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Iran's first spy satellite launch Tuesday signifies nuclear-capable rocket in hand DEBKAfile Special Report February 3, 2009, 12:45 PM (GMT+02:00) Iran launches satellite Omid into orbit The launch of Omid (Hope), Iran's first home-made satellite into orbit early Tuesday, Feb. 3, is a breakthrough demonstrating the Islamic Republic has managed to develop long-range, three-stage, solid fuel ballistic rockets capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Israel and Western officials have been playing down this fast-developing capability while proving helpless to hold back Iran's nuclear weapons program. DEBKAfile's Iranian sources report the new satellite is designed for tracking, research, telecommunications and carries digital measuring instruments. They stress that it is a major breakthrough for Iran's "Military Group" – the team of scientists and technicians working on its clandestine nuclear bomb program.  More...

Meshaal urges Iranian students to join Islamist liberation of all Palestine DEBKAfile Exclusive Report February 2, 2009, 9:48 PM (GMT+02:00) Gaza ceasefire? Decision in Tehran On the third day of his talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran, Hamas' supreme leader Khaled Meshaal urged Iranian students to join his Islamist movement in helping liberate all of Palestine, secure the return of all Palestinians and retake Jerusalem so that "we can pray together." Tehran's aggressive line ensured that the talks Hamas representatives are holding in Cairo on a long-term ceasefire will stall and the missiles will keep coming from Gaza against Israel.  More... Obama's Middle East policies take shape Coming DEBKA-Net-Weekly Exclusive February 3, 2009, 12:57 PM (GMT+02:00) The new US administration has finalized its policies for the Middle East. The coming DEBKA-Net-Weeklysheds first light on some of Barack Obama's key decisions on how to handle Iran and its nuclear program, future relations with Israel, the Palestinian question and much more. Don't miss our next issue out next Friday. You will find answers there to some of the most hotly-debated world issues of the day. To subscribe to DEBKA-Net-Weeklyclick HERE . Sderot jolted out of brief respite from Palestinian missiles DEBKAfile Special Report February 2, 2009, 9:36 PM (GMT+02:00) Israel's low-key reprisals Saturday night and Sunday, Feb. 1-2, had little effect on the Palestinian missile and mortar fire from Gaza ongoing for the sixth straight day in violation of the ceasefire Hamas declared Jan. 19. Hamas is taking its line from Tehran where its leader Khaled Meshaal urged Iranian students to join the Palestinian Islamist movement in helping "to liberate" Jerusalem and "all of Palestine" so they can "pray together" in the holy city.  More... Tehran: Obama's offer of talks shows US "policy of domination" failed January 31, 2009, 1:00 PM (GMT+02:00) Iran's government spokesman is quoted as saying Saturday, Jan. 31 that capitalist thought and the system of domination have failed. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Khomeini's overthrow of the shah that Iran's Islamic revolution was not limited to its borders. His response to the US president Barack Obama's overtures was a demand that America apologize for 60 years of "crimes against Iran" and its new president carry out a "deep and fundamental change." Cyprus searches ship carrying banned Iranian arms destined for Hamas DEBKAfile Special Report January 30, 2009, 12:59 PM (GMT+02:00) Cyprus president Demetris Christofias said Friday, Jan. 30, that a ship being searched off Limassol is carrying a cargo that contravenes UN resolutions. Cyprus state radio reported the vessel was Russian-owned and may have been traveling from Iran to Syria with weapons destined for Hamas. DEBKAfile cites UN Security Council Resolution 1747 of March 24, 2007, which toughened sanctions against Iran to include a ban on the country's arms exports, and would have provided the US Navy with authority to seize the arms. However, it was allowed to continue on it voyage.  More...