Israel denies plan to attack Iran

Monday's Daily Briefing on Iran.
Israel Denies Plan to Attack Iran.

• The New York Sun reported that Israel swiftly denied the report in the Times that Israeli pilots were training to strike targets in Iran with low-yield nuclear weapons.
• Pajamas Media challenged the report from the Sunday (London) Times for January 7, 2007: “Two Israeli air force squadrons are training to blow up an Iranian facility [Natanz] using low-yield nuclear “bunker-busters”, according to several Israeli military sources.

Three US Norfolk-based amphibious assault ships set out for Persian Gulf Saturday.

• DebkaFile reported that part of the USS Bataan Strike group carrying 2,000 Marines and equipped to insert forces ashore by helicopter, landing craft and amphibious vehicles set out for the Persian Gulf Saturday.

Democrats: Nuclear Iran unacceptable.

• The Jerusalem Post reported that the new House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Iran with nuclear weapons is unacceptable.

U.S. puts squeeze on Iran 's oil fields.

• The Los Angeles Times reported that a new U.S. campaign to dry up financing for oil and natural gas development poses a threat to the republic's ability to continue exporting oil over the next two decades.

Iranian Officials claim: Supreme Leader Enjoys Good Health.

• Forbes.com reported that Iran's foreign ministry on Sunday denied rumors that supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had died, saying he was in good health. Note: he has not yet been seen in public.

Here are two news items you may have missed.

• Fars News Agency reported that Russia accused the United States Saturday of illegally imposing sanctions on some Russian military firms which Washington says were cooperating with Iran and Syria.
• Asharq Alawsat reported that President Ahmadinejad, with his extremist policy, has frightened most of the Arabs, who had previously been on the side of Iran.

Thank you, Doctor Zin and Team, for bringing us this news. We are very grateful to you for all your hard work. Have a great day.