Tensions On Iran's Nuclear Program Continues -- News Roundup February 22, 2012

Nuclear Watchdog Team Disappointed After Iran Visit -- CNN

(CNN) -- Two days of talks in Iran went nowhere and the frustration of the global nuclear watchdog agency was palpable in the terse statement it issued afterward.

The International Atomic Energy Agency team could not make progress with Iran. Nor was it able to to visit a military base at Parchin, southeast of Tehran before leaving the country Tuesday.

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More News On Iran's Nuclear Program

UN nuclear inspectors declare Iran mission a disappointment -- The Guardian
IAEA mission to Iran ends in failure; Iran still defiant -- Washington Post
UN nuclear watchdog quits Iran after atomic talks fail -- National Post/Reuters
Iran 'bars' IAEA nuclear inspectors from Parchin site -- BBC
Iran Defiant as IAEA Talks Break Down -- Voice of America
UN watchdog 'denied access to key Iran site' -- Al Jazeera
The site Iran doesn't want inspectors to see -- CNN

Iran Has No Pre-Emptive Strike Policy: Ambassador -- Bloomberg
Iran says pre-emptive strike on 'enemies' possible -- BBC
Iranian commander issues new warning to 'enemies' -- L.A. Times

Russia warns against 'catastrophic' Iran strike -- The Telegraph
Nuclear talks failure heightens Iran tensions -- Arab News
US Warns Against War With Iran -- NPR/The Nation

Israel's risky option on Iran -- Dalia Dassa Kaye, L.A. Times
The test of talking to Iran -- Washington Post editorial
What Will Iran Do if it Gets a Nuclear Bomb? -- Micah Zenko, The Atlantic

Iran News Updates -- June 17, 2010

Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi looks at Nasr 1 missiles during a ceremony to inaugurate the Nasr-1 cruise missile production line at an undisclosed location in Iran March 7, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters, File Photo)

Europe Could Face Hundreds Of Iran Missiles - Gates -- Reuters

WASHINGTON, June 17 (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence showing Iran likely would have the capability to attack Europe with "scores or even hundreds" of missiles factored into the Obama administration's decision to overhaul missile defenses, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday.

Citing the growing Iranian missile threat, the United States announced plans last September to integrate sea- and land-based missile defenses in and around its NATO allies in Europe, referred to as the "phased adaptive approach."

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More News On Iran

Iran could fire 'hundreds' of missiles at Europe: Gates -- AFP
Russia 'schizophrenic' on Iran: US defense chief -- AFP
Russia 'schizophrenic' on Iran -- Straits Times
Iran to retaliate if planes, ships inspected: speaker -- Xinhuanet
Europe Widens Iran Sanctions -- Wall Street Journal
European Union approves tougher Iran sanctions -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News
As US and EU slap on more Iran sanctions, Russia is miffed -- Christian Science Monitor
FACTBOX-EU, U.S. and U.N. sanctions on Iran -- Reuters
Iranian military not to be affected by UN sanctions: defense minister -- Xinhuanet
Iran Says It Doesn’t Need Arms Imports Banned by UN -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Iran starting work on new nuclear reactor, official says -- CNN
Iran Tests Iraqi Resolve at the Border -- New York Times
Eyeing Iran, Saudis upgrade F-15 fleet -- UPI
Cleric Says Iran Should Produce Nuclear Arms -- New York Times/AP

Iran Is Now A Nuclear State -- News Updates For February 11, 2010

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses tens of thousands of Iranians gathered in Azadi (Freedom) Square in southwestern Tehran today, marking the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution

Iran Is Now A 'Nuclear State' Says Ahmadinejad As Thousands Take To The Streets -- The Daily Mail

* Security forces fire tear gas and paint balls on opposition protesters
* Internet connections attacked in Tehran as regime tries to foil opposition
* Opposition leader attacked

Iran is now a 'nuclear state', President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced this morning.

He spoke as tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Tehran to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

There are fears of violence as opposition and pro-government supporters are expected to meet at rallies in a show of popular strength unmatched since the revolution itself.

Today Ahmadinejad told scores of cheering Iranians that the Islamic Republic is capable of producing weapons-grade uranium.

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More News On Iran

'Tense' Iran marks anniversary, confirms nuclear breakthrough -- CNN
Iran Claims Nuclear Gain as Protesters Clash -- New York Times
Clashes reported as Iran marks Revolution Day -- Reuters
Protesters Clash With Police As Iran Marks Islamic Revolution -- L.A. Times
Iran opposition leaders 'attacked' on revolution day -- AFP
Opposition protests in Iran amid revolution celebrations -- BBC
Iran marks 31st anniversary of Islamic Revolution -- BBC
Tensions Flare in Tehran as Government Supporters, Protesters Gather -- Wall Street Journal
Iran's Anniversary: The Opposition Tries to Thwart a Crackdown -- Time Magazine
Iran protests news - Google to be blocked, Twitter next? -- San Francisco Chronicle
Iranian opposition facing a choice: Moderation or new, radical course -- Washington Post
TIMELINE-Opposition protests in Iran -- Reuters

Ahmadinejad hails 'nuclear' Iran -- AFP
Iran 'makes first batch of 20% enriched uranium' -- BBC
Iran proclaims new success in uranium enrichment -- Yahoo News/AP
Iran Claims Nuclear Gain as Protesters Clash -- New York Times
Iran Makes Batch of Highly Enriched Uranium -- Time Magazine/AP
Technical setbacks cause Iran to falter in push to enrich uranium, report says -- Washington Post

US wants UN sanctions resolution on Iran within weeks -- Reuters
US to Target Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps with New Sanctions -- Voice of America
Treasury Dept. sanctions four firms for ties to Iran's arms programs -- Washington Post
ANALYSIS - China silence signals softening on Iran sanctions -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Renewed focus on China position on Iran sanctions -- Yahoo News/AP

Iran News Updates -- December 14, 2009

Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant (file photo)

Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program: Explosive Deceit -- Times Online Editorial

The exposure of Iran’s programme to test an essential component of a nuclear weapon confirms a pattern of duplicity by a bellicose regime.

Winston Churchill described the actions of Russia as a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. The nuclear diplomacy of Iran is constructed more simply: it is one lie after another. Western diplomacy has proved susceptible to the tactic. A US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) in December 2007 concluded that Iran was “less determined to develop nuclear weapons than we have been judging since 2005”. Documents obtained by The Times reveal that this assessment was worthless.

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My Comment: While the Europeans are now voicing their lack of patience with Iran, as well as rejecting the lies that Iran has been continuously voicing, the White House has adopted (according to Amir Tehiri) a compltely different approach.

More News On Iran

Western, U.N. officials assess secret Iranian document -- Washington Post
Iran 'testing nuclear bomb part' -- Press Association
Iran's finger on nuclear trigger -- New Zealand Herald
Secret document exposes Iran’s nuclear trigger -- Times Online
Report: Iran working on testing nuke bomb component -- YNET News
Report: Iran testing key nuclear bomb component -- Haaretz
Discovery of UD3 raises fears over Iran’s nuclear intentions -- Times Online
Taiwan probes reports of nuclear-linked sales to Iran -- Reuters
Leaked memo identifies man at head of Iran’s nuclear programme -- Times Online
West decries Iran's latest nuclear offer -- Wall Street Journal
Iran offers to swap enriched uranium for atomic fuel -- Montreal Gazette/AFP
West Decries Iran's Latest Nuclear Offer -- Wall Street Journal
White House: Iran’s Latest Nuclear Offer Insufficient -- Wall Street Journal

Iran Says 3 Americans to Face Trial -- New York Times
Iran to try 3 Americans who crossed Iraqi border -- AP
Iran to try detained US citizens -- Al Jazeera
Iran to put 3 U.S. hikers on trial -- CBC
Iran to try US hikers charged with spying -- The Guardian

Iran makes arrests over torn ayatollah photo -- AP
Iran's Supreme Leader lashes out at opposition and threatens action -- Voice of America
Burning of Ayatollah Khomeini's picture sparks uproar in Iran -- L.A. Times
Mousavi vows more protests as regime makes arrests -- AFP
Top cleric Ayatollah Khamenei piles pressure on Iran's opposition leaders -- The Guardian
Defiling of pictures of Khomeini divides Iran -- New York Times

Iran News Updates -- December 10, 2009

Three missiles rise into the air as a forth remains in the launcher on the ground during a test-firing in an undisclosed location in the Iranian desert. Photograph: AFP/Getty images

Experts Say Iran Has Clear Path To Nuclear Weapons -- Jerusalem Post

Last week the Harvard Kennedy School held a simulation game of the Iranian nuclear crisis, and Israel should be very concerned about its course and its outcome.

The game made it clear: Iran will not stop on its path to producing nuclear weapons. The United States will not embark on a military action and will find it difficult to enlist support at the United Nations for imposing more severe sanctions, while relations between Israel and the United States will deteriorate.

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More News On Iran

'Iran can now produce nuclear bomb' -- Jerusalem Post
Nuclear row: Tehran threatens to target Israel -- The Guardian
Iran Says it Will Strike Israel's Nuclear Sites if Attacked -- FOX News
Iranian minister threatens Israel in the event of any 'threat' -- Jerusalem Post
Iran: Seismic Station in Turkmenistan Built for 'Spying' -- Voice of America

Iran intel chief warns of extent of opposition -- AP
Iran's intelligence minister hits out at Rafsanjani -- Reuters
Iran Intelligence Minister Hits At Rafsanjani -- Radio Free Europe

Government Promises Students More Death Sentences -- Strategy Page
Amnesty: Iran violations worst in 20 years -- Jerusalem Post
Iran's Democratic Moment -- Amir Taheri, Wall Street Journal

Iran Accuses US and Saudis of Kidnapping a Nuclear Scientist -- L.A. Times
Iran, Saudi Arabia tensions rise over missing scientist -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News

World powers could hold Iran meeting next week -- AP
Russia says it remains opposed to sanctions against Iran -- China View

Iran News Updates -- September 30, 2009

What's the point of nuclear talks if Iran won't talk about their program? -- RT News

Tehran Promises To Let Inspectors In, As Sanctions Loom -- Times Online

Iran sought to deflect international outrage over its newly discovered clandestine nuclear plant yesterday, denying that it had any military purpose and promising to allow inspections.

The comments by the country’s nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, came in the run-up to crucial talks tomorrow between Iran and six foreign powers, with questions about the hidden facility expected to top the agenda.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard have staged two days of missile test-firing, aimed at demonstrating their readiness to respond to any military attack.

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More News On Iran

UN Chief Says Iran Must Prove Its Sincerity on Nuclear Issue -- Washington Post
West goes to Iran talks and readies sanctions -- AP
Iran says to enter Geneva talks with good intentions -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Iran: Talks with 6 nations will test their respect -- Yahoo News/AP
Iranian Lawmakers Warn West Ahead of Nuclear Talks -- Voice of America
Iran Dashes Hopes of Talks on Secret Nuclear Plant -- The Daily Telegraph
Iran Offers Conflicting Messages -- L.A. Times

Iran broke law by not declaring atom site - ElBaradei -- Reuters
Iran on 'wrong side of law': UN nuclear watchdog -- AFP
IAEA: Iran broke law by not revealing nuclear facility -- CNN

British intelligence believes Iran has resumed work on nuclear warhead -- The Telegraph
Britain differs from U.S. view on Iran bomb design -- Reuters

Israel Mutes its Rhetoric Against Iran as Talks Loom -- L.A. Times
Saudi Arabia: We did not grant Israel airspace for potential attack on Iran -- Al Bawaba
Analysis: Iran plant could defer Israel strike -- AP

China’s Ties With Iran Complicate Diplomacy -- New York Times
Oil, Ideology Keep China From Joining Push Against Iran -- Washington Post
Chinese oil demand fueling Iranian defiance -- CNN

Iranian Students Stage 2nd Big Protest Since Returning to University Campuses -- New York Times
OPEC supply cushion offsets Iran oil worry -Kuwait -- Reuters

Commentaries And Analysis

We've Been Talking to Iran for 30 Years -- Michael Ledeen, Wall Street Journal opinion.
The Iran Charade -- Rich Lowry, National Review opinion.
Obama's Iran Talks Will Fail -- Washington Times editorial.
Three Pressure Points to Make Iran Crumble -- Rosemary Righter, The Times opinion
A Human Rights Lever for Iran -- Andrew Albertson and Ali G. Scotten, Washington Post opinion.
Lifting Iran’s Nuclear Veil -- Gary Milhollin and Valerie Lincy, New York Times opinion.
Forget the Nukes -- Robert Kagan, Washington Post opinion.

Iran Says No To Halting Its Nuclear Program -- Iran News Updates Spetember 7, 2009

Nuclear Agency Said to Be in ‘Stalemate’ With Iran -- New York Times

BEIRUT, Lebanon — The head of the United Nations nuclear oversight agency said Monday that his organization was in a “stalemate” with Iran over its suspected nuclear program, just after the Iranian president affirmed once again that his country would not stop uranium enrichment or negotiate over its nuclear rights.

Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the group’s 35-nation board that Iran had not stopped enriching uranium or answered lingering questions about its nuclear program. He urged Iran to “substantively re-engage” with the nuclear agency, and to “respond positively to the recent U.S. initiative” on a dialogue about nuclear issues.

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More News On Iran

Ahmadinejad: Iran won't halt nuclear work -- Yahoo News/AP
UN watchdog warns of nuclear 'stalemate' with Iran -- Yahoo News/AP
Iran rules out talks on its nuclear "rights" -- Reuters
Ahmadinejad defiant as nuclear watchdog chief laments 'stalemate' -- L.A. Times
Iran ready to talk but nuclear discussions 'off limits' -- CNN
Iran's Ahmadinejad Refuses to Negotiate Nuclear 'Right' -- Voice of America
Iran cover-up allegations baseless, must stop - IAEA -- Reuters
Accusations fly at IAEA over Iran -- BBC
IAEA head denies accusations on Iran nukes -- JTA
TIMELINE - Iran's nuclear programme -- Reuters
High support for new Iran sanctions -- Financial Times
Arms dealer’s arrest exposes Iran’s smuggling -- MSNBC/AP
Recent arrest brings Iran’s clandestine operations within the U.S. to the forefront -- The Examiner
Arms dealer's arrest exposes Iran's smuggling -- AP
Iran Canceling Major Ramadan Events in Wake of Election Protests -- Washington Post
Ex-President Denounces Iran’s Government -- Robert F. Worth, New York Times
Khamenei Cracks Down on Iran's University Students -- Newsweek
Iran may purge schools of Western thought -- UPI
Iran Announces Plan to Purge Universities of Western Influences -- L.A. Times
US Scholar on Trial in Iran -- Washington Times
Iran probe of detained Americans to take time: report -- Reuters
Iran sees no quick fix for 3 detained US hikers -- AFP
Venezuela to export gasoline to Iran -- CNN
Iran inflation dips to 20.2% in August -- AFP

Iran News Updates -- August 31, 2009

Image: A general view shows the reactor at the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, 1200 kilometers south of Tehran. Pre-commissioned in late February, the Bushehr plant is the first nuclear power plant to produce electricity for Iran. Photo from Press TV

Israel, Iran and Obama -- Wall Street Journal Commentary

Conflict is inevitable unless the West moves quickly to stop a nuclear Tehran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has produced another alarming report on Iran's nuclear programs, though it hasn't released it publicly, only to governments that would also rather not disclose more details of Iran's progress toward becoming a nuclear theocracy. Meanwhile, Iran intends to introduce a resolution, backed by more than 100 members of the so-called Non-Aligned Movement, that would ban military attacks on nuclear facilities. No actual mention of Israel, of course.

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More News On Iran

6 nations to hold meeting on Iran in Germany -- AP
NATO interest in Iran increasing -- Jerusalem Post
Iran's nuclear program has military aspects, says IAEA -- Haaretz
Iran Claims Report 'Vindicated' Nuclear Program -- Voice of America
Israel accuses IAEA of hiding Iran information -- JTA
Cheney Says He Was Proponent for Military Action Against Iran -- Wall Street Journal
Iran Arms Remained Sealed -- Wall Street Journal
Weapons Seizure Turns Spotlight Onto Two Rogue States -- CNS News
Storm over North Korea-Iran arms vessel -- Asia Times
Panel in Iran Will Oversee Investigations Into Unrest -- New York Times
Hard-line Iranian prosecutor fired -- L.A. Times
Tehran prosecutor 'promoted' into obscurity? -- L.A. Times
Iran's president defends Cabinet amid skepticism -- AP
Fight resumes over Iran cabinet -- BBC
Pressuring Iran on Nukes: Would a Gas Embargo Help? -- Time Magazine
Israel Has Iran in its Sights -- Micah Zenko, Los Angeles Times opinion.
A Libyan Lesson In Tehran -- Jim Hoagland, Washington Post opinion