Daily Briefing on Iran, Wednesday, 11/29/2005

Iran's President: "I will stop Christianity in this country"

Compass Direct: Global News from the Frontline

An Iranian convert to Christianity was kidnapped last week from his home in northeastern Iran and stabbed to death, his bleeding body thrown in front of his home a few hours later.

...Within hours of the November 22 murder, local secret police arrived at the martyred pastor’s home, searching for Bibles and other banned Christian books in the Farsi language.

...According to one informed Iranian source, during the past eight days representatives of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) have arrested and severely tortured 10 other Christians in several cities, including Tehran. All the detainees have since been released.

...Tori’s murder came just days after Iran’s new hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called an open meeting with the nation’s 30 provincial governors. During the session, an Iranian source told Compass, Ahmadinejad declared that the government needed to put a stop to the burgeoning movement of house churches across Iran.

“I will stop Christianity in this country,” Ahmadinejad reportedly vowed. READ MORE.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.
**U.S. Department of State published excerpts of Condoleezza Rice statements on the new direct US/Iran talks scheduled on Iran and her thoughts on sanctions in Iran.
**CNN.com reported that Iran's space agency is trying to snap up technology from abroad as fast as possible.
**Golnaz Esfandiari, Radio Free Europe reported that the Iranian media have been reporting that in an official meeting Ahmadinejad said that the Hidden Imam will appear in two years.
**Agence France Presse reported that an Iranian convicted of armed robbery has had his left foot amputated in a prison.
**DEBKAfile reported that Iranian Military instructors have slipped into Lebanon with a new anti tank missile.
**Tulin Daloglu, The Washington Times provided some suggestions to ensure success while dealing with Iran.
**Amy Kellogg, FOX News released her final report from inside Iran: Saddam's Iranian Victims. Video also available.
**Kenneth R. Timmerman, FrontPageMagazine.com provides an excellent review of what Iranian leaders have been saying publicly about their nuclear program. A must read.
**The Wshington Times in an editorial reported that Iranian officials have been gloating over what appears to be the latest retreat by the European Union 3 to seek further talks with the Iranians.