Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani told the West it must accept the nuclear fuel swap agreement as is. Russia’s envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference said the nuclear fuel swap deal is satisfactory. Iran’s envoy to Russia said Western sanctions are ineffective.
Iran presses opposition with attacks and jail time
Iran seen as using influence to help Iraq’s al-Maliki stay on as prime minister
Two Iranians detained in Iraq are freed as moms plea for release of American hikers in Iran
A UN sanctions loophole would allow Russia to transfer its S-300 missile defense system to Iran. The China National Petroleum Corporation will move ahead with planned oil and natural gas projects in Iran.
The Washington Post‘s David Ignatius has decided to inject himself into the recent policy debate over Iran’s new fuel-swap deal with Turkey. Ignatius is noted for having likened Iran’s negotiation style to the way drivers commute in Tehran — it’s aggressive, frantic, and busy. In his recent article titled “A diplomatic game of chicken with […]
The West’s new sanctions package may include measures to press Iran’s central bank. Tehran said it would back out of the fuel-swap deal if the UN passes new sanctions. A Russian nuclear official said Iran’s first nuclear power plant will be online by August.
The New York Times ran an interesting editorial today titled “Iran, the Deal and the Council.” After laying out the details of the recent nuclear fuel swap deal negotiated by Iran with Brazil and Turkey, the anonymous author offers some pointed commentary on the actual significance of the deal (if it comes to fruition) [emphasis […]
Major powers reached an agreement on the fourth round of sanctions against Iran. Tehran dismissed the new UN sanctions regimen, saying the sanctions will be “discredited.”
Big powers agree on Iran sanctions draft
US officials expressed skepticism over the proposed new Iranian fuel swap deal with Turkey. Ayatollah Khamenei called for Tehran to expand its ties in Africa. Iran expanded its non-oil export sector in the past quarter.
Nuclear fuel declaration by Iran, Turkey and Brazil
Iran™s nuke fuel deal: Breakthrough or bogus?
Iran creates illusion of progress in nuclear negotiations
Last week, the Hoover Institution at Stanford University hosted Fouad Ajami on its weekly interview program, Uncommon Knowledge. In one of the more interesting segments, interviewer Peter Robinson asked Dr. Ajami about the goals of the Iranian regime and what chances the opposition has of success: I’m worried about people who believe that Twitter and […]
Tehran agreed to Brazil’s proposal to send uranium to Turkey as part of a fuel swap. Ayatollah Khamenei urged unity in Muslim opposition to Israel. Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe arrived in Tehran for a state visit.
A ‘revolutionary court’ sentenced in absentia women’s rights activist Shadi Sadr and an associate to “to six years in jail and 74 lashes for acting against national security and harming public order.” Police also arrested a former member of parliament and opposition leader. Iran signed a trade deal with Brazil.
Iran’s Fars News Agency claimed an IAEA report would confirm the country has only pursued a civilian nuclear program. An influential radical cleric called for the creation of an Islamic United States that stretches from Afghanistan to Israel. A French academic accused of spying during the July 2009 protests will be released from custody.
Diplomats said Iran has continued to expand its uranium enrichment capabilities. China continues to push for a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear program. A Taiwanese businessman pled guilt to attempting to ship banned missile parts to Iran.
Crackdown on opposition appears under way In Iran
US intelligence officials believe Iran is allowing al Qaeda operatives based in the country to move freely into neighboring countries. Members of al Qaeda’s top leadership circles based in Iran, including Saif al Adel, al Qaeda’s top strategist, are thought to be free to travel to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
President Ahmadinejad told the US to “leave the region; leave Afghanistan; leave Iraq; withdraw to your borders and mind your own business.” An Afghan man assaulted Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran in Tehran. Seven foreign firms that have invested in Iran have received US government contracts.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said Iran needs to be able to hit “enemies’ capabilities … from long distances.” The Army’s top commander claimed it warned off a US military plane from Iranian exercises in the Persian Gulf. An Iranian court sentenced a Newsweek reporter in absentia to 13 years in jail and 74 lashes […]
The government hanged six drug dealers and five Kurdish activists over the weekend. Border guards seized six Iraqi boats and detained 12 crewmen, claiming they were spying. A top member of parliament said a nuclear fuel swap must take place on Iranian soil.
Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said the world should recognize Iran as a nuclear power. “You should regard the nuclearization of Iran as a bygone fact,” he said during a sermon broadcast nationally. “By God’s grace, Iran has entered the world countries’ nuclear club.”
President Ahmadinejad said Osama bin Laden is in Washington, DC, and not in Iran. Military forces carried out the second day of operations in the Persian Gulf. Russia said an attack on Iran would have “disastrous” consequences.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps will increase control of Iran’s energy sector. President Ahmadinejad said a new round of Western sanctions would ruin Iran’s relationship with the US. Brazil offered to mediate a nuclear fuel swap deal. Tehran began new “Velayat 89” war games in the Persian Gulf.
President Ahmadinejad called for the UN to reprimand the US for nuclear aggression. US Secretary of Defense Gates said Iran is seeking to challenge US naval supremacy in the Persian Gulf. The Iranian navy announced new war games will commence in the next few weeks.
President Ahmadinejad said “Iran does not need to gain the West’s trust.” Ahmad Motamehdi, a former reformist minister, was wounded in knife attack. Iran will launch two telecommunication satellites in 2010.
Kuwaiti members of parliament demanded that an Iranian envoy be expelled for running a spy network; a top Islamic Revolution Guards Corps denied that Iran ran agents in Kuwait. Defense officials claimed Iran has developed a short range anti-cruise missile defense system.