Darius Mirzai

As the international community keeps the door open for diplomacy, leaders in Tehran up the rhetoric by a few notches. A bluff? Still a reason to worry.

Benedict XVI is accused of "Islamophobia" and collusion with Bush and Blair. The Pope's ecumenism is resented as a threat to Islam, but especially as a judgement on the bad relations between Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq and Iran.

In the eyes of many Iranians, Benedict XVI enjoys considerable moral prestige for his criticism of the links between religion and violence. But Christians face the threat of increased marginalization.

After supplying Hezbollah with modern (probably Russian-made) weapons, Tehran celebrates the victory of the Party of God. Lebanon is the first victim of Iran's plans to lead a worldwide jihad.

Lawyers and human rights organizations are pleading for the life of Asharf Kalhori, accused of adultery and condemned to be stoned. The regime aggravates cruel death penalties to create more tension with the west.

For its ayatollahs, Iran is the "most powerful and zealous" country, at the centre of international political and religious debate. But in the country, ever more isolated, the fear of war is growing while the economy and freedom are suffocated.