Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Iran

Former Iranian President Urges U.S. To 'Learn' From Lebanon Conflict

Ali-Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani (file photo) (epa)

August 18, 2006 -- Former Iranian President Ali-Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani said today he hopes the United States will "learn a lesson" from the recent fighting in Lebanon and not stir any more troubles in the Middle East.

TEXT SIZE - +

August 18, 2006

Referring to Iran's nuclear dispute with the world community, Rafsanjani said it should be solved peacefully.

"We hope that America will learn its lesson and will not enter a new conflict to disturb security in this region," he said. "It should let the wise people untie the knots and solve this regional and global problem (Iran's controversial nuclear program) through negotiations."

Rafsanjani made those remarks during a Friday prayers sermon broadcast live on state television.

The former president now heads Iran's influential Expediency Council, which arbitrates between the parliament and the ruling hierarchy.

(IRIB, Reuters, AP)

RFE/RL Iran Report

SUBSCRIBE For regular news and analysis on Iran by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Iran Report."

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

Web-savvy Iranian oppositionists are renowned for their ability to use proxies and other means to circumvent Tehran

Explainer: Iran's National Internet

Reports that Iran has stepped up its Internet censorship in recent days -- as evidenced by a general slowdown of the web, Internet blackouts, and the blocking of sites such as Google -- has raised speculation that the country might be testing its controversial "national Internet." More

A cardboard Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini arrives in Tehran to mark the 33rd anniversary of his triumphant return to Iran following the Islamic Revolution.

Iran's 'Cardboard Khomeini' Faces Criticism, Condemnation

Iran's "Cardboard Khomeini" is fueling a firestorm of criticism in the Middle Eastern country after cutouts of the Islamic republic's founder appeared at a number of events, and photos mocking the mock-up went viral. More