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Home > Publications > Iran Update > Issue 2.33 | ||
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Iran continues to make bold statements about increasing the number of centrifuges and accelerating uranium enrichment in direct violation of the sanctions of the United States and the UN Security Council. Several weeks ago, Iran released photos of its new generation of centrifuges that more rapidly spin natural uranium into the kind that is used for reactors or nuclear arms. These centrifuges, running twenty four hours a day at about the speed of sound, have now passed any limit that could possibly indicate that these are meant for generating electricity or any other peaceful purpose. Twice as fast as previous models, they could produce about four times the enrichment. This Iranian nuclear fuel cycle is meant to either provoke a retaliation or to prosecute the devastating threat that Ahmedinejad continually repeats—to attack Europe and the United States and to destroy Israel. Together with its ally Syria, Iran is moving toward direct confrontation with the West over nuclear weapons. It has come to light, say scientists and analysts, that Iran has crossed an important threshold in weapons development by acquiring the ability to put a nuclear warhead on a missile. This joint missile program recently enabled Iran to give one billion dollars to Syria to buy new ground-to-air missile systems from Russia, circumventing the possibility that Russia might not sell these systems to Iran.
Why would Iran flaunt these pictures, rather than hide them while continuing to lie to the UN and everyone else? To frighten their immediate neighbors into submission. To show they can defy UN sanctions, passed three times. To stare down the United States and Europe, despite the punishment of Iran’s economy. To dare the West into war. These days, we are hearing again about the military option still being on the table. We hear it from sources in the United States and in Israel. We hear Europe and the US talking about more and tougher sanctions and about major banks’ reluctance to deal with Iran. And a very worried Israel, only about a thousand miles away from Iran, is asking the United States for permission to connect directly to a global satellite system that detects missile launches anywhere in the world. Let us make no mistake, Iran must be stopped. There is no other option. IAEA Alarmed By Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Work - Inspectors from the IAEA are “alarmed” that Iran has in its possession a document describing the process what could be the core of a nuclear weapon. The chief US delegate to the IAEA said that the evidence in the report is cause for increased concerns. Although US intelligence says it has no plans to revise its recent estimate of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US intelligence chief made a visit to Israel to consult on Iran. President Bush and PM Olmert met recently and focused discussions on Iran as well. Secretary Rice warned that Iran could face more sanctions, while the EU’s Solana expressed plans to offer more incentives. Iran on Track for Nuclear Milestone - Iran has made big strides in its nuclear program in recent moths and may well pass an important threshold for nuclear weapons capability next year, scientists and analysts say. ‘Erase Israel’ Call Repeated by Tehran - Iranian Foreign Minister Mancouchehr Mottaki again called on the world’s Muslims to work to “erase” Israel, in another verbal attack against the Jewish state. Ahmedinejad Attacks Jews at UN Food Summit in Rome - The president of Iran said that the people of Europe have suffered most harm from Zionists. Hundreds of Jews protested his presence at the Colosseum. The World Jewish Congress protested Ahmedinejad’s presence to both Italian and FAO officials. Mofaz: If Iran Continues Developing Nuclear Weapons, Attack On Iran Unavoidable - It was the most explicit threat from a member of Olmert’s government which deems force as a last resort. Prime Minister Olmert distanced himself from that statement, having called for tighter international sanctions. Iran May Attack Israeli Targets Abroad Over Syria Talks - Israel is concerned that Iran may attack Israeli targets abroad in an effort to derail the renewed peace negotiations with Syria. Israel is also worried that Iran is continuing to deceive the international community about its nuclear program. Iran’s Parliament Warns West over Nuclear Cooperation - Iran’s parliament warned that current levels of cooperating with the UN nuclear watchdog were in danger if major powers continue to “kick around” the country’s disputed nuclear case. Iran has said that the US is pressuring the UN to probe its nuclear program. Syria Dismisses Israeli Demand on Iran; IAEA Pushes on Syria - Assad dismissed Israeli demands that Syria abandon an alliance with Iran as a requirement for a peace deal. Israel has said that peace with Syria depends on Syria breaking ties with Iran and Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran’s proxies. However, Syrian sources deny that Israel asked them to sever ties with Iran. A new wrinkle - the IAEA is sending a team to Syria to probe allegations of a secret nuclear reactor. Iran and Syria Sign Missile Pact - Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has created an independent missile command to be integrated with a Syrian missile program. Iran and Syria are signing other scientific agreements as well. Putin: Russia Opposed to Iran Achieving Nuclear Power Status - says that Middle East is too small a theater for using nuclear weapons-“it would be ‘suicide’.” Editorial, “Iran and the Times”, New York Sun, June 11, 2008 - The New York Times asserted in 1981 that Israel’s attack on the Osirak nuclear plant was a disaster. Later, the editorial page editor at that time conceded that the editorial had been a major mistake. Editorial, “Stop the Iran Saber Rattling and Give Diplomacy a Chance,” USA Today, June 11, 2008 - The focus of the international community, including the United States, has been on offering an incentive package of carrots and sticks. While military action should be on the table, efforts at diplomacy must be at the head. Amir Taheri, “The Problem with Talking to Iran,” Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2008 - Many countries on many continents have been negotiating with the mullahs for years, with nothing to show for it. How does one deal with a country of Iran’s nature? Editorial, “Iran and the Inspectors”, New York Times, May 28, 2008 - The latest report of the IAEA is a grim reminder that Tehran is pressing ahead with its nuclear program, and the United States and its allies need a strategy to contain it. Editorial, “Iran’s Failed ‘Litmus Test’”, Washington Post, May 28, 2008 - In August of 2007, the IAEA struck a deal with Iran for clearing up outstanding questions about its nuclear program within three months. Some six months after the expiration of the deadline, the IAEA issued a report saying that Iran had not acted in good faith and was engaging in delaying tactics. What leverage can be developed? Editorial, “A Critical Mess Over Iran,” Christian Science Monitor, May 30, 2008 - Iran has maintained its defiant stance, in spite of both sticks threatened and carrots offered. The US presidential candidates should be demanding that the UN tighten sanctions now, to save the next president from taking tougher action later. Joschka Fischer, “High Noon in the Middle East,’ Ha’aretz, May 30, 2008 - That Iran, whose president repeatedly calls for Israel’s annihilation, might one day have missiles with nuclear warhead is Israel’s worst security nightmare. Editorial, “Iran’s Endless Filibuster,” Economist, May 29, 2008 - The last UN sanctions resolution, just after the NIE report was published, was remarkable for its lack of ‘teeth’. The next one needs to be tough enough to make Iran sit up and blink. Thomas Friedman, “It’s All About Leverage,” New York Times, June 1, 2008 - The United States needs more leverage—allies, alternative energy sources, unity at home, the credible threat of force—to advance our diplomatic interests with Iran today. David B.Rivkin and Lee Casey, “Why Bush Must Still Confront Rogue States,” Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2008 - With less than a year to go in office, there is still a lot president Bush and his team can do about Iran and Syria if they act now to keep these regimes in the international spotlight. MEMRI, “Former Bahrain Chief of Staff: “Iran is an Octopus that Stirs Trouble”, June 5, 2008 - The former Bahraini Chief of Staff accused Iran of playing a part in the recent disturbances there, criticizing Iran’s interference in the affairs of other countries. Iran Assembly Moderates Seen as Criticizing President - The new parliament sat for the first time with a moderate conservative majority expected to criticize Ahmedinejad’s foreign and economic policies. Iran Makes it Hard Even for Benevolent Outsiders to Understand It - Its leaders proclaim both peace and war, and both democracy and theocracy in the same breath. Recently, the symptoms of hypocrisy have sharpened. Despite Mullahs, Iranian People Like America - Although the hate-filled clerical regime calls the US the “Great Satan”, the Iranian people themselves have a history of esteem for America. Iran Makes the Sciences a Part of its Revolution - Iran’s determination to develop what it says is a nuclear energy program is part of an effort to see Iran recognized as one of the world’s most advanced nations. But in Iran, scientists are also expected to serve ideological goals. Students in Iran Protest Poor Economic Conditions, Runaway Inflation Next ‘Weapon’ Against Iran May be Gasoline -Legislation is circulating in the US Congress that would punish oil traders that sell refined gasoline to Iran. US-Russia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement- A Mistake? - This accord, signed last month in Moscow, is meant to win Russian support for peaceful nuclear cooperation. But what about Russia’s support for Iran’s missile and nuclear weapons programs? Germany: Need to Pressure Iran on Nuclear Issue - The German foreign minister said that in light of the latest IEAE report on Iran’s lack of cooperation and unanswered questions, more pressure needs to be exerted on Iran. Ahmedinejad Orders Asset Transfer to Skirt EU Sanctions - Iran’s leading banks were ordered to transfer billions of dollars of assets from Europe to the Iranian Central Bank to prevent them from being frozen by international sanctions. Major Oil Companies Say US Restrictions Delay Iran Projects - Global oil and gas companies trying to investing Iran are increasingly finding that difficulties in accessing US technology because of sanctions are forcing them to delay planned investments in Iran. Iran and Japan Seek to Strengthen Cooperation - While in Rome at the FAO conference, Ahmedinejad was refused meetings by Berlusconi and Pope Benedict XVI. He did, however, meet for one half hour with the Japanese Prime Minister. Judge Gives Terror Victims a Victory Over Iran - A federal judge in Chicago is handing a victory to terror victims seeking to seize Iranian artifacts from the University of Chicago and Field Museum. Iran: Three Young Men Face Gallows - The three are under the age of 18 and there are at least 75 juveniles on death row in Iran. Women, Men Arrested and Maltreated for Wearing “ Inappropriate” Outfits Missile Attack on Ashraf Called “act of war” and Considered “war crime” - The head of the Iranian Resistance Council called the attack on Ashraf in Iraq a war crime, saying that Ashraf residents, who oppose the Iranian clerical regime, have had no weapons for the past 5 years and are protected by the coalition forces. Protests at Iran, Zimbabwe Presence at FAO Summit - Political leaders, activists, and Jewish groups criticized the attendance of the leaders of Iran and Zimbabwe at the UN food organization conference, calling it “obscene”. The Pope did not meet with Ahmedinejad, despite the request of the Iranian president. Tehran’s Proxies Launch Missile Attack in Iraq - The attacks were launched against Ashraf city, the residence of the main Iranian opposition movement. Iranian Aid Seen Growing Among Terrorists on Israel’s Flanks - Rockets and weapons bearing sign of Iranian lettering and serial numbers are making their way into the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, helping Iran cement its powerful role. arming Israel Frees Hezbollah Spy, Gets IDF Solders’ Remains - Israel handed over a convicted Hezbollah spy to Lebanon and in a surprise move, the Islamic terrorist group turned over what it said were the remains of Israeli soldiers killed in 2006. |