We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war.' Secretary of State nominee John Kerry before Senate confirmation hearing this week: 'The president has made it definitive -- we will do what we must to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. And I repeat here today: our policy is not containment. It is prevention, and the clock is ticking on our efforts to secure responsible compliance.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWar is Peace: The Second Obama Term

NATO deploys Patriot as warplanes hit Syria capital

"NATO declared that a Patriot missile battery went operational on Turkey’s border with Syria on Saturday, as a watchdog reported regime warplanes launched raids on a Damascus district. Ankara and NATO have stressed the deployment is for defensive purposes only, while Damascus and its ally Moscow have criticised the measure. The US-made missiles can take out cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as aircraft. Britain, meanwhile, pledged a multi-million dollar aid package to help Syrian civilians, nearly half of which would be channelled through agencies in Jordan where a record 6,400 refugees arrived on Friday." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNATO deploys Patriot as warplanes hit Syria capital

Iran plans to phase out dollar, euro in foreign trade: Econ. min.

"Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Shamseddin Hosseini says the country plans to phase out dollar and euro in its future international transactions after the US and the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions on Iran. '[Iranian] government has made up its mind to phase out vehicle currencies such as dollar and euro in its [foreign] trade,' Hosseini told reporters. He added that after the imposition of sanctions on Iran by the US and the EU, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) immediately moved to change the country's hard currencies reserves into euro and gold which 'was beneficial to the country.'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran plans to phase out dollar, euro in foreign trade: Econ. min.

Turkish gold exports rise 800 pct on demand from Iran

"Turkey is Iran's biggest natural gas customer but Western sanctions prevent it from paying Tehran in dollars or euros. Iran is instead paid in Turkish lira - of limited value on international markets but ideal for buying gold in Turkey. Couriers carrying millions of dollars worth of gold bullion in their luggage have been flying from Istanbul to Dubai, where the gold is shipped to Iran, industry sources with knowledge of the business told Reuters last year. New sanctions are due to take effect in February and could include measures to try to curb the trade." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTurkish gold exports rise 800 pct on demand from Iran

I Met the Enemy

"I recently had an opportunity to visit Iran. Family and friends warned me not to go because everyone knows the people in Iran all hate Americans. I found the Iranian people to be among the friendliest I have ever met anywhere in the world. I have new friends there that I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life. Oh how I wish a million Americans would visit Iran and meet the people there. If more Americans could see for themselves what I saw, they would demand our government change its policies toward these wonderful people. I met the enemy ... and I love them." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingI Met the Enemy

Iran to citizens: avoid U.S. travel due to ‘targeted Iranophobia’

"Iran has issued a travel warning to its citizens against visiting arch-foe the United States, an official said, after the death of an Iranian national reportedly following a grilling by US customs officials. 'Iranian citizens are advised to avoid non-essential travels to the US and, in case of visit, to exercise maximum caution,' foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in remarks reported by the ISNA news agency. The US is a 'high risk' destination for Iranian travellers, he said citing a 'targeted Iranophobia trend in the US and repeated incidents in which Iranian citizens are threatened and arrested there.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran to citizens: avoid U.S. travel due to ‘targeted Iranophobia’

We Love You – Iran & Israel

"I don't even know you. No Iranian ever did me no harm. I never even met an Iranian...Just one in Paris in a museum. Nice dude. My name is Ronny, I'm 41 years old. I'm a father, a teacher, a Graphic Designer. I'm an Israeli citizen and I need your help. Lately, in the news, we've been hearing about a war coming while we, the people are sitting, watching like it has nothing to do with us. On March 15th, I posted a poster on Facebook. The message was simple. Iranians. We love you. We will never bomb your country." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWe Love You – Iran & Israel