Iran lashes out at EU for blocking its satellite channels

Authorities in Tehran slammed the EU over its gagging of 19 Iranian satellite channels which coincided with the latest round of sanctions, one of the toughest yet. The shutdown is a big attack on freedom of speech, analyst Chris Bamberry told SW.

France’s Eutelsat and UK’s Arqiva satellite providers made a decision to stop broadcasting the Iranian state TV channels on Monday.

The news outlets that were blocked included Press TV in English and Al-Alam in Arabic.

The shutdown came shortly after the European Union imposed fresh sanctions against Iran including an embargo on the import of the country’s natural gas.

Mohammed Sarafraz, vice-president of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), has slammed the decision to stop broadcasting the 19 channels as “political”.

He told the Business Recorder that “the contract was still valid, and Eutelsat broke the contract between us unilaterally and without legal justification," adding that IRIB lawyers were planning to launch a formal complaint.

Press TV says that in a separate statement emailed to them, Arqiva said that the decision was made by the EU Council.

“We terminated the contracts because it was the order of the European Commission. We have to follow it,” Karen Badalov, area management of Eutelsat SA, reportedly told Press TV.

‘Snuffing out’ alternative view on Iran

Speaking to SW, political analyst Chris Bamberry said that the EU’s move is basically a major blow to freedom of speech.

SW: The fresh sanctions don’t target the media, so why this ban on Iranian broadcasters, and why now?

Chris Bamberry: I think you don’t have to be a conspiracy theorist to think that by banning Iranian media, 19 TV and radio stations from access to Europe, it does look like you further step to the military intervention against Iran, given it happens on the same day that the EU imposes further sanctions on Iran, and against a background of a continuing military buildup by America with its British and French allies in the Persian Gulf. And the siren calls from Tel Aviv for America’s action against Iran.

Therefore, it seems to me a further ramping-up of this, and the decision to withdraw access was taken not just by private satellite companies but, as the Iranians were told, by the European Council of Foreign Ministers, at the highest level – perhaps by the European Commission. The European parliament has no powers to overturn this decision.

It seems to me a significant attack on freedom of speech. What they’re trying to do is snuff out an alternative view on Iran being offered to people in Europe, as opposed to a view that is force-fed, which is that Iran is a terror state, which is out of control and a danger. And of course we’re also going to be denied the fact that Iran is offering concessions and compromising all the nuclear issue. Not quite as it’s painted by the West.

SW: So why is it being ignored that Iran is offering concessions, that they’re actually saying, “We will be flexible now in these nuclear talks.” You talk about the military buildup, about the sanctions continuing – why are all those gestures being ignored then?

CB: I think that Americans have got a regime change in Iran in their minds. I don’t think that they will take any military action due to the presidential election, but I don’t think we can underestimate the hatred the Americans have for the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a consequence of the 1979 revolution, the overthrow of the Shah, their key ally in the Middle East; the seizure of the embassy, the CIA headquarters was in Tehran, and the hostage crisis was a humiliation for the Americans. So I think you can’t underestimate the determination of the Americans to get revenge on Iran. The constant buildup going ahead in the Persian Gulf is an excellent way for this to be happening!

SW: You’d think the impetus of that regime change come from within the country. And yet we’ve seen anti-American and pro-nuclear rallies in Iran lately. Experts say there are traditional pro-Western middle class turning on to Washington. So this is where we could see it all backfiring, isn’t it?

CB: I think it happens because the West, as usual, do not look into their own history. And look at how Iranians see the West. In 1953, there was a coup orchestrated by the British to overthrow a democratically-elected government in Iran, which had the temerity to nationalize the Anglo-American oil companies in the country. They remember the Shah of Iran was installed by the British and Americans. They remember the torture and the repression under the Shah, [who] was backed by the British and Americans. They remember that the Shah was encouraged to have a nuclear program! It was allowed under the Shah, but not now. And the Iranian nationalism is that Iranians don’t like being told that they can’t do something by former colonial powers. And therefore, it has become a touchstone for national pride. Even among those who aren’t enthusiastic about Ahmadinejad regime.

Report revives speculations on Azerbaijan-Israel plot against Iran

Israel might resort to Azerbaijan’s strategic geographic position to strike Iran’s atomic sites, Reuters has reported, reviving rumours officially denied by both Israel and Azerbaijan.

­Leaked intelligence from two former Azeri military officers with links to serving personnel and two Russian intelligence sources all told Reuters that Baku and Tel Aviv are considering the Azeri bases for military use against Tehran.

If Tel Aviv is to act without Washington’s support, the Israeli war plan would need to compensate for the handicap of acting alone – notably carrying out long-range reconnaissance, bombardment and rescue missions.

Such a possibility could potentially be drawing near as last week Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the UN’s General Assembly that Tehran is only a year away from the "red line" for atomic capacity.

Washington has on numerous occasions stressed that the time for diplomacy and sanctions to deal with Iran has not run out. Israel continues to lobby for a potential military solution to concerns over Iran’s atomic facilities; something that many analysts believe will have dire consequences for the region.

Nevertheless, a member of the Azeri parliament's foreign affairs committee admitted to Reuters that Israel would need Baku’s support if it were to attack Iran as it would face a “refuelling” problem if it goes so far as taking the military option.

“I think their plan includes some use of Azerbaijan access,” Rasim Musabayov added. “We have (bases) fully equipped with modern navigation, anti-aircraft defenses and personnel trained by Americans and if necessary they can be used without any preparations.”

But officials in Azerbaijan’s president office have denied the speculation.

"No third country can use Azerbaijan to perpetrate an attack on Iran,” said Reshad Karimov from President Aliyev's staff.

Yet, in February Israeli defense officials confirmed a 2011 deal to sell to Azerbaijan 60 drones as well as antiaircraft and missile defense systems for some $1.6 billion.

"With these drones, (Israel) can indirectly watch what's happening in Iran, while we protect our borders," Musabayov says.

One of the sources linked to the Azeri military reportedly said: “There is not a single official base of the United States and even less so of Israel on the territory of Azerbaijan. But that is 'officially'. Unofficially they exist, and they may be used.”

The Reuters’ source also claimed that Iran was the main topic of discussion during Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman’s visit in April.

But this spring, Baku firmly denied reports that an agreement has been reached between Azerbaijan and Israel, granting the latter air base access for potential strikes on Iran. A spokesman from the Azeri defense ministry earlier refuted these claims as “absurd and groundless.” Those statements came on the back of a Foreign Policy report that claimed cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel was "heightening the risks of an Israeli strike on Iran".

Azeri- Iran relation have seen better days. An Azeri-language television channel which is streamed by Tehran portrays president Aliyev as a puppet of Israel and the West. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan sees Iranian hands behind its Islamist opposition and both countries have arrested alleged spies.

“We live in a dangerous neighbourhood,” one presidential aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. “That’s the most powerful driving force behind our relationship with Israel.”

The followinng report is from Russian Media the Mouthpiec of Putin & Lavrov who are th emain supporters of Assad and his Rhugs of his Murderous Armed Forces

Aleppo blame game: Conflicting reports from the ground in Syria

Syrian opposition fighters battle government security forces (unseen) during the siege of the Shaar district police station in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo

Syria’s main commercial hub, Aleppo, was rocked with violent clashes overnight, but there are conflicting reports as to who was responsible for the fighting. Mainstream media is siding with the rebels, while witnesses say the rebels are to blame.

­Mainstream media outlets report the Syrian regime is gearing for a “massacre,” as it launches deadly ground and air attacks on rebels.

According to AP, military helicopters pounded the city early Saturday morning, in an effort to clear the area of anti-Assad forces once and for all.

"Helicopters are participating in clashes at the entrance of Salaheddine district and bombarding it. There are also violent clashes at the entrances to Sakhour district," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told Reuters.

But others say the clashes began after rebels attacked government buildings in the area.

Sarkis Kassargian, a reporter for Al-Khabar TV, told RT,“Last night, rebels attacked government buildings and police and intelligence centers in Aleppo. But they didn’t succeed to control any of those places. Attacks and clashes then occurred, but the Syrian army was acting in defense.”

Three rebel fighters were killed in the fighting on Saturday, and 160 were killed on Friday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

But Kassargian says those deaths were due to the rebels’ own actions. 

“Any deaths that took place would have been a result of the rebels’ attacking government buildings in the region,” says Kassargian.

It is a far cry from mainstream media reports, which say government troops attacked rebel forces without provocation.

He says rebel forces have now taken control of the neighborhoods of Al Hadi and Al Saher.

While mainstream media reports that residents of Aleppo are fleeing the city in droves, RT’s source maintains this is not the case.

“Right now, there is no movement from government forces. Some families and residents in Aleppo are leaving the city, but most people are just moving to safer areas within the area, such as a local school and university. The Red Cross is standing by to help those seeking shelter,” Kassargian said.

Aleppo is seen as a key city in the rebels’ fight against Assad’s forces.

The city is Syria’s economic hub, and both sides feel they need it to win the fight. All eyes are seemingly on Aleppo, as rebels and forces loyal to Assad struggle to gain the upper hand.

Aleppo sits on the border with Turkey – a country which has shown recent support for Syrian rebels.

With the help of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Turkey recently set up a secret anti-Assad base in Adana, 100km from the border.

The base devises tactics and supplies weapons for the uprising, according to Reuters.

But Turkey is not the only country taking an interest in the fight against Bashar al-Assad, which concerns the Kremlin.

Russia has warned of a “tragedy” in Aleppo, saying international support for the rebels would lead to “more blood.”

During a statement at a news conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Syrian government could not be expected to stand by while rebel forces occupy Aleppo and other areas throughout the country.

“Our Western partners, together with some of Syria's neighbors, are essentially encouraging, supporting and directing an armed struggle against the regime,” said Lavrov.

Several Western countries have supplied the Syrian rebels with communication devices which have served to boost the rebel forces’ fighting power, says security analyst Charles Shoebridge.

“There has been an enormous increase in the capabilities of the armed opposition and it’s down to issues like organization – which depends on communication. The Syrian government is responding in a way that any government would do if faced with a situation of urban warfare,” Shoebridge said.

Putin’s Mouthpiece - Russian Media Bullshit & Propaganda ‘World being readied for aggression against Syria’

An image released by Higher Committee of the Syrian Revolution allegedly shows shelling by government forces of the Bab Drib neighbourhoods in the flashpoint central Syrian city of Homs.

World opinion is being orchestrated towards a military operation against the Syrian regime, researcher and author F. William Engdahl told RM. Still, any decisive action against Assad will be postponed until after the US presidential election.

­The international forces supporting regime change in Syria are continuing to mount pressure on the Assad regime, whipping up the fact that the country possesses chemical weapons. Despite the Syrian government's firm assurance these weapons will never be used in the internal conflict, countries supporting Syrian opposition are openly discussing plans to take Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles under their control.

Since control could be established only by physical presence of some sort of military force at the sites where the weapons are kept, foreign intervention into the country would be necessary.

Syria's ex-ambassador to Iraq, who defected to the opposition, has claimed the Assad regime may have already used chemical weapons.

F. William Engdahl, the author of "Myths, Lies and Oil Wars" says all allegations the chemical weapons in Syria have already been used – or will be in the future – serve the single purpose of paving the way for intervention.

Chemical weapons are not precise and could not be used in residential quarters where most of the fighting in Syria is going on. They are “for huge battle field conditions,” insists Engdahl, because “you’ll [poison] your supporters as well as Al-Qaeda mercenaries,” he explains.

Actually, the situation with chemical weapons in Syria is a déjà vu of the hysteria over the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq a decade ago, believes the researcher.

“I smell a re-run of the old Pentagon scenario that Dick Cheney and friends ran to justify the war in Iraq,” Engdahl states. “And now they’re trying to do that with the chemical warfare weapons of mass destruction in Syria, to create a climate that this is the most pressing thing on the face of the Earth. And this is simply not the case.”

The historian wonders how many times it will take for people to wise up to the fact that the WMD hysteria was scripted in the RAND Corporation (American think tank) for Pentagon which put it into its “how-to” manuals.

“They are just toppling one regime after another to create their ‘grand design’. This is not the way toward democracy. This is a way toward a one superpower tyranny,” slams Engdahl.

The efforts to expose the Assad regime as a brutal one are going along the same lines as the media smear campaign against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in Libya a year ago. Just like in Libya, the Syrian regime is now being accused of using fighter jets against rebels, without any evidence whatsoever being produced. In Libya the alleged use of its air force led to a UN-sanctioned no-fly zone over the country and ultimately the direct military interference of Western democracies into the internal conflict of a sovereign state.

“We’re just watching the orchestration of images being played on to the world opinion,” acknowledged Engdahl. “This is exactly what happened in Libya –‘we must do something’ and ‘humanitarian intervention’ and so forth,” he explained. “Frankly, I don’t think that that is a reality.”

Engdahl believes that “establishing a no-fly zone over Syria now is not feasible given the massive and effective aircraft defenses that Syria has.”

The Syrian conflict will be kept “on a hot burn” until after the presidential elections in the US, he shared.

“Whether Israel, for reasons of its own, in wanting to tip the US elections toward Mitt Romney and away from Obama – whom [Israeli PM Benjamin] Netanyahu despises personally and politically – that I can’t say. I’m not privileged to have inside information on Israeli intent, if they are going to try to hot up this chemical weapons scenario to create the rush toward war,” said Engdahl.

“I think we’re going to see a huge escalation of all of this after the November elections and January oath of office of the next US president,” he concluded. “Obama doesn’t want this breaking into an open war before the election. The last thing American voters want to see is another Iraq or Afghanistan on their doorstep.”

Adilf Putin's Mouthpiece, Russian Media - ‘Ready-to-quit’ Assad sparks media rumor frenzy

Bashar Assad is ready to leave power, while his wife Asma has fled to Russia - these are just some of the rumors circulating amid the Syrian conflict, as it enters a new stage. Russia has called on the media not to fall into "disinformation traps".

On Friday morning, Russian Ambassador to France Aleksandr Orlov gave an interview to French radio station RFI. In it, he said that following recent talks in Geneva, the Syrian President is “ready for negotiations. He is prepared to hand over power, but in a civilized manner.”

Orlov then claimed “I believe it will be difficult for Assad to stay in power.”

A hungry news media pounced on the interview, which was seen as a major shift in Russia’s stance. Previously, Moscow had insisted that Assad shouldn’t necessarily be forced to hand over power – and definitely not ahead of any transition negotiations.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry was immediately forced into making a statement.

“The ambassador’s words were misinterpreted, and pulled out of context,” said the ministry's twitter account.

"The Syrian people are the only ones who can decide on the future of the Syrian Arab Republic, including the fate of its leaders. This is clearly stated in the Geneva declaration adopted on June 30."

Orlov also clarified his comments, saying that he felt that Assad may be prepared to quit, but only “as a result of negotiations.”

This closely matches Syria’s own position. Assad gave an interview last week in which he said that he was prepared to sit down and talk with the rebels, and step down if he no longer has the “confidence of his people.”

Another widely reported story claims that Asma Assad, Syria's first lady, who holds British citizenship, left for Moscow in the wake of the explosion that killed Syria’s top security officials.

“I believe this is a mendacious disinformation trap,” an indignant Aleksandr Lukashevich, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry representative, told journalists during a Q&A session. “I advise you not to fall into it.”

­

Fog of war fuels rumor machine

Together with China, Russia has played a major part in opposing the West’s position regarding the civil war in Syria, which has killed more than 16,000 since breaking out in 2011. Many in the Western media tie Russia’s position to Assad’s future. There is little doubt that during a recent upsurge in fighting around Syria’s capital, journalists are looking for signs that the situation is shifting.

Another problem appears to be a lack of information from Damascus itself. A lack of a comprehensive descriptions of the circumstances of the explosion that killed Assad’s top lieutenants on Wednesday has given birth to outlandish rumors, including speculation that the ministers were poisoned by Assad himself.

Another rumor claims that Assad was wounded in another rebel attack. The rumor gained currency when Assad did not make a public appearance in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday’s blast, but was quickly dispelled when he swore in the new Defense Minister on TV.

Even Assad’s physical whereabouts have not been established, as some believe he has left his residence in Damascus to go to the Alawite stronghold of Latakia, where he enjoys the greatest support.

As the world press' insistent gaze seeks exclusives while being multiplied by scant information, it is likely that these rumors will persist and grow as long as fighting continues in Syria.

Boeing Offers Medium-sized Maritime Surveillance Aircraft

Boeing today announced that it is offering a medium-sized Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) to the global market. MSA builds on technologies developed for Boeing's larger Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms to provide a highly capable, low-risk and cost-effective ISR solution.

"The Boeing Maritime Surveillance Aircraft directly applies advanced, proven and fielded capabilities from our P-8, Airborne Warning and Control System, and Airborne Early Warning and Control programs to solve our international customers' maritime surveillance challenges," said Tim Peters, Boeing vice president and general manager, Surveillance and Engagement. "We've selected a preferred aircraft and are in discussions with a manufacturer about supplying and modifying their aircraft. We hope to have an announcement on that element by the end of this year."

MSA incorporates best-of-industry sensor capabilities in radar, electro-optics, and electronic warfare. Its proven open-architecture design will allow for commonality across customers, missions, and industry partners. MSA will support a wide variety of missions, including anti-piracy, immigration patrols, economic exclusion zone enforcement, coastal and border security, and long range search and rescue.

Boeing's research indicates that the maritime surveillance market will be worth more than $10 billion over the next 10 years. The company has nearly 60 years of experience in providing maritime surveillance solutions.

"The Boeing Maritime Surveillance Aircraft showcases how Boeing is meeting customers' current and future needs by migrating advanced, mature technologies from one program into adjacent markets, even with non-Boeing platforms," Peters added. "MSA brings everything we've learned about commercial derivative programs to another tier of the international marketplace."

Assange ordered to UK police station: First step in extradition process

London police have issued an order for whistleblower Julian Assange to appear at a police station to begin the extradition process. The Wikileaks founder is in the Ecuadorian embassy, appealing for asylum on grounds of political persecution.

London Metropolitan police delivered an order calling for the Australian to come to Belgravia police station in central London on Thursday.

Assange is currently liable for arrest by the UK police should he leave the embassy on the basis that he violated his bail conditions.

He arrived at the Ecuadorian Embassy last Tuesday, appealing for Asylum from the country’s government. Assange hopes to sidestep his removal to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning over allegations of sexual abuse.

He has voiced fears that Stockholm may turn him over to US jurisdiction where he could be tried on charges of espionage. The publishing of thousands of diplomatic wires on the Wikileaks site prompted a wave of aggressive rhetoric from US politicians branding the whistleblower as a terrorist.

The Ecuadorian government has said that it is no hurry to reach a conclusion over Assange’s appeal. President Rafael Correa stressed his government was considering the legal and political consequences of granting asylum and that it had not set a deadline for the decision. He has recalled the UK ambassador to Ecuador to assess the situation.

"We will come to a decision as a sovereign nation which doesn't exclude the possibility of consulting with friendly nations," said the president on Tuesday.

Julian Assange said that he sought protection from the Ecuadorian government because he had been abandoned by Canberra.

The Australian government disputes this, arguing that they are powerless to intervene as he has broken no Australian laws.

Asssange has maintained throughout the drawn-out trial that the allegations set against him are depthless and politically-motivated