Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Iran

FIFA Grants Iranian Soccer Temporary Reprieve

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (center) with national team members in March (Fars)

November 27, 2006 -- Defending champion Iran will be allowed to compete in the Asian Games soccer tournament after the game's ruling body, FIFA, temporarily lifted an international ban on the team.

Iran Soccer Suspended For 'Government Interference'

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November 27, 2006

FIFA recently announced the suspension of Iran -- which has won Asian Games titles in 1974, 1990, 1998, and 2002 -- from all international competition because of what it described as government interference in the sport.

But organizers said today that FIFA had temporarily lifted the suspension and Iran's soccer team now can participate in the 15th Asian Games.

FIFA has objected to Iranian authorities' ousting of the Iran Football Federation's leadership earlier this year and demanded that they reinstate board members.

Iran is the second country to have received FIFA sanctions in recent months. Kenya was suspended in October for failing to respect signed agreements and other recurrent problems.

(Reuters)

Iran's Arab Minority

The aftermath of a car bombing in Ahvaz on June 12, 2005 (epa)

DISCONTENT IN THE SOUTH: There are approximately 2.07 million ethnic Arabs in Iran (3 percent of the total population of 69 million), most of them living in the region around the southern city of Ahvaz. The region has been the scene of numerous terrorist attacks and demonstrations over the years. Arab groups cite historical grievances, and they bemoan inadequate attention to their culture and language by state media....(more)

Handling Of Ahvaz Unrest Could End With Televised Confessions

Bombing Accusations Highlight 'Differences And Disagreements'

Bombings In Southwest Blamed On Usual Suspect

Blaming British For Arab Unrest Has Historical Roots

India -- Investigators work at the site where a vehicle exploded near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, 13Feb2012

Alleged Attacks Tehran's Way Of Lashing Out?

(INTRO) Israel has blamed Iran for two bombings targeting its diplomats in India and Georgia this week, as well as for a botched bombing in Bangkok that Thai intelligence officials said were aimed at top Israeli diplomats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran's "terrorist activities" have been exposed, but Iran has denied any involvement. RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari spoke to Juan Zarate, senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and former Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism about the attacks and Iran's alleged role. More

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (center) looks on as scientists unveil a fuel rod at the Tehran Research Reactor.

Iranian Nuke Still One-To-Three Years Away, Says Expert

Iran on announced on February 15 that it has installed its first domestically produced nuclear fuel rods in a reactor in Tehran. Tehran also announced that it activated a new generation of centrifuges at its Natanz nuclear facility. RFE/RL spoke with nuclear physicist Frank Barnaby about what the advances reveal regarding Iran's uranium enrichment abilities, which Western countries allege are aimed at secretly building a nuclear weapon. More

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