US Takes Iranian Diplomats Hostage

On Jan, 10, 2007, U.S. President Bush stated signaled a tough stance on Iran, whom he accused of destabilizing Iraq. The following day US troops in Irbil raided a building Iran said was a consulate, arresting five men. Iran demanded the release of the five Iranians claimed as diplomats but the U.S. government said they were Revolutionary Guards arming Shiite Iraqi fighters.
On Feb, 6, 2007 armed gunmen kidnapped Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary of the Iranian embassy in Baghdad. The gunmen wore uniforms of a special Iraqi unit under U.S. direction. Although the U.S. military denied any involvement in the kidnapping, after his release on April 3, the diplomat reported he was tortured by CIA operatives. According to Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S. government violated all international and diplomatic norms by launching such operations resulting in negative impacts on diplomatic norms around the world. The 15 British sailors captured by Iran on March, 23, were released on April, 4, leading to speculation that there was a connection in the events, though all governments officially deny it.
On Jul, 9, 2009, US authorities released the five diplomats: Mohsen Bagheri, Mahmoud Farhadi, Majid Ghaemi, Majid Dagheri and Abbas Jami after 910 days of imprisonment. The US said this action was required under a U.S-Iraq agreement. (Updated: Aug, 30, 2009)

Shahram Jazayeri Escapes The Prison

Shahram Jazayeri, a high profile prisoner whose name was associated with financial corruption and bribing of top officials escaped while being taken for investigation about a property. Accompanied by two guards, he suddenly vanished near his apartment in Ecbatan district of Tehran. The escape sent a shock wave among Iranians debating healthiness of the judicial system. The authorities gave contradicting statements adding further to public suspicion. Several officials were forced to resign including the head of the notorious Evin prison. During Norooz holidays, the news of his arrest in Oman was announced. He had reportedly escaped to Dubai on a fake passport. After receiving a tip, two Iranian police officers showed up at the hotel were Jazayeri was residing but he evaded the arrest. Being chased by the Interpol, he finally got arrested in Oman and brought back to Iran on a private jet plane. Many of vital questions regarding how's and why's of his escape still remain a mystery. Some rumors indicate that his term is just a formality and that his strong relations have guaranteed him a luxurious life in prison just like the former Tehran mayor, Gholamhossein Karbaschi.
On the other hand, reports of human rights violations, and abuse of political prisoners and rights activists continue to fill pages of the regime's workbook. As a matter of fact, the last word in the Islamic Republic of Iran is Connections which stands well above laws, rules and regulations. (Updated: Mar, 28, 2008)

15 British Soldiers Seized In Iranian Waters

Iranian naval forces seized British sailors and marines who were reportedly in Iran waters. Iran's Revolutionary Guard naval corps, which operates separately from Iran's navy, was involved in this operation. After heavy diplomatic traffic and media coverage, on April, 4th, the Britons were released after 15 days, wearing suits, rather than the military uniform they wore before. The one female crew member, Faye Turney, had a headscarf. An hour after their release, 4 British soldiers were killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb attack. The British had previously claimed that they were in Iraqi waters until adequate proof by Iranian authorities was presented to show otherwise. In several TV interviews, the soldiers admitted being in Iranian waters. 150 years ago, the Anglo-Persian war resulted in Herat to be separated from Iran. (Updated: Jan, 12, 2008)

UNSC Resolution #1747: Second Sanctions

Following the resolution #1737, the UNSC resolution #1747 which was passed on March, 24, 2007 was built on its previous decision to impose sanction on Tehran by banning arms exports from Iran and freezing financial assets some individuals and entities. The resolution takes into account some of the concerns expressed by South Africa, Indonesia and Qatar, such as the acknowledgment that all parties to the NPT, including Iran, have a right to peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The resolution also includes mechanisms for future negotiation with Iran and a nuclear-free Middle East.
On Feb, 22, 2008 IAEA report, submitted to UNSC on Iran’s nuclear program stated that Iran had answered many key questions on the development of a weapons program over US allegations that they attempt to enrich uranium and develop nuclear missile heads. Iran described US accusations as baseless, although the third UNSC resolution on March, 3, 2008 proved that Iran was almost alone in the international political scene and that a minority of hardliners were jeopardizing the future of the nation. A test of time for Iranian leaders. (Updated: Mar, 5, 2008)

• Revolutionary Guards : سپاه پاسداران
• Mahmoud Farhadi : محمود فرهادي
• Mohsen Bagheri : محسن باقري
• Jalal Sharafi : جلال شرفي
• Majid Dagheri : مجيد داغري
• Majid Ghaemi : مجيد قائمي
• Evin Prison : زندان اوين
• Middle East : خاورميانه
• Abbas Jami : عباس جمي
• President : پرزيدنت
• Persian : فارسي(Farsi,Parsi) ايراني پارسي
• Islamic : اسلامي
• Baghdad : بغداد
• British : انگليسي
• Iranian : ايراني‌ اهل‌ ايران‌ ، وابسته‌به‌ ايران‌
• Norooz : نوروز(Nowrooz, Noruz)
• Tehran : تهران(Teheran, Tahran) طهران
• Second : دوم
• Shiite : شيعه(Shia, Shi'a)
• Dubai : دوبي(Dubayy)
• Qatar : قطر
• South : جنوب
• Herat : هرات
• Guard : گارد
• Abbas : عباس
• IAEA : آژانس انرژي اتمي
• East : شرق
• Iran : ايران
• Iraq : عراق(Al Aragh)
• Oman : عمان
• CIA : سيا(C.I.A.)
• NPT : ان پي تي قرارداد منع گسترش سلاحهاي اتمي
• US : ايالات متحده

Latest Additions to Iranian History Chronicle: