Iran news headlines on Monday include Poll representing Americans, Canadians oppose nuclear Iran, quitting Ehud Barak from politics, Iran taking over GECF presidency, Spain raiding company over suspected Iran exports, Iran luanching missile-equipped Sina-7 navy in near future, A Palestinian militant leader statements on Iran's president calling him to praise the performance of his group.
World can't tolerate nuclear-capable Iran, poll finds
The vast majority of Canadians and Americans think that the world can't accept a nuclear-armed Iran, states a new poll. Nine out of ten people polled in both countries said they agreed with the statement "the world cannot tolerate an Iran with nuclear weapons capability," shows an Ipsos Reid survey conducted on behalf of The Munk Debates. Just over 2,000 Canadians and Americans were polled.
Israel's Barak, architect of Iran policy, quitting politics
Israel’s Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday he was quitting politics, a surprise decision that deepens uncertainty over how Israel will confront Iran’s nuclear programme. Barak’s political fortunes appeared to be on the rise after Israel’s eight-day offensive in the Gaza Strip ended in a truce, but polls predicted his centrist party, a junior partner in right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, would win no more than four seats in Israel’s 120-member parliament.
Iran takes over GECF presidency
Iran has been named the new chairing country of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and will host the GECF summit in 2013, the Mehr News Agency reported. Leaders of the world's biggest gas suppliers ended their first summit in Doha, Qatar, on November 13 by reiterating the need for a fair gas price while Iran, whose president was absent, warned that Western taxation will derail the energy market.
Spain raids company over suspected Iran exports
Spanish authorities say they have raided a company they suspect was exporting machinery to Iran that could be used in Tehran's nuclear program. The Finance Ministry said in a statement Monday that the company is suspected of sending to Iran, via Turkey, machines for the manufacture of turbine propellers used in energy generation.
Iran to launch missile-equipped Sina-7 navy in two days
Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said during a press conference in Tehran that Iran will launch its Sina-7 navy on Nov.28. According to the IRNA report, Sayyari added that Sina-7 navy is equipped with missiles. "The second development stage of the Sahand destroyer will be inaugurated on the same day", Iranian Navy Commander Sayyari said.
AP interview: Gaza Militant Group wins Iran praise
A Palestinian militant leader says Iran's president has called him to praise the performance of his group, the Islamic Jihad, in the recent fighting against Israel. Ramadan Shallah told The Associated Press that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad offered congratulations on Sunday in phone calls to him and to Hamas' prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh. Shallah says Iran supported Palestinians "military and financially" during the eight-day fighting.