Oil Squattin' Mullahs

Iran is not a terrorist nation. Not at all.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A Dubai-based newspaper said Sunday it stands by a story in which it quoted Iran's president as saying he might curtail oil sales if his nation is referred to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions over its nuclear program.

However, the Khaleej Times acknowledged that the confusion might have arisen because the reporter, a freelance journalist, told the president she was working for another paper.

After the story quoting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appeared Saturday, the president's office issued a statement saying he "never had an interview, either oral or written" with the newspaper.

On Sunday, the Khaleej Times acknowledged that the confusion might have arisen because the reporter, a freelance journalist, told the president she was working for another paper.

Hmmmm... Clandestine, illegal nuclear program; threats of a suspension on oil exports if held accountable for said clandestine, illegal nuclear program... Sounds like some pretty bad operators to me. Then again, what would I know; I'm just a historian with a good working knowledge of recent Iranian history.