Iran Test Launches Its Longest-Range Missiles

Iranian president suggested more freedom would end riots

(NEWSER) - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, not necessarily known as a big softy, took a surprisingly sympathetic stance toward the protesters then filling the streets to protest his election—and got slapped across the face for his trouble. Ahmadinejad, in a meeting with the Supreme National Security Council, said the people felt "suffocated" and suggested that relaxing limits on personal liberty and the press would help calm tensions. A Revolutionary Guard honcho slapped him one for his trouble, according to the February 11 cable released by WikiLeaks. More»

Internet access slows, foreign media warned on eve of annual event

(NEWSER) - An annual rally is shaping up as another battle between Iran's government and citizens, with Internet access in Tehran restricted and foreign reporters warned not even to go outside for the next 3 days. Dec. 7 is Students Day, marking the anniversary of the deaths of three student protesters in 1953, but this year's observation is likely to turn into another protest of the disputed June presidential election. More»

(NEWSER) - Iranian protesters, both male and female, were raped in a notorious prison in the aftermath of the disputed presidential election, one of the defeated candidates alleged today. Reformist Mehdi Karroubi wrote on his website that senior prison officials told him about "really shameful issues," including sexual violence that "caused serious injuries." Last week Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the prison closed; its director has been arrested. More»

Ahmadinejad reports new test of arms that could reach Israel

(AP) - Iran test-fired a new advanced missile today with a range of about 1,200 miles, far enough to strike Israel and southeastern Europe, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims. The reported launch comes two days after Barack Obama said he would seek deeper international sanctions against Iran if it shunned US attempts to open negotiations on its nuclear program, reports the AP. "It landed precisely on the target," said the Iranian president. More»

Iran could have nuclear weapon by 2010

(NEWSER) - Iran may be mere months away from amassing enough low-enriched uranium to begin the next step in developing nuclear weapons, reports the Daily Telegraph. If the regime overcomes certain technical hurdles and further enriches its uranium to weapons grade, it could potentially develop a nuclear warhead by next year, reports the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The news comes as the US is making conciliatory moves toward Iran. More»