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AFP reported that "Iran has denied the opposition a permit for a ceremony to mourn people slain in protests over last month's presidential election, the interior ministry said on Tuesday. 'No permit has been issued for gathering and marching for any individuals or different political groups,' Mahmoud Abbaszadeh Meshkini, the ministry's political director, told the Fars news agency. He said the ministry had received 'a note signed by two presidential candidates, who were not favoured by the majority of voters, to hold a memorial service for those killed in post-election events.' Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who lost to incumbent hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, had submitted request for a 'silent' memorial in Tehran on Thursday which would feature recitals from the Koran." (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hFCRvEM12HnKXDE6cL-PTcB5e-7g)
  AFP reported that "US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned on Monday that tough sanctions will follow if Tehran fails to respond to Washington's offers of dialogue on its controversial nuclear programme.  'What is clear is if the engagement process is not successful, the United States is prepared to press for significant additional sanctions that would be non-incremental,' Gates said in the Jordanian capital on a Middle East tour.  He added that in such an event Washington would 'try to get international support for a much tougher position.'  Iran is already subject to three sets of UN sanctions following its refusal to heed repeated ultimatums from the Security Council to halt sensitive nuclear work.  Gates said Washington's preferred option remained a negotiated resolution of Western suspicions that Iran's civilian nuclear programme is cover for a weapons drive, something that Tehran strongly denies." (http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/5755484/gates-warns-of-tough-sanctions-if-iran-fails-to-talk/)
  The Washington Post reported that "Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Monday stressed engagement and economic sanctions to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, prompting his Israeli counterpart to insist that 'no options' should be ruled out if diplomacy fails.  Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, in a short news conference with Gates, who was visiting here, twice raised the possibility that military action might be needed to stop Iran's nuclear program.  'We clearly believe that no options should be removed from the table,' Barak said. 'This is our policy. We mean it. We recommend others to take the same position, but we do not dictate to anyone.'  Gates steered clear of any talk of military options. Although the Obama administration has not ruled out using military force against Tehran, it has focused most of its attention on drawing the Iranians into talks over their nuclear program and convincing them that developing a nuclear bomb is not in their best interest. Gates said the administration hopes to have by the fall an initial response from Iran regarding its entreaties.  If the talks fail, he said, stiff international economic sanctions on Tehran would be in order." (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR200907...)
Reuters reported that "Iran's opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi said on Monday the pro-reform protests which erupted after the country's disputed June presidential vote will continue, his website reported.  'The pro-reform path will continue,' Mousavi said in a statement. 'The establishment should respect the constitution and let us to gather to commemorate our killed loved ones on Thursday.'  Moderate defeated candidates Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi on Sunday called on the authorities to permit a gathering on Thursday at Tehran's 'Grand Mosala,' a prayer location where tens of thousands can gather, to commemorate unrest victims. The June 12 vote plunged the country into its biggest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic revolution and exposed deepening divisions in its ruling elite. Iranian media have reported several cases of protesters' deaths following the vote, including those of Sohrab Aarabi and Mohsen Ruholamini." http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/5755459/irans-mousavi-says-protests-w...
The LA Times reported that "U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates promised Israeli leaders Monday that American overtures to Iran are 'not open-ended' and said the Obama administration is ready to press for tougher economic sanctions if diplomacy fails to halt what the two allies say is Iran's progress toward building a nuclear weapon.  Gates' brief visit to Jerusalem was aimed at easing tension between the United States and Israel over how to confront Iran, and the differences were evident at his only public appearance here. Speaking to reporters alongside Gates, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak made it clear that he did not favor the U.S. strategy of engagement with Iran and said three times that Israel would not rule out a preemptive military strike if it deemed that talks were not working." (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-gates-israel28-2009j...)
The AP reported that "An appeals court found Iran's industry minister guilty of fraud, newspapers reported Monday, in a new embarrassment for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad even as he faces new disputes with his own hard-line camp over his government.  Ahmadinejad has been feuding the past week with hard-liners, first over his appointment for vice president - whom he was forced to drop - then over his dismissal Sunday of his intelligence minister. Some hard-liners contend Ahmadinejad's government must be put to a parliamentary vote of confidence...The disputes are in part symbolic since Ahmadinejad is due to form a new government in August. But the rift could indicate that powerful hard-line politicians are sensing weakness in the president amid the election dispute and are seeking to have greater control over him in his second term. Some conservatives clashed frequently with Ahmadinejad in his first term over what they saw as his tendency to reserve power to a small clique of associates rather than distributing it among the camp's factions." (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090727/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_politics)
The Financial Times reported that "The Obama administration yesterday stepped up its drive for a diplomatic solution to the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, as Robert Gates, defence secretary, called on a skeptical Israeli government to give time for talks to succeed.  On his first visit to Israel for 2½ years, Mr. Gates insisted that despite concerns about both the Iranian programme and the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud AhmadiNejad, Tehran should still be given until late September to respond to an offer of negotiations from the world's big powers.  The September date was fixed by this month's Group of Eight summit, while President Barack Obama has argued that the progress of any talks with Iran should be assessed by the end of the year - despite pressure from Israel for speedy action to counter Tehran's nuclear progress. 'I think, based on the information that is available to us, that the timetable that the president has laid out still seems to be viable and does not significantly increase the risks to anybody,' Mr. Gates said yesterday, emphasising the administration's argument that talks would not be 'open-ended.'" (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/67e596ea-7b0d-11de-8c34-00144feabdc0.html)
The New York Times reported that "The Iranian opposition leader Mir Hussein Moussavi spoke out more strongly than ever before on Monday against the arrests and killings of protesters, hours before Iran's supreme leader ordered the closing of a 'nonstandard' prison apparently in an effort to deflect rising criticism over the issue.  'How can it be that the leaders of our country do not cry out and shed tears about these tragedies?' Mr. Moussavi said, in comments to a teachers' association that were posted on his Web site. 'Can they not see it, feel it? These things are blackening our country, blackening all our hearts. If we remain silent, it will destroy us all and take us to hell.'...Repercussions continued from the political dispute over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's promotion of a controversial ally, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, who made friendly comments about Israel last year. The issue has underscored persistent divisions among Iran's conservatives...The dispute may fuel further dissension this week, with some legislators warning that the president's actions could trigger a confidence vote on his cabinet, despite the fact that only a week remains before Mr. Ahmadinejad is sworn in for a second term and must submit a new cabinet to Parliament for approval." (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/world/middleeast/28iran.html?ref=today...)
The Washington Post reported that "Top Iranian leaders on Monday called for greater protection for opposition demonstrators arrested during this summer's protests after at least three were reported in recent days to have died in custody.  The calls reflect concern, even among Iran's ruling elite, that some of those detained are being mistreated by officials and groups operating under the authority of the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has taken an ever larger role in Iranian affairs since protests over June's disputed presidential election triggered a massive crackdown.  Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking through his representative on the National Security Council, called Monday for criminal acts to be handled through proper legal channels. Khamenei ordered the closure of a substandard prison facility and reminded officials that "criminal acts should be confronted by government bodies only within the framework of the law and no one can deny the legal rights of any individual," the representative, Saeed Jalili, quoted Khamenei as saying, according to the semiofficial Iranian Students News Agency."(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR200907...)
The LA Times reported that "Iran's leading opposition figure called on his supporters Monday to head into the streets daily during a religious festival next week, potentially escalating tensions at a time when his election rival, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is to be sworn in for a second term.  The call for new protests was the most provocative move in weeks by former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi. It was a sign that the aging bureaucrat, once a pillar of the Islamic Republic's political establishment, is growing into the role of leader of a youth-based movement that seeks greater democracy and better ties to the rest of the world.  It also highlights the difficulty Iran's political powers are having trying to tame the unrest stemming from charges that Ahmadinejad stole the June 12 presidential election. Authorities have fallen back on the same tactics they used to quell protests in 1999 and 2003 -- beating and imprisoning activists. But this time, those methods have not stopped the protest, and have even divided the ranks of political conservatives...Opposition figures also are demanding to use Tehran's Grand Mosala Mosque on Thursday as a venue to commemorate the religiously significant 40th day after the deaths of protesters killed in June 20 demonstrations, including Neda Agha-Soltan, the young woman whose shooting was captured on video and seen around the world. Whether or not the mosque permit is issued, Iranians are bracing for fresh clashes on Thursday." (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-protests28-2009jul28,0,7026350,print.story)
  Reuters wrote that "Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has chosen a strange moment to cross swords with his chief patron, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.  As if widespread popular unrest and the wrath of reformists over a disputed election were not enough, Ahmadinejad has alienated some of his own allies and lost two hardline cabinet members by defying Khamenei over his choice of vice president. The disarray in the hardline camp is likely to complicate Ahmadinejad's job of forming a new cabinet, risking prolonged paralysis in decision-making even as a Western deadline looms for Iran to enter substantive talks on its nuclear programe.  Ahmadinejad, due to be sworn in by parliament next week, is already under fire from his moderate rivals, Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, who say any new cabinet will be illegitimate as the June 12 poll was rigged -- a charge the authorities deny.  Part of Iran's influential Shi'ite clerical establishment based in the shrine city of Qom has also signalled misgivings over the aftermath of the poll, which has plunged Iran into its worst internal upheaval since the 1979 Islamic revolution." (http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLS527671)
Francis Fukuyama wrote in today's Wall Street Journal "When Columbia University President Lee Bollinger introduced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at his school in September 2007, he denounced him as a 'petty tyrant.' Ahmadinejad is many bad things, including a Holocaust denier and a strong proponent of a nuclear Iran. But as recent events have underlined, Iran is not quite a tyranny, petty or grand, and the office Ahmadinejad occupies does not give him final say in Iranian affairs. That role is more truly occupied by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, head of the Council of Guardians and Iran's supreme leader...Political scientists categorize the Islamic Republic of Iran as an 'electoral authoritarian' regime of a new sort. They put it in the same basket as Hugo Chávez's Venezuela or Vladimir Putin's Russia. By this view, Iran is fundamentally an authoritarian regime run by a small circle of clerics and military officials who use elections to legitimate themselves...Unfortunately, Iranians may never get to make the choice for themselves. The clerical-military clique currently exercising power is likely to drag Iran into conflict with other countries in the region. This could easily consolidate its legitimacy and power. Let us hope that the country's internal forces push for an evolution of the political system towards genuine rule of law and democracy first." (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405297020394690457430037408628267...)
Dashiell Shapiro wrote in the Christian Science Monitor "While Bush directed his rhetoric to the hard-liners in power, and scared them into adopting policies that would ultimately weaken their own legitimacy, Obama spoke directly to the people of Iran, letting them know that America was ready to begin a new relationship with them if they seized the opportunity.  This bad-cop/good-cop combination appears to have worked remarkably well, both among ordinary Iranians and among potential reform agents within the Iranian power structure. Yet many conservative pundits fail to acknowledge the wisdom of Obama's approach. Henry Kissinger once reminded us that "most foreign policies that history has marked highly, in whatever country, have been originated by leaders who were opposed by experts."  This appears to be the case with American policy towards Iran. The possible success of the Bush/Obama combination highlights an advantage America sometimes has in foreign policy over autocratic adversaries as a result of its democratic system. This advantage should be recognized and harnessed, rather than ignored amid partisan bickering."  (http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0727/p09s03-coop.html)
Meir JavedanfarIranian wrote in Real Clear World "President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made headlines again this week after the sacking of Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie, who had served as Iran's Intelligence Minister, along with the resignation of Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad-Hossein Saffar-Harandi.  Although Ahmadinejad has every reason to feel secure because of Supreme Leader Khamenei's backing of him in the recent elections, his recent actions show that he faces mounting challenges -- challenges he hopes to overcome by stamping his authority as president. Although he did receive overwhelming support from Khamenei, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wants to be seen as more than just the Supreme Leader's lackey, and he is not scared of taking on his own allies to prove it...What the West now must look out for is Ahmadinejad's choice for Foreign Minister. This will be the biggest indicator of the impact of Ahmadinejad's muscle flexing on Iran's relations with the outside world. Should current Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki stay, it would show that Ahmadinejad's focus has turned domestic, and that he does not feel challenged on foreign policy. Mottaki's presence in the foreign ministry would be a salute to the status quo in Iran...The most important matter for Iran's President is that he not take the Supreme Leader's support for granted. He may have received Khamenei's backing in the election; however, he does not have absolute power. Should he continue with his divisive and unilateralist politics, then the Supreme Leader could still allow for his removal. The Iranian President should realize that nothing in this world is certain, and all of his good fortune could quickly change." (http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2009/07/28/mahmoud_ahmadinejad_te...)
Kaveh Afrasiabi wrote in the Asia Times Online "The United States may think of Russia as a strategic partner when it comes to Iran. In reality, the geostrategic tensions between Washington and Moscow are still powerful enough to warrant a common approach by Russia and its eastern neighbor Iran with respect to a deterrent strategy towards the intrusive Western superpower. This week, a small but significant clue is on full display with joint Russia-Iran military exercises in the Caspian Sea involving some 30 vessels... It signals a new trend in Iran-Russia military cooperation...Despite all the ups and downs of Iran-Russia relations since then, the weight of geopolitical and geo-economic considerations on both countries has increasingly switched towards greater cooperation, much to the chagrin of Washington, which is keen on isolating 'nuclearizing Iran.'...The signal to Washington is that Russia does not tolerate any direct or indirect 'regime change' scenario with respect to Iran, a major pillar of anti-US sentiment in the region...Should Russia make good on its promise to put into operation the much-delayed Bushehr power plant that it is building in Iran, a good deal of present Iranian misgivings about Russia will disappear. After all, Russia is Iran's sole nuclear partner and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev openly rebuffed Obama's attempt, in his recent Moscow visit, to link a new arms limitation treaty with the issue of new sanctions on Iran." (http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KG30Ak01.html)