Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Iran

Defense Minister-Designate Says Iran To Focus On Missiles

23 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The man nominated to be Iran's defense minister today outlined the development of air defenses and ballistic missiles as the main priorities of the Islamic republic's defense industries.

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August 23, 2005

In a confirmation hearing before parliament, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar also said the development of modern ammunitions and equipment for electronic warfare were priorities for the defense sector.

Iran said it achieved a major breakthrough in May when it successfully tested a new solid-fuel motor for its medium-range ballistic missiles.

The Iranian parliament has since 21 August been hearing from each member of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's cabinet.

(AFP)

For RFE/RL's complete coverage of the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program, see "Iran's Nuclear Program."

Iran has stepped up its pressure on activists using the Internet

Iranian Activists, Journalists Receive Threatening E-mails

A number of Iranian activists and journalists based inside and outside the country have told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda they have been threatened in anonymous e-mails. More

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

Many Iranians have been claiming that their access to social networks and Internet-based e-mail sites has been blocked in recent days.

Iran Tightens Internet Control

Iranians are reporting that their access to Facebook and Internet-based e-mail sites like Gmail has been blocked, without any explanation from the government. Not even the strongest antifiltering programs have penetrated the firewall, they say. Some speculate the move is related to Iran's plan to launch a national internet, which might sever Iranians' ability to access the World Wide Web. More