The UN human rights chief criticized Iran for its human rights record after the June 12, 2009, election. Tehran has been accused of exercising influence in Iraq’s federal elections. China, Turkey, and Brazil are urging the US to slow down on the new sanctions regimen.
Seven arrested in Iranian weapon smuggling plot
The UN Security Council is ready to tackle a new sanctions regimen for Iran. Tehran is placing more pressure on opposition media outlets and intellectuals. Italian authorities arrested Iranian arms smugglers.
The Qassed 2, Iran’s prototype for a laser-guided bomb. As the defense buildup in the Persian Gulf continues, Iranian Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hassan Shahsafi announced plans for Iran to test a prototype of the Qassed 2 (Farsi for “messenger”) laser-guided bomb. Iran’s experimentation with laser-guided bombs began in September 2006 with a series […]
The West gained momentum from the IAEA for new sanctions on Iran. Russia may back new sanctions. The Iranian Air Force prepared to test-fire the new Qassed 2, a laser-guided bomb.
The IAEA director said Iran is “not cooperating” with their investigation. Japan offered to send Iran 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel. The government released three journalists and three opposition members.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed that the IAEA “lacks independence” and its decisions “should not be influenced by the US and some (other) countries.” A top commander in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said “Europe will spend the winter in the chill” if Iran chooses.
How nuclear equipment reached Iran
Iran is ruled by a “cult,” opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi said. “This is the rule of a cult that has hijacked the concept of Iranianism and nationalism,” he said in an interview on his website. Iranian intelligence broke up a Wahabi terrorist group in the province of West Azarbaijan. Jundallah has named Muhammad Dhahir […]
Jundallah leader Abdul Malik Rigi, after his capture by Iranian intelligence. Just three days after Iran captured Abdul Malik Rigi, the government is claiming that the US supports Jundallah, Rigi’s terror group, which conducts suicide and other attacks in southeastern Iran. Here is what Rigi said during an interrogation, according to the Iranian-government owned and […]
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei dismissed cooperation with opposition groups. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah met with President Ahmadinejad in Syria. Jundallah leader Rigi claimed that US offered him military aid to work with the West.
Tehran said the IAEA’s new report on Iran’s nuclear program is misleading and biased. A senior Russian diplomat warned the West not to enact paralyzing sanctions against Iran’s energy and banking sectors. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak pushed for “severe sanctions” on Iran, during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Much has been written about whether the West can effectively sanction the Islamic Republic of Iran. For policymakers, sanctions remain an attractive option for either deterring or slowing the progress of Iran’s nuclear program. While there is disagreement over the effectiveness of sanctions, there are many creative ways the West can put the pinch on […]
Tehran again proposed a simultaneous swap of its uranium for prepared uranium rods to be used at its research reactor. This deal has already been rejected by the West. Iran denounced the assassination of a Hamas leader in Dubai.
Iran: Ahmadinejad aims for ‘global Islamic revolution’
Security forces detained Jundallah founder and leader Abdul Malik Rigi. Tehran announced plans to construct 10 new enrichment facilities this year. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak left for the United States to discuss Iranian nuclear proliferation efforts.
Abdul Malik Rigi, the founder and leader of Jundallah, was captured during an operation in eastern Iran, the Intelligence Ministry said.
Tehran planned construction for two new enrichment facilities. The Saudi foreign minister said sanctions are a last chance to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power. The speaker of parliament, Larijani, instructed President Obama to “do something about” Secretary of State Clinton’s style of diplomacy.
Iran’s police chief said the BBC and Voice of America are arms of the CIA and MI-6. French Prime Minister Fillon said the world would needs to “look into new measures” if Iran does not come clean on its nuclear program. Munich Re AG and Allianz SE suspended business with Iran.
Iran’s supreme leader denies nuclear report claims
A new IAEA report said Iran is working on weaponizing uranium and has not cooperated with the IAEA investigations. The White House said that Iran “is failing to meet its international obligations.”
In the midst of Iranian nuclear enrichment efforts, the International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA) has released a new report, written by Director Yukiya Amano, on the progress of Iran’s nuclear program as it pertains to the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions 1737, 1747, 1803, and 1835. Some key elements of the […]
Task force warns anew on terrorist funding from Iran
UN nuke agency worried Iran may be working on arms
Ayatollah Khameini delivered a speech in Tabriz stating that Iran “will never back down from its positions and it could by no means be intimidated by threats and oppositions.” President Ahmadinejad said that if the Israelis launch a new war against Hezbollah, the terror group should retaliate strongly enough to “close their case once and […]
The US, Russia, and France issued a joint warning to Iran to stop enrichment. Supreme Leader Aytollah Khameini said Iran won’t let “arrogant powers rule the world.” Russia delayed the shipment of t S-300 air defense missiles due to “technical problems.”
US encounters limits of Iran engagement policy
US Secretary of State Clinton said the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is supplanting clerical and civilian leadership in Tehran. President Ahmadinejad said that the West will “regret” any decision to move forward with further sanctions. The Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran fully supports nuclear disarmament in the Middle East.
Clinton: Iran is becoming a military dictatorship
During a visit to Doha, US Secretary of State Clinton said Iran was “drifting towards a military dictatorship.” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visited Moscow to garner Russia support for isolating Iran.