World Press on Iran, Turkey and the Caucasus (July 15, 2011)

The Washington Post reported that Iranian-Americans from northern California and their supporters are planning a demonstration in front of the State Department building. They’re seeking more aggressive support from the American government democratic changes in their home country. The protest begins at 11 a.m. Friday.

The Iranian information agency Press TV published the article headlined “Iran to build new frigates, submarines.” It says that Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says the country has taken major strides towards constructing new flying boats, including frigates, while planning to manufacture new arms. Iran has also launched the construction of various navigation and control systems and will begin production of the remaining parts in a near future, IRNA quoted Vahidi as saying on Friday. He lauded the first international engagement of the Iranian submarine Yunes and said, “The move was a very significant step in displaying Iran's naval power.” The minister stated that the move reflected a proof that Iran is making great progress towards the achievement of its objectives in the naval field.

The same agency reported that Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has denounced “serial bomb blasts” that struck various parts of the Indian port city of Mumbai. In a Friday statement, Mehmanparast said presence of foreign powers and their “misguided” approaches are the root cause of terrorism in the region. On Wednesday, three simultaneous blasts at crowded locations in south and central Mumbai, India's commercial capital, killed 18 and injured 131 others, 23 of them seriously, including some that have been described as in critical condition. Following the deadly blasts, India's home ministry has confirmed it as a terrorist attack and put the city on high alert.

The Turkish information agency Hurriyet reported that in Turkey The Democratic Society Congress, or DTK, declared “democratic autonomy” during an extraordinary congress with 850 delegates in Diyarbakır on Thursday and invited Kurds to introduce themselves as democratically autonomous Kurdistan citizens. Deputies of pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, mayors and some members of nongovernmental organizations participated in the congress organized by the DTK in a BDP building in Diyarbakır. The DTK is an umbrella organization for pro-Kurdish groups. The final declaration was read by an independent deputy from Van, Aysel Tuğluk after the six-hour meeting.