January 2004
Father of Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Development Program Dismissed
Abdul Qadeer Khan, a key figure in Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, was dismissed following investigations into potential sales of nuclear technology to Iran and Libya.…
Interior Minister of the Islamic Republic: There is no chance for holding legitimate elections
The Interior Minister has declared that the disqualification of reformist candidates by the Guardian Council undermines the legitimacy of upcoming elections. President Khatami's negotiations with…
Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Calls on Muslims to Reject Violence and Terrorism
The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, called on Muslims participating in the Hajj to denounce violence and terrorism. This statement comes amid…
Iran's Interior Minister Requests Delay of Parliamentary Elections
Iran's Interior Minister has requested a delay in parliamentary elections due to the disqualification of thousands of candidates, but the Guardian Council has rejected this…
Pakistan's Interior Minister: Abdul Qadeer Khan is neither a suspect nor in custody
Pakistan's Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat has denied allegations that Abdul Qadeer Khan is involved in transferring nuclear technology to other countries and is currently…
Report by Shahid: Interview with Ghafour Wahabi Regarding the Mojahedin Organization - 2004-01-29
The article features an interview with Ghafour Wahabi discussing a report from a French newspaper about the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization. This highlights ongoing international scrutiny…
Interview with Mr. Kahalzadeh, Activist of the Student Movement in Iran - 2004-01-29
The article features an interview with Mr. Kahalzadeh, a prominent figure in the Iranian student movement, discussing the implications of the upcoming parliamentary elections. This…
Guardian Council Approves 600 Candidates for Parliamentary Elections
The Guardian Council has approved 600 candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections, amidst widespread disqualifications. Reformist President Mohammad Khatami condemned the disqualifications and called for…
Israel has begun the release of approximately 400 Palestinians
Israel has initiated the release of around 400 Palestinians as part of a prisoner exchange deal mediated by Germany, linked to the identification of three…
Iranian Governors Call for Delay in Parliamentary Elections
Iranian governors are urging a postponement of parliamentary elections due to concerns over fairness after the disqualification of many reformist candidates. This situation has led…
Kharrazi: The Claims of Zakeri Are Not Credible - 2004-01-28
Kamal Kharrazi, Iran's Foreign Minister, questioned the credibility of Hamid Reza Zakeri, an Iranian witness set to testify in a German court about alleged connections…
Collaboration of Two Prominent Pakistani Nuclear Scientists in Transferring Nuclear Technology to Iran and Libya - 2004-01-28
Two prominent Pakistani nuclear scientists, Abdul Qadeer Khan and Muhammad Farooq, are implicated in transferring nuclear technology to Iran and Libya via a black market…
Mohammad Khatami Hopes All Representatives Will Be Approved
President Mohammad Khatami expressed hope that all unfairly disqualified candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections will be approved. The Guardian Council has disqualified a significant…
Musharraf: Sellers of Nuclear Technology Abroad Will Be Punished - 2004-01-27
President Musharraf has denied allegations of nuclear technology transfer to Iran and other countries while announcing severe punishments for Pakistani scientists involved in such sales.…
IRNA: Mohammad Khatami Did Not Accept Resignations of Government Officials - 2004-01-27
President Mohammad Khatami rejected the resignations of several senior officials who protested the disqualification of thousands of candidates for upcoming elections. This situation highlights tensions…
Pakistan's Investigation into Nuclear Technology Sales Limited to 7 Individuals - 2004-01-27
Pakistan's investigation into the sale of nuclear technology has focused on seven individuals, including key military and scientific figures. This is significant as it involves…
Agreement Between Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Mohammad Khatami to Resolve Crisis from Candidate Disqualifications - 2004-01-27
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami have reached an agreement to address the political crisis caused by the disqualification of over 3,000 reformist candidates.…
Under the Microscope: Continued Sit-ins and Divisions in the Second Khordad Front - 2004-01-27
Dr. Alireza Noori Zadeh discusses the contradictions in the Iranian government’s statements about elections and the ongoing sit-ins and divisions within the reformist Second Khordad…
Colin Powell: Russia Should Clarify Arms Sales to Iraq Before the War
Colin Powell urged Russia to clarify its arms sales to Iraq before the war, expressing willingness to discuss the matter with Russian officials. This statement…
Suspected Pakistani Scientists Will Face Harsh Punishments
The President of Pakistan announced that scientists suspected of selling nuclear technology for profit will be severely punished. General Musharraf denied allegations that Pakistan facilitated…
Nasrin Mahdavi Report: Exchange of Israeli and Hezbollah Prisoners - 2004-01-26
The report discusses the exchange of prisoners between Israel and Hezbollah, highlighting the ongoing tensions and negotiations between the two parties. This exchange is significant…
Mikhail Saakashvili, Newly Elected President of Georgia, Takes Office
Mikhail Saakashvili has officially taken office as the President of Georgia, promising to address corruption and poverty in the country. His inauguration is attended by…
Israel and Hezbollah Prepare for Prisoner Exchange After Three Years of Negotiation - 2004-01-25
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a prisoner exchange after three years of negotiations, involving the return of an Israeli businessman and the bodies of…
Iran's Parliament Approves Changes to Public Election Law - 2004-01-25
Iran's Parliament has passed amendments to the election law that limit the Guardian Council's ability to disqualify candidates, particularly targeting reformists. This change comes after…
Israel and Hezbollah to Exchange Prisoners by Thursday - 2004-01-25
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a prisoner exchange involving the return of an Israeli businessman and the bodies of Israeli soldiers in exchange for…
Georgia Officially Introduces Mikheil Saakashvili as the New President - 2004-01-25
Mikheil Saakashvili has been officially introduced as Georgia's new president following a peaceful revolution that led to the resignation of the former president. At 36,…
Arrest of a Former Taliban Governor
Pakistani security forces arrested Maulvi Abdul Manan Khwajazi, a former Taliban governor, in Chaman. His arrest is significant as it reflects ongoing efforts to combat…
Clashes in Shahrebabak, Kerman Province; Possible Civilian Casualties
Workers at the Khatunabad Copper Smelting Company in Shahrebabak, Kerman Province, went on strike due to layoffs, leading to violent clashes with riot police who…
U.S. Vice President Emphasizes the Need for Democracy in Iran - 2004-01-24
U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney called for the Iranian leadership to respond to the public's demand for democracy during a speech at the World Economic…
Nazi Baghlari's Report: 'Temporary Marriage' from the Perspective of an Iranian Girl with Three Different Cultures - 2004-01-24
Simin Farokhandeh, an Iranian girl with a multicultural background, shares insights about her fictional-documentary film on 'temporary marriage' in a conversation with journalist Nazi Baghlari.…
Under the Microscope: Mr. Khatami's Speech at the World Economic Forum
Mr. Khatami addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, discussing key issues facing Iran. Despite the ongoing protests by parliament representatives, public participation was…
Report by Nazi Baghlari: Interview with Spokesperson of Mohamed ElBaradei, Head of the IAEA - 2004-01-23
The spokesperson for the IAEA's head, Mohamed ElBaradei, commented on Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's claims that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons, expressing no surprise.…
Jannati: The Guardian Council Follows the Guidelines of Ayatollah Khamenei
Ahmad Jannati, a member of Iran's Guardian Council, stated that the council aims to rectify any potential errors in disqualifying parliamentary candidates. He emphasized that…
Khatami: Iran Has Never Sought to Acquire Weapons of Mass Destruction - 2004-01-22
Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, the Iranian President, asserted that Iran has never sought weapons of mass destruction during an interview at the World Economic Forum in…
John Ashcroft to Speak at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland - 2004-01-22
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, focusing on corruption and peace, respectively. Iranian…
In the country's political crisis, several Iranian government officials have resigned - 2004-01-21
Several Iranian government officials, including the Vice President, have resigned amid a political crisis following the Guardian Council's decision to accept some disqualified candidates for…
Mikhail Saakashvili: Georgia Wants Friendly Relations with Russia
Mikhail Saakashvili, the newly elected president of Georgia, expressed his desire for friendly relations with Russia and plans to meet with Vladimir Putin. He emphasized…
Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland - 2004-01-21
The World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos, Switzerland, with over 30 heads of state, including Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, expected to attend. Discussions…
Kuwait is Ready to Reduce Billions of Dollars in Iraq's Debt
Kuwait's Prime Minister announced the country's willingness to forgive part of Iraq's debt, contingent on parliamentary approval and the recognition of Iraq's government. This move…
Life and Progress in America: Interview with Mr. Mehdi Fakharzadeh - 2004-01-21
An interview with Mr. Mehdi Fakharzadeh discusses the efforts to help the earthquake victims in Bam, Iran. The program is part of a series by…
Israeli Warplanes Attack Hezbollah Targets in Southern Lebanon - 2004-01-20
Israeli warplanes have attacked Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon following the killing of an Israeli soldier by Hezbollah militants. The incident escalates tensions along the…
Guardian Council Approves Qualifications of About 200 Rejected Candidates
The Guardian Council has reinstated the qualifications of around 200 candidates previously disqualified from the parliamentary elections, following a directive from Ayatollah Khamenei. This decision…
Assistant to the Father of Pakistan's Atomic Bomb Arrested - 2004-01-19
Major Islam-ul-Haq, an assistant to Abdul Qadeer Khan, has been arrested as part of an investigation into the transfer of nuclear information to Iran. This…
Results of Pakistan's Investigation into Transfer of Nuclear Technology to Other Countries - 2004-01-19
The Pakistani government has concluded its investigation into allegations of nuclear technology transfer, finding no evidence of wrongdoing. This follows scrutiny from the International Atomic…
Destruction of an Israeli Military Vehicle by Hezbollah Lebanon - 2004-01-19
Hezbollah Lebanon announced the destruction of an Israeli military vehicle that crossed into Lebanon and claimed to have fired at Israeli jets in response to…
Mohammad Khatami's Political Party Threatens to Boycott Parliamentary Elections
Mohammad Khatami's political party threatens to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections unless the ban on reformist candidates is lifted. The Guardian Council has disqualified a…
Rocket Attack on Airbase in Eastern Afghanistan - 2004-01-17
A rocket attack occurred near Khost Airbase in eastern Afghanistan, with no casualties reported. This incident follows a previous attack where rockets landed inside the…
Head of Parliamentary Election Organizing Committee in Iran Threatens Resignation
The head of the election organizing committee in Iran has threatened to resign if candidate bans are not lifted, amid a political crisis following the…
Khamenei: The Guardian Council Should Reconsider!
Ayatollah Khamenei has urged the Guardian Council to reconsider its mass disqualification of reformist candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections, emphasizing the need for a…
Qom Students: We Will Resolve the Situation of the Sit-in Representatives!
A group of Qom seminary students and teachers gathered to demand action against sit-in representatives in parliament. They threaten to travel to Tehran if the…
Continuation of Sit-in by Reformist Members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly
Reformist members of the Iranian parliament are continuing their sit-in until they can ensure free and fair elections. They welcomed a directive from Ayatollah Khamenei…
Kayhan's Indifference to Khamenei - 2004-01-15
The conservative newspaper Kayhan has downplayed Ali Khamenei's recent remarks about the disqualification of election candidates, marking a shift in its usual practice of prominently…
Under the Microscope: Mr. Khatami Calls for an End to the Sit-in of Parliament Representatives
Former President Mohammad Khatami has called for an end to the sit-in by members of Parliament, while Western diplomats are worried about Iran's ongoing nuclear-related…
Guardian Council: We Will Not Surrender to Pressure
The Guardian Council of Iran has refused to reconsider its disqualification of thousands of reformist candidates for the parliamentary elections, asserting its legal and religious…
Islamic Republic State Television: Ayatollah Khamenei has asked the Guardian Council to reconsider its decision
Ayatollah Khamenei has urged the Guardian Council to review its disqualification of reformist candidates, which has led to a political crisis in Iran. The Guardian…
Meeting of the Prime Minister of Pakistan with the President of Afghanistan - 2004-01-13
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zafarullah Khan Jamali, met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to discuss border security and counter-terrorism efforts. This meeting signifies a…
Request for $11 Million to Assist Thousands of Sudanese Refugees - 2004-01-13
The UN World Food Programme has requested $11 million to help Sudanese refugees affected by the ongoing conflict in Darfur. The situation is dire, with…
Under the Microscope: Meeting of Iranian Governors with Ayatollah Khamenei - 2004-01-13
Iranian governors met with Ayatollah Khamenei to protest the Guardian Council's disqualification of numerous parliamentary candidates. Dr. Ali Reza Nourizadeh analyzes this meeting, highlighting its…
Report by Nazi Baghlari: Phone Conversation with Seyyed Hossein Khomeini - 2004-01-13
Nazi Baghlari conducted a phone interview with Seyyed Hossein Khomeini, the grandson of the late Ayatollah Khomeini, while he is in Qom. This conversation is…
Sharon: We are ready to negotiate with Syria if Damascus stops supporting terrorism - 2004-01-12
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon expressed willingness to negotiate peace with Syria if it stops supporting terrorism, particularly Hezbollah. This statement comes amid past failed…
Threat of Resignation by Iranian Governors - 2004-01-12
Governors in Iran have threatened to resign if the disqualification of 80 reformist lawmakers is not reconsidered. This situation arises from the Guardian Council's decision,…
Meeting of the Prime Minister of Pakistan with Hamid Karzai in Kabul - 2004-01-12
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zafarullah Khan Jamali, met with Afghan leader Hamid Karzai in Kabul to discuss border security and counter-terrorism efforts. They agreed…
Khamenei Does Not Intervene in Guardian Council's Decision to Disqualify Candidates - 2004-01-12
Ayatollah Khamenei has refused to intervene in the Guardian Council's decision to disqualify reformist candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections, stating that legal procedures must…
Talk, Questions and Answers, January 12: Conversation with Dr. Khosrow Akmal - 2004-01-12
On January 12, journalist Parichahr Farzam interviewed Dr. Khosrow Akmal regarding the disqualification of numerous candidates for the Iranian parliament. The discussion was followed by…
Report by Nasrin Mahdavi: Interview with Shahbaz Nakhaei on January 7, Women's Day
Nasrin Mahdavi conducts an interview with Shahbaz Nakhaei, a prominent figure among Iranian constitutionalists, in honor of Women's Day. The discussion highlights the significance of…
Guardian Council Rejects Qualifications of Many Reformist Parliamentarians for Next Month's Elections
The Guardian Council has disqualified many reformist parliament members from the upcoming elections, leading to protests in parliament. President Mohammad Khatami has urged calm and…
Kofi Annan Invites Senior Representatives of Coalition Forces - 2004-01-11
Kofi Annan has invited senior representatives of coalition forces to discuss the potential return of UN staff to Iraq on January 19 in New York.…
Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Iran - 2004-01-10
The foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran met in Tehran to discuss concerns over Kurdish autonomy in Iraq. Abdullah Gul and Kamal Kharrazi emphasized the…
Hezbollah Rally Against Renaming Khaled Islambouli Street
Hezbollah supporters in Tehran protested the renaming of Khaled Islambouli Street to Intifada, which they view as a concession to improving Iran-Egypt relations. The name…
New Findings on Mars as Reported by Iranian NASA Scientist - 2004-01-08
An interview was conducted with Firouz Naderi, a prominent Iranian scientist at NASA, discussing new discoveries on Mars. These findings are significant in the context…
Announcement of Final Voting Results in Georgia Delayed Until Friday
The final results of the Georgian elections may be delayed until Friday, with Mikheil Saakashvili poised for a significant victory. President Bush has congratulated Saakashvili…
Protests in Front of the French Embassy in Beirut - 2004-01-08
Thousands of Muslim women and girls protested in Beirut against France's proposed ban on headscarves in public schools. The protest was organized by Hezbollah and…
Baztab Reports Disqualification of Key Figures from the Participation Front
Baztab has reported the disqualification of prominent candidates from the Participation Front ahead of the seventh parliamentary elections, including key figures like Behzad Nabavi and…
Mikhail Saakashvili Moves Towards a Major Victory in the Georgian Presidential Election - 2004-01-07
Mikhail Saakashvili is poised for a significant victory in the Georgian presidential election, having received 96% of the votes counted so far. His leadership during…
Interview with Dr. Siamak Shojaei Regarding the 2004 Budget (Continued) - 2004-01-07
Dr. Siamak Shojaei discussed the 2004 budget presented by President Khatami to the Iranian parliament. The conversation included audience participation, allowing listeners to ask questions…
Meeting of the Presidents of India and Pakistan - 2004-01-05
Pervez Musharraf and Atal Bihari Vajpayee are meeting in Islamabad to discuss relations between India and Pakistan. This meeting comes after a period of heightened…
Opposition Leader's Likely Success in Georgian Presidential Elections
Mikheil Saakashvili, the opposition leader in Georgia, is projected to win over 85% of the votes in the presidential elections, with reports indicating he may…
Iran Prepares Satellite for Launch into Space
Iran's Minister of Defense announced plans to launch a domestically made satellite and rocket within 18 months. This initiative marks Iran's ambition to become the…
Egypt's Request to Iran to Change the Name of Khalid Islambouli Street
Egypt has requested Iran to change the name of a street honoring Khalid Islambouli, Sadat's assassin, as a condition for restoring diplomatic relations severed in…
Mikhail Saakashvili Becomes Presidential Candidate of Georgia
Mikhail Saakashvili has emerged as a leading candidate for the presidency of Georgia, following his role in the peaceful revolution that ousted former President Shevardnadze.…
Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, to Meet Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India, on Monday - 2004-01-04
Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, is set to meet with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Islamabad, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between…
Loya Jirga Representatives Approve New Constitution of Afghanistan - 2004-01-04
The Loya Jirga in Afghanistan has approved a new constitution, concluding intense debates among political factions. This constitution establishes a strong presidential system under interim…
Presidential Elections in Georgia Concluded - 2004-01-04
The presidential elections in Georgia have concluded with a strong turnout, likely favoring opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili, who previously led a peaceful revolution against the…
Tension at Azad University of Mashhad - 2004-01-03
Tensions erupted at Azad University of Mashhad after the Islamic Students Association held a conference, leading to confrontations with Basij members who accused the speakers…
Georgians Prepare for New Presidential Election - 2004-01-03
Georgians are gearing up for a presidential election to replace Eduard Shevardnadze, who resigned in November. Mikhail Saakashvili, a leading opposition figure, is favored to…
Report by Shahid: Complete Reconstruction of Bam City Before the End of Khatami's Second Presidential Term - 2004-01-02
President Khatami expressed optimism about the complete reconstruction of Bam City being finished before his second term ends. The article includes insights from Engineer Amir…
Interview with Dr. Fariborz Rais Dana about the Situation of the People and Children of Bam
Dr. Fariborz Rais Dana discusses the dire conditions faced by the residents and children of Bam, a city that has suffered significant devastation. This interview…
Ali Khamenei Attends Memorial Ceremony for Victims of Bam Earthquake
Ali Khamenei attended a memorial for the victims of the Bam earthquake, which claimed around 30,000 lives. Rescue efforts continue as survivors are being registered…
Memorial Service and Commemoration for Approximately 30,000 Victims of the Bam Earthquake
A memorial service was held in Bam for the victims of the devastating earthquake that killed approximately 30,000 people. Key figures, including Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani…