The Bush administration, shunning pressure from allies for direct dialogue with Iran, is shifting toward a more confrontational stance and intensifying efforts to undercut the country’s ruling clerics.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Split emerges in West’s front against Iran: diplomats
The European Union and Washington are split over an EU proposal to offer Iran a generous package of incentives including nuclear reactors and security pledges if it stops enriching uranium, diplomats said on Saturday.
Democrats Seek Iran Intelligence Estimate
Senate Democrats, saying they want to “avoid repeating mistakes made in the run-up to the conflict in Iraq,” sent President Bush a letter Friday urging him to direct agencies to prepare an updated National Intelligence Estimate on Iran
Iran Considering Law Against Western Attire
Iran’s parliament is debating a draft law that would discourage women from wearing Western clothing, increase taxes on imported clothes and fund an advertising campaign to encourage citizens to wear Islamic-style garments.
U.S. Seeks to Curb Iran With Neighbors’ Help
Opening a new front in its effort against Iran, the Bush administration has begun developing a containment strategy with the Islamic state’s Persian Gulf neighbors that aims to spread sophisticated missile defense systems across the region and to interdict ships carrying nuclear technology to the country.
