IRAN - Dec 21 - Tehran Says It's Getting Missiles.
An Iranian official says Russia had started delivering an advanced air-defense system to Iran, despite earlier denials by Russia that a deal had been reached. The official, Esmail Kosari, the deputy head of Parliament's Commission for Foreign Affairs and National Security, was quoted by IRNA as saying, "After a...

ARAB EUROPEAN RELATIONS - Dec 22 - Russia Denies Selling Missile System To Iran.
Russia is not selling Iran an advanced air-defense system, Russia's agency for monitoring international defense co-operation said in a statement, refuting claims by an Iranian official reported Sunday that the system was already being delivered. "Military-technical cooperation with Iran is conducted on a planned basis corresponding with agreements signed...

ARAB ISRAELI RELATIONS - Dec 29 - Gaza Toll Passes 350 In 3rd Day Of Israeli Strikes.
Israel is engaged in an "all-out war with Hamas", Defense Minister Ehud Barak tells Parliament as his air force struck at the organization's civic institutions - the Islamic University, Interior Ministry and presidential guesthouse. The death toll surpassed 350, some 60 of them civilians, according to UN officials. As...

Majority of Americans Support Direct Diplomacy With Iran; Despite continuing to be highly unfavorable toward the country overall.
Byline: Lymari Morales Synopsis: A majority of Americans (56%) think the United States should engage in direct diplomacy with Iran, though 8 in 10 continue to view the country unfavorably overall. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans appear to support the Obama administration's push for "face-to-face" dialogue...

IRAQ - Jan 21 - Iran Says Palestinian Resistance Has Right To Arms.
Iran, accused by Israel of supplying arms to Hamas militants, says resistance groups around the world like those in Gaza had the right to have access to weapons to fight against "colonialists". "A government or a people who would like to defend themselves, it is very natural they will...

IRAQ - Jan 20-21 - Mass Hangings In Iran.
Iran hangs 22 convicted criminals in mass executions in Tehran and few other cities, official news media reported. Iran has the highest number of executions in the world after China. Crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and adultery are punished by execution. The state run television...

Resurgence In The Shi'ite World - Part 38 - Iraq Between Turkey & Iran.
With Iraq's Shi'ite PM Nuri al-Maleki having won big in Jan. 31 provincial elections to start a secular democracy similar to that of Turkey, the Shi'ite theocracy of Iran is using a more extremist version of political Islam to condemn secularists as heretics. This puts Iraq between a Turkey...

The Provincial Elections & Maleki Vs Iran Roles.
The Electoral Commission on Jan. 18 said it was investigating allegations that nearly 60 candidates had submitted fraudulent qualification certificates. Commission chief Faraj al-Haidari said his body wanted the ministries of Education and Higher Education to verify the certificates before excluding candidates. The law requires candidates to have certain...

Iran readying Tehran-Manila direct flights.
The Iranian government plans to start the first Tehran-Manila direct flight "in three months" in a move to intensify the tourism and investment relations between the two countries. Iranian Ambassador Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani said Tehran's Mahan Air, a private airline, is targeting to have four direct flights...

World Premiere on the Streif Ski Run - BILD.
Talented Skier From Iran Demonstrates his Abilities for the First Time at the Renowned Ski Race in Kitzbuhel For the First Time in the History of Ski Racing, an Iranian is Taking Part in an FIS World Cup Race TEHERAN and VIENNA, January 19 /PRNewswire/...