Back to Brief on Iran
The state-run television in Iran reported this evening that "two bombs exploded in two different streets in (the northeastern city) of Mashad within twenty minutes of each other, injuring two pedestrians."
The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran vehemently condemns these criminal bombings and any other act that would endanger the lives of innocent people. The only party that benefits from such crimes is the mullahs’ regime.
On September 16, 1999, another explosion
in a public area of Mashad killed two and injured several people. The mullahs'
Intelligence Ministry later divulged that the bombing had been carried
out by its own agents.
Iran's Post-Election Media Battle, BBC World Service, April 11
In the eight weeks since Iran's parliamentary elections, the political pressure on the Iranian press and media has escalated. It has been characterized by a tough crackdown on pro-reform journalism by conservatives in the judiciary and parliament…
Post-election Iran now sees reformist supporters of Mohammad Khatami in the press being summoned on an almost daily basis before the strict Press Court…
The (Hajjarian’s) shooting has prompted a rash of charges and counter-charges between conservatives and reformists, prompting the judiciary to call on newspaper editors to exercise caution in reporting on the attack.
Commenting in Tuesday's Mosharekat…
the journalist Abbas Abdi said… "if they persist in their policies, the
most that they will achieve is social disintegration and collapse, which
is bound to drag them under as well."
Security Forces, 23rd Airborne Division Clash, Iran Zamin News Agency, April 12
Extensive clashes erupted between the State Security Forces and a battalion from the Army's 23rd Airborne Division on Sunday, April 9 in south Tehran's Robat Karim district.
Several from both sides were wounded in the clashes which lasted for several hours.
The incident came in the wake of the
aggravating internal crisis and the political strife between the ruling
factions turning violent particularly after the Majlis elections.
Closed Trial For Iranian Jews, Associated Press, April 12
The trial of 13 Jews charged with spying for the United States and Israel will be closed to the public, Tehran radio reported Wednesday, dashing hopes the proceedings can be monitored to ensure they are free and fair.
Only the accused, their official counsels
and those who have "legal involvement" in the case will be allowed to attend
the trial, which opens Thursday, the radio said.
News Bites
Associated Press, April 12 - A member of parliament and close associate of Iran's president was seriously hurt in a car accident Wednesday, doctors said. Doctors said Rajab-Ali Mazroui's condition was very grave. Mazroui was a presidential adviser who quit to take part in February's legislative elections, in which he won a seat from Isfahan.
Fath (pro-Khatami daily), April 8 - The investigation the Hajjarian case may lead nowhere and the main perpetrators and the roots of the plot may never be discovered.
Investigations were under way on the 'Tehran University Dormitory Incidence' at the time that Hajjarian's assassination attempt occurred. Investigations on the 'University Dormitory' case is still being pursued at a time that investigations have been launched into the Hajjarian murder attempt.
The next incident would presumably relegate the Hajjarian dossier to the sidelines.
State-run Radio, April 11 - Ayatollah Nuri-Hamadani has stressed that Islam and ulema are the only deterrent against the [global] arrogance and that is why they are the targets of so many attacks…
He said: Today the enemies of Islam have the entire world news media as well as well-developed technology at their disposal. He added: The enemies of Islam have never been so equipped as they are today.
Azad (pro-Khatami daily), April 11 - A well-informed source said that Hashemi Rafsanjani has opted for a recount of some of the disputed districts in the face of the Guardian Council's waver.
The source said that if a review of some of the ballots was not approved and even in the face of a rebuttal by the GC, Rafsanjani would not take up his seat in the future Majlis.
Agence France Presse, April 11 - Iran's outgoing parliament on Tuesday approved parts of a tough new press law. The vote gave the state security court sweeping powers to immediately close, for up to two months, any newspaper it believes is endangering security in the Islamic republic.