The following is research published today from MEMRI’s Special Dispatch Series and TV Project.
Inquiry & Analysis No. 760—Iran/U.S. and the Arab and Muslim World/Proliferation of WMDs
Tehran's Reaction to IAEA Report: Apprehension and Escalated Threats
By: A. Savyon and Y. Mansharof*
Not long after Washington accused Tehran of involvement in terrorism, following the thwarting of the Iran-backed plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., the IAEA's unequivocal pronouncement in its, November 2011, report that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon increased apprehensions and concern in Tehran regarding a possible Western or Israeli strike against it. Alongside these fears, however, Iran also reacted by escalating its threats against the U.S. and Israel.
Encouraged by Russia and China, who following the publication of the report expressed their opposition to both a strike against Iran and further sanctions against it, Tehran is taking a two-pronged approach. It is threatening to carry out a forceful military strike against the U.S. and its allies if attacked, and even to destroy Israel, while at the same time engaging in diplomatic activity, relying on the support of Russia and China. Though Iranian regime spokesmen stress their skepticism about the likelihood of a Western attack on Iran, Iran is nevertheless threatening to destroy Israel – both via its allies Hizbullah, Hamas, and Syria, and with a direct military strike against Israel's nuclear facilities and population centers – while stressing what it calls Israel's geographical, moral, and technological inferiority to Iran.
The following are several Iranian responses to the IAEA report:
For more research about the Iran Nuclear Program, visithttp://www.memri.org/subject/en/121.htm.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5812.htm.
Special Dispatch No. 4279—Syria/Iran/Saudi Arabia/Inter-Arab Relations
Syrian Political Scientist Jamal Al-Mahmoud Calls upon Iran to Mobilize Shi'ites in Saudi Arabia, and States: The Syrian Army Should 'Use Violence against These Armed Groups and Finish Them Off'
Following are excerpts from an interview with Jamal Al-Mahmoud, a professor of political science at Damascus University, which aired on Al-Dunya TV on November 12, 2011.
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/3195.htm.
Jamal Al-Mahmoud: "We are experiencing a major crisis, which threatens Syria. I demand the use of force today. Not tomorrow, today! This is because I expect an escalation in the activities of the armed gangs, in the cities of Homs and Idlib. This is my prediction."
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5810.htm.
Special Dispatch No. 4280—Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor
Fatwa Permits Mujahideen to Join Rebel Forces in Arab Countries, Encourages Them to Form Their Own Forces
On November 12, 2011, the Salafi-jihadi website Minbar Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad published a fatwa by Sheikh Abu Mundhir Al-Shinqiti, a member of its shari'a council, permitting mujahideen to join forces fighting against the tyrannical Arab regimes, despite these forces' nationalistic and democratic aspirations. It also encouraged them to establish their own forces to fight against these regimes.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5811.htm.
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