Iran held responsible for 170 US deaths by Pentagon

Monday's Daily Briefing on Iran.
Pentagon blames Iran for 170 US deaths in Iraq.

• The Telegraph reported that the US blamed Iran for the deaths of 170 US troops inside Iraq.

Iran Test Fires Anti - Carrier Cruise Missile.

• Newsblaze.com reported that Iran 's Revolutionary Guards Naval and Air Forces have just test fired an anti-carrier cruise missile.

Iran Sends Anti-air Missiles to Sunni Insurgents and Hizballah.

• DEBKAfile reported that sources in Tehran and Kurdistan disclose that, last month, two Iranian QW-1 and SA-7 missile consignments reached Iraqi insurgents allied with al Qaeda and one, radical Shiite Moqtada Sadr’s Shiite militia, the Mehdi Army. Israeli sources report the same anti-air weapons were delivered at about the same time to Hizballah units in Lebanon including the south.

Gates insists US won't attack Iran.

• Boston.com reported that Defense Secretary Robert Gates insists that, despite persistent reports to the contrary circulating in Washington and around the world, the United States is not planning military action against Iran.

Gulf States Load Up On Weapons of War.

• The Sunday Telegraph reported that leaders of Sunni Arab states are embarking on multi billion dollar military spending spree in an attempt to contain the growing threat from Iran.

Democrats Urge Administration to Go Slow With Iran Evidence.

• Fox News reported that while senior U.S. defense officials say they have evidence linking some of the deadliest weapons being used against U.S. forces in Iraq to the highest levels of the Iranian government, congressional Democrats are warning the administration to go slow in making its case.

The Mullahs and the Bomb: Chirac's Analysis.

• Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat asked: is the Islamic Republic really trying to produce a nuclear arsenal? If yes, should we worry about it? Earlier this month, France 's President Jacques Chirac posed the questions, answering both in the affirmative. If Chirac remains true to his analysis, he would use the French veto to stop a new UN resolution.

Moscow expected to use its influence to prevent another anti-Iran resolution.

• The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the Supreme Leader's adviser for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati said here Saturday that Iran expects Russia to do its utmost to prevent another resolution against Iran from being passed.

China, India, Russia agree on Iran issue: Chinese expert.

• Teluguportal.net reported that India , Russia and China have a near identical approach towards resolving the Iranian nuclear impasse and will advocate a negotiated solution within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the trilateral meeting of their foreign ministers.

This is Iran , But Not as You Know it.

• The Sunday Times reported on another side of Iran that the western media does not often tell us of.
• The Globe and Mail reported on his trip to an ultra-conservative corner of Iran , where you can see most clearly the fractures appearing in Mr. Ahmadinejad's authoritarian facade, and the forces of opposition beginning to mass against him.

Here are two news items you may have missed.

• Ardeshir Dolat reported on a video where Ahmadinejad talks about the possibility of producing home made nuclear energy (bombs) at home.
• CoxandForkum published a cartoon valentine from Ahmadinejad.

Thank you, Doctor Zin and Team, for this very grave news. I am going to pray now.