Unrest In Iran -- News Updates For January 3, 2009

An Iranian technician looks at a camera installed by the IAEA,
at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facilities. Photo AFP

Report: Iran To Hold 'Large-Scale Military Exercise' Next Month -- CNN

Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Iran will hold a "large-scale military exercise" next month in order to prepare its forces to repel an offensive by the nation's enemies, government-funded Press TV reported, citing a top military official.

Brig. Gen. Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan, commander of Iran's ground forces, told a meeting of servicemen in Tehran Saturday the joint drill will be conducted by ground forces and some units of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and aimed at improving "the force's defensive capabilities," Press TV said. The exercise will also "boost the region's security," he said.

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More News On Iran

Iran holds major military defense drill next month -- Press TV

Iran issues ultimatum to West over nuclear fuel swap -- China View
Iran demands West accept counter plan on nuclear program -- CNN
Iran Gives West One-Month ‘Ultimatum’ to Accept Nuclear Counterproposal -- New York Times
Defiant Iran issues deadline to West over nuclear exchange plan -- The Scotsman
Iran Says It Will Make Own Highly Enriched Uranium If Unavailable From West -- Radio free Europe
Iran answers unmet uranium deadline with 'ultimatum' of its own for the West -- The Hill

Iran 'standing in its own way' on nuclear deal: US -- AFP
U.S. Sees an Opportunity to Press Iran on Nuclear Fuel -- New York Times
Barack Obama talks tough on terror as Iran raises nuclear stakes -- The Guardian
US considers new sanctions against Iran: report -- AFP

Mousavi arrest would have 'catastrophic consequences': dissident -- AFP
Analysis: Mir-Hossein Mousavi the 'martyr' shows followers he means business -- The Telegraph
Opposition leader Mousavi denounces Iran's crackdown -- L.A. Timers

Iran: Clash With Drug Smugglers Kills 11 Policemen -- New York Times
Drug traffickers kill 11 policemen in Iran: report -- AFP
Police Seize 9 Tons of Illicit Drugs in Northwestern Iran -- FARS News Agency

Commentary And Analysis

After missing deadline, a threat -- Politico
In protesters' fight for justice in Iran, U.S. stands on the sidelines -- Washington Post
Call it what it is: Iran's revolution -- Amir Fakhravar, New York Daily News
Iran's Hardliners: How to Fight Spontaneous Combustion -- Time Magazine
This is absolutely, positively, Iran's last chance...no, really. -- Rick Moran